NCJ Number
68617
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 28 Issue: 6 Dated: (JUNE 1980) Pages: 44-46,48-50
Date Published
1980
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THIS JOURNAL ARTICLE DESCRIBES THE TEAM POLICING CONCEPT USED IN INDIANAPOLIS ALONG WITH THE RESULTS FROM THE PROGRAM'S FIRST EVALUATION.
Abstract
VARIOUS TYPES OF TEAM POLICING SYSTEMS ARE USED: (1) A COMMANDER OVER THE PATROL FUNCTION DETERMING THE 24-HOUR MANPOWER DEPLOYMENT ON A DAILY BASIS; (2) A COMMANDER OVER THE PATROL AND INVESTIGATIONS FUNCTION FOR A SPECIFIC AREA; (3) EACH BEAT WITH A SET NUMBER OF MEN PROVIDING 24-HOUR PATROL; (4) PATROL FUNCTION DIVIDED BY TIME OF DAY WITH ALL PERSONNEL HAVING THE SAME DAYS OFF WITH HOURS OF WORK AND DAYS OFF STAGGERED; AND (5) COMPLETE POLICE SERVICE DELIVERED TO AN AREA CONTROLLED BY A COMMANDER. THE INDIANAPOLIS DEPARTMENT BEGAN TEAM POLICING IN 1976 AND EXPERIENCED ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS, SUCH AS PATROL OFFICERS ANSWERING TO DIFFERENT SUPERVISORS AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND PERSONS OF COMMAND RANK ANSWERING TO PERSONS OF THE SAME RANK. AFTER 14 MONTHS THE DEPARTMENT HANDED OUT QUESTIONAIRES AIMED AT DETERMINING POLICE TEAM PERSONNEL ATTITUDES TOWARD THE NEW CONCEPT. THERE WERE 330 RESPONSES TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE. COMMUNICATIONS WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION OF THE 33 PERCENT RESPONDING TO THAT QUESTION. ALTHOUGH 52.1 PERCENT OF THE RESPONDENTS INDICATED THAT TEAM POLICING NEEDED SOME CHANGES, VERY FEW MADE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGES. THE MAJORITY OF PERSONNEL DID NOT PREFER TEAM POLICING TO A MORE TRADITIONAL ATMOSPHERE. OTHER CATEGORIES OF QUESTIONS DRAWING NEGATIVE COMMENTS WERE THOSE REGARDING ATTITUDE AND MORALE, EQUIPMENT, LEADERSHIP AND SUPERVISION, ORGANIZATION, AND LACK OF MANPOWER. THE ARTICLE CONCLUDES THAT TEAM POLICING NEEDS THE SUPPORT OF THOSE WHO ARE TO ADMINISTER, SUPERVISE, AND EXECUTE THE PROGRAM. ADMINISTRATION PROBLEMS MUST BE CORRECTED. (JLF)