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FACT VERSUS FACT - A SELECTIVE VIEW OF POLICE RESEARCH IN THE UNITED STATES

NCJ Number
35454
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 49 Issue: 2 Dated: (APRIL-JUNE 1976) Pages: 104-113
Author(s)
D J FARMER
Date Published
1976
Length
10 pages
Annotation
A REVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE AREAS OF POLICE PATROL, PROGRAM PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT, ANTI-CORRUPTION MANAGEMENT, AND CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION WHICH IS SAID TO CHALLENGE TRADITIONAL ASSUMPTIONS.
Abstract
RESEARCH IS CITED WHICH INDICATES THAT POLICE PATROL IS NOT EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING CRIME AND PROMOTING PUBLIC FEELINGS OF CONFIDENCE, AND THAT POLICE RESPONSE TIME IS USUALLY NOT RELATED TO CRIME OUTCOME. TRADITIONAL EVALUATION MEASURES, SUCH CRIME AND CLEARANCE RATES ARE SAID TO BE INACCURATE AND DISTORTING. STUDIES ARE CITED WHICH POINT TO THE NEED FOR A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO ANTI-CORRUPTION MANAGEMENT. STUDIES OF POLICE INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES HAVE INDICATED THAT POLICE SPEND AN UNWARRANTED AMOUNT OF TIME ON CASES WITH LITTLE LIKELIHOOD OF BEING SOLVED. THESE ARE SAID TO BE INDICATORS OF FUTURE AREAS OF CONCENTRATION FOR POLICE ADMINISTRATORS.