TESTIMONY OF GLEN D KING, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE, BEFORE THE SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL LAWS AND PROCEDURES, AUGUST 23, 1978

• NCJ Number: 50308
• Author(s): G D KING
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 20 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE WITNESS ARGUES FOR THE MAJOR REVISION OR THE DISBANDMENT OF LEAA ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE AGENCY HAS NOT ATTENDED TO THE NEEDS AND GOALS OF POLICE AGENCIES. A 1976 SURVEY IS CITED TO DESCRIBE ATTITUDES TOWARDS LEAA.

Abstract

THE WITNESS TESTIFIES AS THE OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (IACP). IT IS STATED THAT LEAA HAS IGNORED POLICE PRACTITIONERS IN PLANNING AND CARRYING OUT LEAA PROGRAMS THAT AFFECT POLICE WORK. SPECIFIC LEAA REGULATIONS AND PLANS ARE DISCUSSED AS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE. THE IACP FEELS THAT TOO MUCH STRESS IS PUT ON SOCIAL AREAS OF RESEARCH TO THE DETRIMENT OF NEEDED TECHNOLOGICAL AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH PROJECTS. THERE SHOULD BE AN EMPHASIS ON FUNDING PROGRAMS IN HIGH-CRIME AREAS, BUT IT SHOULD BE IN BALANCE WITH THE NEEDS OF SMALL RURAL COMMUNITIES AND SUBURBAN AREAS. TO ILLUSTRATE THE VIEW OF POLICE EXECUTIVES TOWARDS LEAA, THE WITNESS SUMMARIZES A 1976 SURVEY CONDUCTED BY IACP. A QUESTIONNAIRE WAS SENT TO CHIEFS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES INQUIRING ABOUT PERCEPTIONS OF LEAA AND ITS STRUCTURES, FUNDING POLICIES AND PRACTICES, AND THE IMPACT OF CERTAIN PROGRAMS. THE 1,619 RESPONSES WERE ANALYZED AND THE SAMPLE WAS CATEGORIZED AS TO DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS AND FUNDING EXPERIENCE. RESPONDENTS FAVORED THE PROVISION OF FEDERAL FUNDS, BUT FELT THAT STATE AND LOCAL DEPARTMENTS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO MAKE POLICY AND TACTICAL DECISIONS. RESPONDENTS WERE CRITICAL OF LEAA PRIORITIES, FELT THAT FUNDS WERE NOT ALLOCATED ON A FAIR BASIS, AND FELT THAT THE COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN LEAA AGENCIES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WERE NOT EFFICIENT. THEY RESPONDED THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT IS NOT ADEQUATELY REPRESENTED IN PLANNING AND POLICYMAKING BODIES. REGARDING SPECIFIC KINDS OF PROGRAMS, RESPONDENTS BELIEVED THAT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FUNDING SHOULD NOT TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECTS. PROGRAMS THAT WERE FAVORED ARE LAW ENFORCEMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. AGENCIES WITH MORE THAN 500 PERSONS, USUALLY THE RECIPIENTS OF MORE LEAA FUNDS, WERE MORE POSITIVE IN RESPONSES TOWARDS LEAA PROJECTS AND FUNDING THAN THOSE WITH LESS THAN 500 PERSONS. REGARDING THE CONTINUATION OF LEAA, 53 PERCENT FAVORED CONTINUATION WHILE 47 PERCENT OPPOSED IT. (DAG)