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How the Economic Recession has Affected Law Enforcement

SERVICE UNDER PRESSURE: HOW THE ECONOMIC RECESSION HAS AFFECTED LAW ENFORCEMENT Since the beginning of the financial crisis in 2008, America has had to learn how to function with less. However, while an individual can choose to eat at home or bargain shop to save money, law enforcement agencies are given the incredible task of providing the same level of service with far fewer resources. TIGHTENED BUDGETS IN A 2010 NLC SURVEY OF MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS, 22% INDICATED CUTS REPORTS ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY CUTS VARY, 75% REPORTED THAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY, BUT ACCORDING TO AN IACP STUDY, AFFECTING CRIME PREVENTION OVER 85% OF AGENCIES AND SERVICE RESPONSE TIMES THE OVERALL ECONOMIC AND FISCAL CONDITIONS WITHIN THEIR CITIES HAD WORSENED IN THE PAST YEAR REPORTED BEING FORCED TO REDUCE THEIR BUDGET IN THE SAME STUDY, OVER HALF REPORTED A REDUCTION OF 5+%, AND A QUARTER REPORTED A REDUCTION OF 10+% OFFICERS IMPACTED Although it is seen as a last resort (91% of respondents agreed that sworn officer positions should be the last thing cut), personnel costs often account for 80-90% OF A POLICE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE ESTIMATES THAT 12,000-15,000 SWORN OFFICER POSITIONS HAVE BEEN LOST DUE TO BUDGET RESTRICTIONS Agencies are forced to sacrifice their personnel for cost efficiency. According to a PERF survey, 66% 43% 43% 36% 22% 16% laid off imposed a hiring freeze for civilian implemented unpaid furloughs cut overtime imposed a hiring freeze for sworn reduced staffing levels through spending employees positions positions attrition IT IS ESTIMATED THAT IN 2011, 28,000+ OFFICERS NATIONWIDE HAVE BEEN FURLOUGHED FOR AT LEAST 40 HOURS, EQUIVALENT TO 500+ FULL-TIME POSITIONS SERVICES CUT ACCORDING TO THE PERF SURVEY: 47% of responding police chiefs have reported that service has declined or will decline due to budget cuts of departments are no longer responding to all burglar alarms 9% 14% of departments are no longer responding to all non-injury motor vehicle accidents 8% are no longer responding to all motor vehicle thefts OTHER IMPACTS OF AGENCIES' REDUCED BUDGETS: 60% CONSIDERED INCREASING FEES FOR POLICE SERVICES CUT BACK OR ELIMINATED PLANS 55% TO GET NEW TECHNOLOGY 0/ DISCONTINUED SPECIAL UNITS SUCH 38% AS GANG OR TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT IN THE MCAA SURVEY, RESPONDENTS INDICATED OTHER CUTS: :0 48% in training 39% in community policing 35% 22% in narcotics enforcement in federal task forces 22% in school resource officers MANY AGENCIES MUST NOW HAVE CIVILIANS FILE THEIR OWN REPORTS: 43% OF AGENCIES HAVE INCREASED TELEPHONE REPORTING, AND 30% HAVE INCREASED ONLINE REPORTING HOW A CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEGREE CAN HELP With so much at stake and with such drastic cuts, it is important now more than ever to have an efficient, knowledgeable law enforcement agency. BUT PERHAPS MORE IMPORTANTLY, A An estimated 53%0 of counties are CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEGREE CAN ALSO: working with less staff than a year ago Create more knowledgeable personnel Makes agencies smart, leaner, and more effective with reduced staff A CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEGREE CAN: Satisfy the department's educational requirements Makes up for potentially reduced training on the job Introduce valuable tools such as Place the candidate in better standing for hiring and promotion community policing and problem solving Involves the community at large with law enforcement goals, which increases resources and manpower efficiently Open doors to a variety of positions and allow the candidate to pursue their passions Encourages creative thinking, which is essential for law enforcement personnel working with fewer resources The consequences of the economic downturn may be felt for a long time. However, a law enforcement agent that is well informed, resourceful, and effective can go a long way towards making up the difference in a difficult situation. TO LEARN MORE, VISIT: ONLINECJDEGREES.UC.EDU SOURCES: http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/files/RIC/Publications/e101113406_Economic%20lmpact.pdf UNIVERSITY OF http://members.policeforum.org/library/critical-issues-in-policing- series/Econdownturnaffectpolicing12.10.pdf http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/magazine/mag-17YouRhere-t.html?_r=0 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12754776 http://www.npr.org/2011/05/19/136436405/in-tight-times--a-relies-on-volunteer-police Cincinnati X 1,000 X 1,000

How the Economic Recession has Affected Law Enforcement

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The visual concentrates on how the system has been troubled with providing the same level of service with far fewer resources. It highlights some alarming facts and figures on tightened budgets, offic...

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