Optimizing Staffing for Small Police Departments- Evaluating Approaches and Best Practices

Optimizing Staffing for Small Police Departments- Evaluating Approaches and Best Practices

Part 1

The most efficient approach to staffing is the per-capita approach. This approach involves the use of the resident population to estimate how many officers are needed by a particular community. It is simple methodologically and easy to interpret (Wilson & Weiss, 2013). The data required for the calculation of this metric are not only readily available but are also regularly updated. This approach also allows for a comparison between communities and their peer organizations.

Two approaches that can be utilized for staffing in a new precinct is the minimum staffing approach and the authorized level approach (Wilson & Weiss, 2013). First, an executive officer would prefer the former because there is a need for a minimum number of officers so that the safety of the public can be ensured at all times. The latter approach can also be utilized because it estimates the needs for future staffing of police departments by exhibiting the current activity’s levels.

Part 2

Police executives must be well informed about every aspect of operations to effectively perform all their responsibilities, including directing, planning, controlling, and coordinating all activities (Mawby, 2010). The primary means of accomplishing those tasks is via a well-designated system of communication.

In the 1900s, the centre of command was the precinct station. Citizens had to appear before the station in person or by phoning the signal office, which, in turn, mobilized officers via their beat call box. The officers responded on foot, and during times of emergency, they were horse-driven. Today, officers respond through radios and have computers in the cars they patrol in to assist them in data entry The is a problem in policing today on how to regulate police authority to allow officers to enforce the law and at the same time protect the individual liberty and reduce the social cost that may be imposed by the police (Harmon, 2012). A more comprehensive institutional analysis is needed to determine how to allocate and implement a form of policing that is effective and harm-efficient.

References

Mawby, R. C. (2010). Police corporate communications, crime reporting and the shaping of policing news. Policing and Society, 20(1), 124-139.

Wilson, J., & Weiss, A. (2013). Staffing the small department: Taking stock of existing benchmarks and promising approaches. The Police Chief, 80(4), 34-40Free Essay Example

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Part 1
“Staffing for Crime Control ” Please respond to the following:

Read the article titled “Staffing the ‘Small’ Department: Taking Stock of Existing Benchmarks and Promising Approaches”, located here. You may also view the article here. Next, give your opinion as to which of the five (5) typical approaches to staffing discussed in the article is the most efficient in general. Justify your response.
Imagine that you are the executive officer of a newly established police precinct. Determine two (2) possible approaches that you could utilize to estimate the staffing for investigation responsibilities. Support your response.

Optimizing Staffing for Small Police Departments- Evaluating Approaches and Best Practices

Number of pages: 1/2
References/sources: 1

Part 2
“Crime Control Communication and the Limitations of Police Patrol” Please respond to the following:

Interdepartmental communication is important for any organization to be successful. This communication should be both horizontal and vertical. This is especially important as it relates to law enforcement organizations. In your own opinion, explain why it is important that special units within law enforcement departments should communicate with general patrol units. Include one (1) example or scenario of such communication to support your response.
Compare and contrast the essential nature of police patrol today to police patrol over the last century. Next, determine at least two (2) limitations on the police patrol from today and discuss how you would suggest mitigation of them. Support your response.