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Staff Inspection: A Strong Administrative Tool

NCJ Number
208420
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 71 Issue: 12 Dated: December 2004 Pages: 66-68,70,72
Author(s)
John Fuller
Date Published
December 2004
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article describes the use and benefits of the staff inspection process in law enforcement as an administrative tool to assess and determine compliance with established policies and procedures.
Abstract
The staff inspection process, used properly, enables the leadership to identify problems, select solutions, and implement planned solutions. Recommended for use by law enforcement agencies, the staff inspection process is an administrative system used to conduct internal inspections and audits. This process ensures that agencies are in compliance with established policies and procedures. Implemented correctly, the staff inspection process can uncover potential problems and develop solutions. Staff inspections can be conducted on both line and staff operations and can tell a department how policies and directives are being carried out. This article describes the staff inspection process which includes the types of inspection, inspectors, the inspection process, the inspection report, and areas in need of regular inspection, such as crime reporting and statistics, evidence handling and storage, emergency equipment in patrol vehicles, citizen satisfaction with police service, and overtime payments. The staff inspection process works best in making seamless improvements to the department.