NCJ Number
14771
Journal
Public Management Volume: 55 Issue: 4 Dated: (APRIL 1973) Pages: 16-19
Date Published
1973
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE DIFFICULTIES IN MEASURING PRODUCTIVITY FOR AGENCIES SUCH AS THE POLICE, THE NEED FOR ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE POLICE, AND TWELVE POSSIBLE PRODUCTIVITY MEASUREMENT INDICATORS FOR POLICE ACTIVITY ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE MOST USEFUL APPROACH TO THE COMPLEXITIES OF MEASURING POLICE CRIME CONTROL ACTIVITY IS SEEN AS THE COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS OF A VARIETY OF INDICATORS, AS NO SINGLE PRODUCTIVITY MEASUREMENT FUNCTION IS A COMPLETE MEASURE OF PRODUCTIVITY. THE AUTHORS SUGGEST 12 MEASUREMENT INDICATORS, FIVE OF WHICH CAN BE USED IMMEDIATELY AND SEVEN OF WHICH REQUIRE SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION COLLECTION. THESE INDICATORS INCLUDE CRIME RATE, CLEARANCE RATE, AND ARREST, CLEARANCE OR POPULATION SERVED FOR POLICE EMPLOYEE OR PER THOUSAND DOLLAR EXPENDITURE. MEASURES REQUIRING ADDITIONAL DATA INCLUDE CRIME RATES AND CLEARANCE RATES BASED ON VICTIMIZATION SURVEY DATA, PERCENT OF ARRESTS THAT LEAD TO CONVICTIONS, PERCENT OF ARRESTED SURVIVING COURT OF LIMITED JURISDICTION, AVERAGE RESPONSE TIME FOR CALLS OF SERVICE, AND PERCENTAGES OF THE POPULATION EXPRESSING LACK OF FEELING OF SECURITY OR SATISFACTION WITH POLICE SERVICE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)