Lanterna Rally

Author: Richard Joseph De Paris

Publisher:

Published: 1997-01-01

Total Pages: 52

ISBN-13: 9781878734518

This study assessed the effectiveness of a sample of Neighborhood Police Teams (NPTs) throughout California. NPTs are decentralized, interdependent squads of police officers and/or nonsworn personnel fielded in support of a community policing philosophy. Members are collectively responsible for solving problems and providing customized police services to a particular geographic area, usually an identifiable neighborhood, on a long-term basis. This study of NPTs included every California agency fielding NPTs and serving municipalities with populations of more than 50,000. This encompassed 59 NPTs serving 36 municipalities and representing 23 police and 4 sheriff's departments. The Team Excellence instrument was administered to NPT members to measure the eight team effectiveness dimensions. The Manager's Team Impact Assessment instrument assessed NPT performance by measuring each team's attainment of 20 commonly accepted community policing goals. Thirty-four percent of the NPTs achieved their community impact goals to a "great degree." These high-performance teams transcended the barriers experienced in earlier team policing efforts. These teams were focused, appropriately structured, highly motivated, and adequately supported. Members worked interdependently, engaging in team projects as much as possible. Sixty-six percent of NPTs achieved their goals to less than a great degree; and 20 percent achieved their goals to less than a moderate degree. Low-performance NPTs faced unsupportive and inhospitable operating environments. For effective performance, agencies must permit NPTs to pursue their mission without undue intrusion; such resolve was often lacking. Policy recommendations are offered.