NCJ Number
140577
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 40 Issue: 5 Dated: (May 1992) Pages: 88-91
Date Published
1992
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Take-home cars have a moderately high initial cost, but they make law enforcement agencies more efficient and eventually save money.
Abstract
About 90 percent of the State government law enforcement agencies use this system. The police officers park their vehicles in their driveways at home when they are off duty. They are responsible for keeping the vehicle clean and well maintained. Advantages to the police agency include having effectively two shifts on the road during shift change, faster responses to emergencies, and simplification of routine call-outs for a crime in the area. Although the initial cost is high, net savings occur due to lower maintenance costs and extended vehicle costs as a result of using the cars only one shift per day. In addition, officers will not be reckless with their vehicles and know the capabilities of their own cars. The most obvious disadvantage to a take home policy is beginning it, because it will increase fleet costs for several years. However, the costs of increasing the fleet size will be offset by reduced maintenance costs after the second year of the policy. In the fourth year, replacement costs will decline noticeably, because the take-home units will be accumulating fewer miles. Departments considering a take home policy should calculate all the costs and benefits.