NCJ Number
74723
Date Published
Unknown
Length
170 pages
Annotation
Findings and conclusions are reported from an evaluation of the first 18 months of operation of the Oxnard Integrated Criminal Apprehension Program (ICAP) in California.
Abstract
The program's goal was to develop organizational mechanisms to most effectively and efficiently prevent crime and apprehend targeted offenders and other serious offenders. The management of patrol operations to achieve this goal was emphasized. ICAP operations to date have emphasized development of Crime Analysis Unit capabilities, implementation of a field tactical unit to concentrate on robbery and burglary, improvement of the allocation of patrol resources, and provision of long-range planning assistance to the city of Oxnard. The evaluation focused on effort, effect, and process. Official records and surveys of police department staff and community officials were used to gather evaluation data. Results showed that all of the primary ICAP objectives were accomplished and several innovative steps were implemented. The police department has implemented an outstanding crime analysis unit, achieved impressive results with its field tactical unit, implemented a program of directed patrol for the entire patrol bureau, and provided extensive analytical help to the city's urban development process. However, several problem areas were revealed in the evaluation design. For example, baseline data for years prior to 1978 were questionable due to recordkeeping problems in the Oxnard Police Department. Therefore, future evaluations will need to use 1978 as the baseline year for assessment of crime rate changes. Additional evaluation problems and proposed solutions are described. A descriptions of the next phase of evaluation, tables, footnotes, sample forms, and appendixes presenting excerpts from the detailed evaluation design and two surveys of organizational climate are provided.