Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


ucin1057691086.pdf (406.93 KB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

DISCRETION OR DIRECTION?: AN ANALYSIS OF PATROL OFFICER DOWNTIME

FAMEGA, CHRISTINE NATALIE
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1057691086

Abstract Details

2003, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Education : Criminal Justice.
Proactive policing reforms emphasize that during downtime (all time not responding to citizen calls for service) patrol officers should engage in both self-initiated and directed activities based on crime analysis and problem identification. In general, community-oriented policing and problem-oriented policing stress decision making by line officers based on their own observations and knowledge of the area they are assigned to patrol, but also on crime information made available to them by supervisors. Hot spot policing and managerial approaches such as Compstat, place the responsibility for planning and implementing patrol activities on commanders, lieutenants, or other supervisory personnel. This study provides a descriptive analysis of officer downtime to address two issues inherent to proactive policing strategies within the confines of the Baltimore Police Department. First, whether patrol officers who are required to respond to citizen calls for service have time to engage in proactive policing activities. Second, whether proactive policing strategies from the numerous movements in police reform and crime prevention over the last 40 years have made it past administrative implementation to the front lines of policing. The findings of this research suggest that on average, over three quarters of a Baltimore patrol officers' shift is downtime. During this time they primarily self-initiate routine patrol, or back up other officers on calls to which they were not dispatched. Only six percent of downtime activities are directed by superiors, other officers or citizens. Two percent of these activities are directed by supervisors. The only activities that are more likely to be directed than self-initiated are serving warrants and subpoenas, and attempts to locate suspects, witnesses or informants. Compared to self-initiated activities, directed activities are significantly more likely to occur on private property and the use of directives is influenced by district. However, the directives provided do not appear to be a means of operationalizing problem oriented or community oriented policing theory or proactive policing strategies. These activities are probably more correctly conceptualized as activities that are not self-initiated (in other words, activities that result due to instructions, information or requests of officers, supervisors and citizens).
Dr. James Frank (Advisor)
186 p.
Sociology, Criminology and Penology
police; patrol officers; workload; problem-oriented/community oriented policing; downtime/unassigned time

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • FAMEGA, C. N. (2003). DISCRETION OR DIRECTION?: AN ANALYSIS OF PATROL OFFICER DOWNTIME [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1057691086

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • FAMEGA, CHRISTINE. DISCRETION OR DIRECTION?: AN ANALYSIS OF PATROL OFFICER DOWNTIME. 2003. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1057691086.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • FAMEGA, CHRISTINE. "DISCRETION OR DIRECTION?: AN ANALYSIS OF PATROL OFFICER DOWNTIME." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2003. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1057691086

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1057691086
1,112
© 2003, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.