Patrol Car Allocation Model - Executive Summary (1975)

• NCJ Number: 30302
• Date Published: September 1975
• Author(s): J M Chaiken; P Dormont
• Length: 23 pages
• Grant Number(s): 75-NI-99-0012
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored; Rand Corporation
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)

Annotation

DESCRIBES HOW THE MODEL CAN BE USED FOR POLICY ANALYSIS, HOW IT WORKS, AND WHAT DATA ARE REQUIRED.

Abstract

THE PATROL CAR ALLOCATION MODEL (PCAM) IS A COMPUTER PROGRAM WRITTEN IN FORTRAN AND AVAILABLE TO POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN EITHER AN INTERACTIVE OR BATCH VERSION FOR THE COST OF COPYING AND POSTAGE. IT CAN BE USED TO ANALYZE ANY POLICY QUESTION RELATED TO THE NUMBER OF PATROL CARS OR PATROL OFFICERS A DEPARTMENT SHOULD HAVE ON DUTY DURING EACH TOUR IN EACH GEOGRAPHICAL COMMAND, OR THE TIMES OF DAY AT WHICH TOURS SHOULD START. THE MODEL HAS TWO CAPABILITIES: TO DESCRIBE PERFORMANCE MEASURES FOR THE EXISTING ALLOCATION OR ANY ALLOCATION PROPOSED BY THE USER, OR TO RECOMMEND ALLOCATIONS MEETING SPECIFIED STANDARDS. IT CAN BE USED BY PERSONNEL WITHOUT PROGRAMMING KNOWLEDGE. SEE ALSO NCJ-30303 AND 30304. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT) (SNI ABSTRACT)