Generally, researchers have found that smaller police departments (fewer than 150 officers) can patrol better for less, while larger departments can better provide such specialized services as radio communications, major criminal investigations, and forensic laboratory analyses. The more efficient and effective patrolling by small departments appears to be related to (1) smaller political jurisdictions that facilitate public consensus about policing and clearer statements of citizen expectations; (2) less specialization of assignment, greater patrol density, and stability of assignments; and (3) less hierarchy that permits closer formal communication between administrators and patrol officers. These structural advantages of smaller departments can be gained by larger departments by assessing neighborhood needs and expectations, using the same personnel for longer periods in given areas, and eliminating unnecessary hierarchical communication patterns. Small departments can obtain the use of specialized services by acquiring them from a large-scale provider rather than by changing their own internal structure. A State agency may produce the service and provide it free to all police agencies in the State, or a special district agency may produce the service for agencies within its jurisdiction. Departments may also contract with each other to establish a joint agency to produce specified services. Twenty-four footnotes are provided.