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Enhancing the Dissemination of Innovation in Community Policing: The Role of Information Sharing

NCJ Number
167171
Author(s)
A Weiss
Date Published
1997
Length
55 pages
Annotation
Patterns of communication and information sharing between police planning and research officers in different local and State police agencies were examined to determine the nature of the communication networks and to suggest possible ways to enhance the dissemination of research findings.
Abstract
Data were collected by means of questionnaires mailed to chief executives of 517 local police agencies and all State organizations in March 1996. The chief was asked to forward the questionnaire to the commander of the agency's planning and research units. The response rate was 71 percent. Results revealed that police planners often contact other police organizations to obtain information to use in planning and research. These requests are systematic. Planners choose the agency to contact based mainly on whether the other agency faces the same problems and issues they do and whether the other organization has a good reputation. These communication relationships are not normally tied to individuals; instead, they are more institutionalized and stable. Communication is mainly by telephone; emerging technologies such as e-mail and the Internet offer significant promise. The 403 agencies receive an average of 22 requests for information each year. Responding to requests places a significant demand on planning unit resources. Findings suggest the desirability of encouraging the network of communication among police organizations, providing resources to support information dissemination, and continuing NIJ efforts to enhance the research capacity of police agencies. Additional recommendations, tables, footnotes, and appended study instrument and list of agencies participating in the survey