POLICE PERFORMANCE IN LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT

Police Performance in Local Law Enforcement



Police Performance in Local Law Enforcement

Part 1: Research by different Scholars

Enforcement of pedestrian right-of-way laws at uncontrolled crosswalk locations and its effect on driver compliance were evaluated from 1991 to 1994 through the cooperative efforts of the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center and the Seattle Police Department. Citywide, neighborhood and intersection-specific enforcement was evaluated by using a standardized crossing technique to provide drivers with opportunities to stop for a pedestrian. The rates of driver compliance before and after the programs were calculated by an independent observer. The evaluation suggests that targeting small areas may be as effective as citywide campaigns, that brief efforts may be as effective as longer programs, and that benefits to pedestrians from such enforcement in high-volume commuter corridors may be minimal.

In light of the often contradictory results, expectations of traffic enforcement to improve pedestrian safety should remain modest. Behavioral and environmental factors that are more salient to the driver than even rather intensive enforcement efforts make it difficult to achieve a consistent positive effect. Continued research is recommended to identify the optimal use of limited traffic enforcement resources in the service of pedestrian safety.

Evaluation suggests ideas for constructive comments, acknowledges poor as well as out-standing performance, and explains the strengths and weaknesses of individual officers as observed by evaluators. If evaluations are formulated with care and understanding, they have the potential for improving the officer. Most officers are interested in the effectiveness of their skills and are willing to focus upon constructive criticism. They have the right to expect evaluators to be fair in their observations and suggestions for improvement.

Police officers and detectives protect lives and property. Law enforcement officer's duties depend on the size and type of their organizations. Police and detectives pursue and apprehend individuals who break the law and then issue citations or give warnings. A large proportion of their time is spent writing reports and maintaining records of incidents they encounter. Most police officers patrol their jurisdictions and investigate any suspicious activity they notice. They also respond to calls from individuals. Detectives, who often are called agents or special agents, perform investigative duties such as gathering facts and collecting evidence. (Alpert, 1993)

The daily activities of police and detectives vary with their occupational specialty—such as police officer, game warden, or detective—and whether they are working for a local, State, or Federal agency. Duties also differ substantially among various Federal agencies, which enforce different aspects of the law. Regardless of job duties or location, police officers and detectives at all levels must write reports and maintain meticulous records that will be needed if they testify in court.

State and Local Law Enforcement

Since 1985, Federal and some State Governments have been broadly committed to strategies which emphasise a 'harm reduction' approach to illicit drugs. Such strategies, whilst not condoning drug use, recognise the need to reduce the risks and harm both to those who continue to use drugs and to the general ...