Police patrol deployment in small urban centers: an application of integrated management decision-making

摘要

This dissertation was undertaken to examine and review the theoretical issues concerning decision-making. From this analysis, a new and innovative technique for problem-solving was developed, entitled Integrated Management Decision-making. The underlying theoretical framework of this model involved the integration of the organization and the environment. Political, economic, social, cultural, and other community factors were discussed as major influences in the decision-making process. Integrated Management Decision-Making was derived from the combination of four existing theoretical perspectives: (1) decision-making is a process; (2) decision-making involves the ability to make rational choices; (3) decision-making involves the ability to make rational choices; (3) decision-making assumes a systematic methodology; and (4) decision-making is conducted by human beings attempting to achieve a desired consequence or result. Further, this study addressed the application of this new model to the task of police patrol deployment in small urban centers. The City of Jonesboro, Arkansas was used as a test case for the demonstration of this process. After examining over 8,300 radio-dispatched calls for service in 1980, a method for deployment was proposed utilizing Integrated Management Decision-Making. The statistical techniques of Multiple Response Analysis and Kruskal-Wallis Analysis of Variance by Ranks were utilized to explore the relationship between existing patrol procedures and proposed deployment design based on specific allocation variables designated by the police manager. The objective of the new deployment plan was to achieve an optimum patrol scheme with equalized workload between districts. This involved the determination of several decision-products: (1) the calculation of an assignment-availability factor; (2) the design of sector boundaries; (3) the calculation of shift requirements; and (4) the assessment of patrol strategies and techniques. This goal was achieved and recommendations for the Jonesboro Police Department were developed. Finally, Integrated Management Decision-Making was discussed as a catalyst for change in current police management thinking. Futuristic concepts of organization-environmental learning, long-range planning, and strategic modeling were suggested as necessary improvements in police decision-making.