NCJ Number
123507
Journal
Police Volume: 22 Issue: 6 Dated: (March 1990) Pages: 17-20
Date Published
1990
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The British Association of Chief Police Officers, the Police Superintendents' Association, and the Police Federation reviewed the cost-effectiveness of the country's police forces.
Abstract
Economy, effectiveness, and efficiency issues are forcing police managers to concentrate resources on quantifiable aspects of police work, to the exclusion of the traditional service role that is less straightforward to measure. The review of police forces, therefore, focused on: the extent to which police patrol duties have been eroded by other demands since 1974; national and local police initiatives to improve effectiveness and efficiency; and the impact of political, economic, social, and technological changes on police services over the next 5 years. It was found that police budgets have not kept pace with demands since 1974 and that police effectiveness has been reduced. The review determined that police officers must be encouraged to have a service commitment, that service efficiency does not equate to service quality, and that information technology is currently a major weakness. A survey of police officers indicated that morale is satisfactory. Police see response to emergencies as the main priority, with crime prevention and community policing less important. A public opinion survey found that most people believe too few police officers patrol in their areas. Police favored firm policing, while the public supported greater discretion and a caring approach.