11 Police Officer Allocation Study

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In this report, the computer model used for patrol allocation is a very straightforward and easy to understand model. Its use here showed a need for additional officers in patrol /F the proactive patrol target of 45 percent is used. The department and city may choose to use a different target. As more refined data is used in the model, it may show a clear indication that more patrol officers are needed in order to keep up current proactive activities. If these additional officers are not added, the department and the citizens are likely to see the above effects continue to develop over time. In some cities that have been unable to staff their police departments adequately, officers no longer have any proactive time and are sent from one call to the next. Some cities have stopped routine response to minor accidents and residential burglaries in order to manage their calls for service. Elected members of Council must make the critical balance between citizen and community expectations and available funding. New data may also show less of a need than discussed in this report. However, It should be remembered that cities with less than 40 percent proactive patrol time are seldom able to perForm sufficient community policing activities and eventually, police and community relationships begins to deteriorate. Impact of Criminal Investigation StafFing Decreases in the reactive investigative staff will result in decreased time available for follow-up investigations. This reduction will like result in: • Decrease in clearance • Decrease in property recovery • Decrease in "Customer Care" to crime victims The initial decrease in staffing will result in the inability of investigators to do many of the ancillary activities related to investigations such as searching for stolen property, making follow-up calls to inform victims of case status, and Page 49