NCJ Number
156758
Date Published
Unknown
Length
42 pages
Annotation
An analysis of the use of volunteers by county governments was used to assess whether and how the Cincinnati Police Division could use volunteers to help cope with increasing workloads in a period of restricted funding.
Abstract
The analysis revealed that other public and private agencies have long used volunteers to supplement their output. Four types of volunteer programs for law enforcement agencies were identified. Internal volunteers work in agency offices and facilities to fill in or augment staff functions. External volunteers work outside the agency, performing mostly expert functions similar to their occupations. Community volunteers are typified by block watchers and citizen patrols. Auxiliary police officers are fully authorized officers who work on weekend nights, at special events, and other times and places where additional personnel are needed. Factors involved in the use of volunteers include executive commitment, needs assessment, the roles of volunteers, benefits, organizational placement, costs, union concerns, legalities, confidentiality, security, staff acceptance, and common assumptions about volunteers. Management factors include changed policies and procedures, office space and equipment, transportation, parking, and volunteer recruitment and supervision. A task force is recommended to address these issues in Cincinnati. Appended lists of volunteers and related information, and 35 references (Author abstract modified)