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Differential Police Response

NCJ Number
89918
Date Published
Unknown
Length
136 pages
Annotation
A field test of a system for setting priorities among citizen requests for police service is taking place in the police department of Greensboro, N.C.
Abstract
The program, which is also being tested in another location, operates under the guidance of the National Institute of Justice. The project rests on the view that a program of alternative responses to requests for service will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the police in conditions of budget constraints. Incoming calls are classified in order to match the nature and speed of the police response with the nature of the call. The alternative response program consists of various mobile and nonmobile responses and uses both sworn and nonsworn personnel. Mobile responses may be emergency, immediate, or delayed. Nonmobile response include mail-in, walk-in, telephone, and referrals. Evaluation is included in the field test. Detailed descriptions of the system for classifying calls and responses and the forms used for calls concerning each category of offense are provided. Four references are listed.