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Justifying Police Budgets in a Sluggish Economy

NCJ Number
202120
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 70 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2003 Pages: 21-22,24
Author(s)
W. Dwayne Orrick
Editor(s)
Charles E. Higginbotham
Date Published
August 2003
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article provides advice in several areas for both State and local law enforcement agencies in preparing and justifying their budgets during a sluggish economy.
Abstract
Since the 1970's, police departments across the United States are experiencing one of the tightest fiscal years, due to the sluggish economy. These shortfalls have forced State and local governments to take a closer look at department budgets. To help law enforcement agencies offset budget cuts, it is necessary for police executives to understand how budget analysts work and develop sound justifications for their expenditure. This article offers pointers to law enforcement executives aiding them in the justification of their police budget during a sluggish economy and include: (1) know how budget analysts work and the most common budge-cutting strategies; (2) gather all the facts that have a bearing on the budget requests; (3) deliver the best possible budget presentation, be persuasive; and (4) find ways to minimize the impact and effects of budget cuts.

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