What Adjustments Will Law Enforcement Have to Make to Accommodate Civilianization Within the Patrol Function by the Year 2000?

• NCJ Number: 114080
• Author(s): R L Dana
• Date Published: Unknown
• Length: 122 pages
• Corporate Author: California Cmssn on Peace Officer Standards and Training
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services; POST Media Distribution Ctr
• Publication Type: Report (Technical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The changes that law enforcement agencies will need to make to adjust to the growing use of civilian paraprofessionals in patrol-related functions were examined using futures research methodologies and the development of three future scenarios.

Abstract

The research arose from recognition of the increasing public demand for more cost-effective governmental services and of the growing use of paraprofessionals. The analysis focused on deployment, recruitment, specialization, training, operating costs, personnel management, work quality standards, and relationships among police employees. It used data on current trends to develop possible future scenarios. The results indicated that civilianization can work well within the patrol function if it is well planned and is implemented in a slow evolutionary process. However, commitments must be made to establish and maintain sufficient sworn police officers to ensure that the department can accomplish its basic mission before any civilians are introduced into the patrol function. In addition, paraprofessionals will require careful training as their responsibilities grow and become more complex. Without attention to these issues, the program will not succeed and will disrupt the harmony of the rest of the rest of the organization. Figures, appended background information, and 15 references.