NCJ Number
43699
Date Published
1977
Length
106 pages
Annotation
FINDINGS OF A SURVEY OF 1,619 POLICE EXECUTIVES REGARDING ATTITUDES TOWARD STRUCTURE OF LEAA, ITS FUNDING POLICIES AND PRACTICES, & THE IMPACT OF CERTAIN LEAA PROGRAMS ARE PRESENTED BY AGENCY SIZE AND FUNDS RECEIVED 1972-1976.
Abstract
IN DECEMBER 1976, THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE MAILED SURVEY INSTRUMENTS TO 3,396 POLICE EXECUTIVES; 48 PERCENT WERE RETURNED FOR A TOTAL OF 1,619 RESPONSES. IN GENERAL, THE PROVISION OF FEDERAL FUNDS TO SUPPORT STATE AND LOCAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACTIVITIES WAS APPROVED. HOWEVER, RESPONDENTS WERE CRITICAL OF LEAA PRIORITIES, FEELING THEY DO NOT CORRESPOND TO LOCAL PRIORITIES. AGENCIES SURVEYED DID NOT FEEL LEAA HAS ALLOCATED FUNDS FAIRLY AMONG POLICE, COURTS, AND CORRECTIONS, BUT ALSO FELT THAT ALL THREE BRANCHES SHOULD BE FUNDED. ALL SIZES OF CITIES AND ALL CATEGORIES OF FUND RECIPIENTS FELT LEAA SHOULD SOLICIT LOCAL VIEWPOINTS AND BASE PROGRAMS ON THEM. THE PRIORITIES OF STATE PLANNING AGENCIES (SPA'S) AND REGIONAL AND LOCAL PLANNING GROUPS WERE NOT SEEN BY LOCAL POLICE AGENCIES AS MEETING AGENCY NEEDS. ON THE OTHER HAND, STATE AGENCIES WERE NOT SO CRITICAL OF SPA FUNDING PRIORITIES AND FELT THAT SPA'S SHOULD CHANNEL FUNDS TO DEPARTMENTS UNDER A COMPREHENSIVE STATE PLAN. ALSO, AGENCIES WITH MORE THAN 500 MEMBERS AND THOSE RECEIVING MORE THAN $100,000 IN THE LAST 4 YEARS WERE LESS CRITICAL OF SPA PRIORITIES AND FELT THAT LOCAL AND REGIONAL GROUPS MET THEIR NEEDS. AGENCIES FELT USEFULNESS AND TIMELINESS OF INFORMATION CONCERNING PROGRAM AND POLICY CHANGES WHICH AFFECT SPECIFIC GRANTS COULD BE IMPROVED. RESPONDENTS, FOR THE MOST PART, SUPPORTED FUNDING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AS A WHOLE BUT FELT THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT IS NOT ADEQUATELY REPRESENTED ON REGIONAL OR LOCAL PLANNING BOARDS OR ON SPA POLICYMAKING BODIES. IT WAS FELT THAT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FUNDING SHOULD NOT TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECTS. THE LAW ENFORCEMENT/CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION PROGRAM, IN PARTICULAR, RECEIVED WIDESPREAD, STRONG SUPPORT FROM THE SAMPLE. THE SURVEY INSTRUMENT IS APPENDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)