NCJ Number
14925
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 41 Issue: 9 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1974) Pages: 47-49
Date Published
1974
Length
3 pages
Annotation
POLICE MANPOWER/WORKLOAD ANALYSIS SYSTEM TO DETERMINE MOST EFFICIENT BEAT FORMULATIONS.
Abstract
UNIT BEAT POLICING ASSUMES THAT CRIME CAN BE PREVENTED THROUGH VARIOUS TECHNIQUES SUCH AS TARGET HARDENING, CITIZEN COOPERATION, AND INCREASED BEAT FAMILIARITY OF THE PATROL OFFICER. A MANPOWER WORKLOAD ANALYSIS WAS UNDERTAKEN TO PROVIDE AN OPTIMUM DIVISION OF ARLINGTON COUNTY INTO WORKABLE POLICING SECTORS FOR THESE UNITS. SUCH FACTORS AS CALLS FOR SERVICE, LENGTH OF CALL, OPTIMUM TIME SPENT IN CRIME PREVENTION, AND TIME CONSUMED BY CALLS AND ARRESTS WERE CONSIDERED IN CALCULATING THE NECESSARY NUMBER OF BEATS. COMPUTER ANALYSIS OF TYPE, NUMBER AND SERIOUSNESS OF CALL IN RELATION TO SEVERAL HUNDRED REPORTING AREAS WAS USED TO DETERMINE EFFICIENT DISTRIBUTIONS OF FORCES. THE AVAILABLE MANPOWER WAS THEN MATCHED AS CLOSELY AS POSSIBLE TO THE PRESCRIBED FORMULATION. THE WORKLOAD DISTRIBUTION ANALYSIS, DESIGNED TO AID THE PATROL FORCE, HAS ALSO BEEN OF USE TO OTHER SECTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS OUTSIDE AGENCIES IN DETERMINING LEVELS OF REPORTED CRIMES AND PATROL ACTIVITY.