HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-73-0332RESOLUTIONNO.
73-332
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND ENTER INTO AGREEMENT WITH STANFORD
RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR PHASES II AND III OF THE MANAGEMENT
STUDY FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
POLICE, SAID PHASE II TO COMMENCE ON APRIL 11, 1973
AND CONSISTS OF DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF
PROGRAMS AND SYSTEMS DEVELOPED IN THE PHASE I WHICH
CONSTITUTED THE RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS FOR THE
MODERNIZATION OF THE MIAMI POLICE DEPARTMENT.
WHEREAS, the City Commission adopted Resolution No. 43261, dated
February 17, 1972, which selected the consultants, Stanford Research Institute, a
non-profit corporation organized under the laws of the State of California, and
WHEREAS, said Resolution No. 43261 further authorized the City
Manager to negotiate and enter into agreement with Stanford Research Institute, and
WHEREAS, said agreement was entered into on the llth day of April,
1972, and
WHEREAS, said agreement provided for a Phase I Study requiring that
Stanford Research Institute provide research and analysis, including the basic
IIarchitectural design information to be utilized by the City for the employment of
separate and independent consulting architects and engineers, and
WHEREAS, Phase I findings and results have been submitted to the City
Commission for its approval, and
WHEREAS, Resolution No.73-331 was adopted on April 26, 1973, which
provides for the acceptance of findings and completed work of Stanford Research
•
Institute as provided through and agreement with the City dated April 11, 1972, and
WHEREAS, Phase II which provides for the development and implementation
of programs and systems determined through the Phase I research and analysis findings;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. That the City Manager is hereby authorized to negotiate and
enter into agreement with Stanford Research Institute for Phases II and III of the
Study for the Modernization of the Department of Police, said Phase II to commence
on April 11, 1973, and consists of development and implementation of programs and
c.
Page 1 of 2
73•33y
•
systems developed in the Phase I which constituted the research and analysis for
the modernization of the Miami Police Department.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 26th day of April , 1973.
�w.
Page 2 of 2
MIAMI
MODERN
POLICE
FIRST YEAR REPORT
g-M
STANFORD RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Menlo Park, California 94025 • U.S.A.
!, 7 3- 3 3 Z.
APRIL 1973
4t
STANFORD RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Menlo Park, California 94025 • U.S.A.
FirS: Hcoort
MIAMI MODERN POLICE
THE 01 ‘r' (Dfl I
I LC)
SRt P. E GH
.y
AST L
t,ot I Lr
4. j. fZeo-eiz,.0
etioidLD f- INNIG Vice P,est(Wor
f ttce. fit'AetirCh
Apr,/ 1973
til
OVERVIEW
A Miami Modern Police Department is a goal well within reach. It
will fulfill, by positive action, the mandate of Miami's citizens, who
have demanded better police services. The people of Miami loudly and
clearly offered their plea for a safer city in their vote for more effi-
cient police. They have recognized the cost of upgrading and modernizing
their outdated police force, and have offered to pay the bill. They ask
only that the money they have voted be carefully spent, and that these
outlays bear positive results in making Miami a better, safer, and more
secure city in which to live and conduct business.
WHAT IS THIS REPORT ALL ABOUT?
The City's .Administration has heard the citizens' voices. Recognizing
the complexity and enormity of the task before them, the Administration
called upon Stanford Research Institute, an Independent, not -for -profit,
contract research organization to assist in the proper planning of equip-
ment purchases and in police department reorganization. For the past year,
teams of experts, drawing upon a wide range of specialized knowledge, have
combed the records of the Police Iepartment, studying its operations and
interviewing its members and commanders, and the citizens of the City to
determine exactly what steps should be taken to update and thoroughly
modernize the Miami's Police Department.
This report is a summary of those findings. It points the way to a
complete overhaul of the Department's operations and recommends specific
measures that can set the modernization task immediately in motion.
11
WHAT DO THE CITIZENS WANT?
Thu peoples of Miami want a police force that is on the job. They
want their police to he visible on patrol and promptly available when
needed. They want a symbol of law and justice that they can look up to
and respect. They want a sympathetic friend to whom they can talk in
time of trouble and turn to in time of need. They want an efficient, well-
equipped professional who knows the methods of preventing crime and of
apprehending the law breaker. They want a law enforcement agency that
protects the rights of the citizens, yet respects the rights of the
accused,
HOW CAN 1',E MODERNIZE THE POLICE?
The task is complex, but the tools and technology are at hand. The
fundamental need is to apply modern business methods, up-to-date manage-
ment techniques, and highly sophisticated equipment to policing the safety
of the citizens in the City of Miami. While these modern applications arc
so much a part of our daily lives, they have not been successfully applied
to police work in the City of 'Miami.
The know-how exists. For too many years, however, the police com-
munity has been governed by tradition rather than vision in its internal
operations. Money was not spent where it could effectively produce re-
sults, and the outmoded ways that worked in the past could not be effec-
tively applied to the modern technology of today,
EXAMPLE: For years the Federal Bureau of Investigation and police
departments in other areas of the nation have used computers to assist in
criminal idcntiiicatinn. The City of Miami has been able to call upon
these resources to get information about a suspect elsewhere in the nation.
However, for information on local hoodlums, the City Police must fall back
iii
on an antiquated, time consuming, manual system. The new computers of
the Miami :Modern Police Department will work effectively with both local
and national criminal information files and supplement their value and
usefulness with rapid interchange of information.
The above example illustrates one of several ways that improved
technology can be brought to serve the needs of today. There are many
others. Many of these improvements will keep pace with other law enforce-
ment -agencies throughout the country. But the Miami police can be more
than just the equal of other progressive police departments, the Miami
Modern Police Department can become the model police agency for the entire
United States. The time is ripe for the City of Miami to assume a leader-
ship role. The City deserves a police force with an international reputa-
tion as the finest crime prevention agency in our land. This will enhance
Miami's image as an ideal community to visit for vacation or business con-
ventions or, most important, to live in, free of fear for personal safety.
\VHXI' KIND OF POLICE DEPARTMENT IVILL \VE GM"?
The remodeled police department in '.Miami will be a wholly new law
enforcement organization, strongly emphasizing crime prevention. 1t will
be one of the belt equipped police forces in the nation. More than that,
it wi11 use new equipment and technology to expand its role in crime pre-
vention. By seizing the initiative from the law breaker, the Miami Mddern
Police can take the offense in the battle to stamp out crime in the
streets.
The modern police will anticipate the needs of the community. 13y
organizing long range strategies and developing tactical plans, the Miami
police can focus its crime prevention efforts where the criminal is most
likely to strike. It can be aggressive in keeping peace in the community
and become more responsive to the needs of its citizens. An open channel
iv
of communication between the people and the police can be established,
thus serving the prime objectives of the Miami Modern Police Department:
to provide better public service for the safety and security of the
citizens.
WHAT ARE THE MEANS AND METHODS OP GETTING A MIAMI MODERN 'POLICE
DEPARTMENT?
Many of the means of making the Miami Police Department more effec-
tive --computers and communications, modern record keeping, and up-to-date
management techniques --are all around us. The police would be equipped
with computers that show where each and every police car is at all times,
permit instant identification of criminals, and cut through reams of non-
productive paperwork. Improved communications will permit a police
officer to be in constant contact with headquarters and enable him to
receive visible reports on suspects through a computer link in his police
patrol car tied to a central information bank. -
The Miami Modern Police will be better able to communicate with the
citizens, receive their requests, promptly respond to these requests for
services, and develop positive relationships with the community.
The Department will be organized to bring all of its operations to-
gether in a systematic, planned and coordinated way to promote the com-
munity's safety. The Department's Data Processing Center and other tech-
nical support services will be expanded and staffed with people who have
those specialized skills that are necessary to make maximum use of the
latest technology. And, most important to the long run success of the
program, the Miami Modern Police Department will be composed of police
professionals who possess new high levels of skills and performance.
This will be accomplished by placing strong emphasis on a sound recruiting
and training program, and on expanding the career opportunities, recogni-
tion, and rewards that such professional officers deserve.
WHAT Is TFIE NEXT STEP?
Upon approval of the recommendations set forth in the following
pages, the City can move forward along the road to development of the
Miami Modern Police Department, thus entering Phase II of the moderniza-
tion program.
Phase I, Research and Analysis, consisted of general studies of
feasibility, objectives, local conditions, special needs and
unique problems, aimed at developing a conceptual program. This
portion lasted one year and is concluded with this report, which
offers a broad program for the future development of the Police
Department in Miami.
Phase II, Design and Development follows, During this phase
the Police Department wi11 be dedicated to molding this broad
program into specifics, moving forward to procurement of new
equipment systems, and strengthening and reorganizing the
Department. The immediate tasks in this coming year involve
setting priorities, beginning to develop and evolve the Depart-
ment's organization to strengthen its planning, management, and
technical services, and the preparation of detailed requirement
and specifications document for the new equipment. This phase
will roughly parallel the construction schedule for the new
building and can be likened to the pouring of foundations upon
which the new Department wi11 be built.
Phase III, the Implementation phase, will be marked by the com-
pletion of building construction, installation and testing of
ttie new systems, trial runs and fine-tuning of those systems to
be sure they provide the kind of practical effectiveness they
arc designed for. Organizational development and extensive
training ++ i 1 1 continue throughout this phase, as the Depart-
ment's increased capabilities begin to function operationally.
The pages ahead present in summary form the pattern for a truly modern
police organization. Although much remains to be done in converting plan
to practice, the outline has been drawn. What is required now is pains-
taking care, sensitivity to human nature's fear of change, and a steadfast
resolve to carry forward the mandate of the people: a safer community,
the kind of police force they deserve, and the kind they have every right
to expect.
vi
A CONCEPT FOR THE MIAMI 'IC11tl:ILN POLICE': DEPARTMENT
Crime, in all its ugliness and injustice, has disfigured the face of
America. Not discriminating, it afflicts everyone; the wealthy and the
weak, the influential and the impoverished. To the individual, it conies
as a personal disaster; to the community, a corrosion of its center of
commerce and culture; to the nation, a disgrace.
It is the Number One domestic concern of our citizens. In 1972,
according to a recent Gallup poll, one.out of every three city dwellers
was touched by crime. Nearly half of city residents throughout the
nation are afraid to uo out of their homes alone at night. A majority
of U.S. citizens believe that crime 1s noo prevalent today than it was
a year ago. The poor and minority group members of the community bear
a disproportionate share of this burden. They art_ its most frequent
victims. More effective crime prevention benefits all members of society
but holds particular significance for the less fortunate among us, whose
fear and Frustration as crime's primary prey saps initiative and stifles
their will to succeed.
The incidence of crime in the City of Miami has grown to unconscion-
able heights. A distinction all coma:1►litics wish to shun, Miami has often
headed the list of American cities in rate of major crimes reported, ex-
periencing a higher rate of crimes against property than any other city
of comparable size in the nation, and setting a record rate of crimes
against persons that, in 1970 for example, was a staggering three times
greater than that of similar size cities.
1
Aware of this virus in their community, the citizens of Miami voted
to equip their Police Department with needed facilities and tools in the
determined hope of reversing this trend and stemming the tide of lawless-
ness and violence.
Aturtln
Negbgrnl
Ho.noode
AL.n,leughle,
F ore tb,r
Hnpe
Robb Y
Agg,eretrd
Afl. It
N,trglerY
H,riwmq o
Fntennq
O. SSU
then
REPORTED MAJOR CRIMES IN MIAMI — 1971-1972
To assist in the planning and allocation of resources provided by
S2(1 million in bonded indebtedness approv
:d by City residents for "Police
Headquarters and Crime Prevention Pacilities," the City of Miami retained
the services of Stanford Research Institute of Menlo Paris, California.
For the past 12 months, a team of 90 scientists, engineers, research
specialists, criminologists, management experts, and fiscal advisors
assisted by consultants, the International Association of Chiefs of Police
and the University of Miami Center for Urban Studies, have conducted an
intensive program of research. They have made surveys; analyzed person-
nel, dispatch, and crime incidence records; interviewed hundreds of
citizens and scores of police officers: and consulted with responsible
police commanders and police officers who patrol the City's streets to
solicit views on what the Miami Police Department is and the direction
in which it should be headed. Members of the study team also surveyed
a number of other innovative police departments throughout the country.
This all embracing study envisions a four-year program to mold the City's
police force into the model police department of the nation: the Miami
Modern Police Department.
The staff study group of SRI is deeply indebted to Chief Bernard L.
Garmire for his total and unrestricted cooperation in granting access to
the full range of Departmental operations. This permitted SRI to arrive
at its own, independent conclusions and recommendations, free of insti-
tutional or structural bias. t,'hiet Garmire's interest in the success of
this project, as wc11 as the valuable assistance and counsel of ',Ir. Keith
Bergstrom, are deeply appreciated. The SRI team also wishes to express
its gratitude to the several Working Groups, composed of Department
members of all ranks and positions who fre(.iy offered considered and
practica] suggestions, eNpressed their concerns, and provided us with a
thorough insight into the workings of the Department and the conditions
under which its services are performed. V. wish to re-emphasize however,
that the conclusions reached and recommendations made in this report are
SRI's sole responsibility.
On tht following pages, this report outlines the findings of SRI's
initial year long study, proposes specific recommendations, and identifies
the actions that must be takers to implement these findings and recom-
mendations.
The goal of the SRI study is to assist the City management in its
efforts to provide the citizens of ',Miami with an effective, responsive,
enlightened police force that employs the available technology and is
3
structured to be prepared for the social, environmental, and peace keeping
needs of the City in the final quartet' of the Twentieth Century. The citi-
zens of Miami have invested in the future of .their community be providing
for the development of the finest municipal peace keeping agency in the
nation. 'their confidence in their community merits the reward of un-
excelled public service.
THE GOALS
To meet the challenge of rising crime head-on, the Miaini Modern
Police Department must attain a high degree of professionalism and equip
itself with the most modern tools available to aid its officers in their
assignment. Housing the Department in adequate modern facilities, com-
munications and information systems ,:ill all play an important role in
this. So will management techniques, recruitment and training, deploy-
ment of personnel, flexibility in organizational structure, career
advancement, incentives and job .sat isfact ion.
That is involved. here is essentially a question o1 making the police
more effective in fulfilling the police officer's role as an instrument
of public safety. adequate numbers of manpower will always he necessary,
but the needs of today and the future call 1ur a quality of police person-
nel tar higher than in the past.
Equipment alone, we•ithout the backup of technical support and sophisti-
cated application, will not be enough. that the alarming rise in crime
underscores is the need for a coordinated effort that draws upon advanced
technology and gains maximum effectiveness from it by mustering skills
and disciplines that have not previously been associated with or applied
to police work.
THE COMNI'1'11ENT
Many of the recommendations contained in this report call for more
far reaching. commitments than the introduction of electronic aids or
convenient communications intended to ease conventional tasks. 'Implicit
in the decisions leading to expending lands for a new building and
adopting new technologies is the underlying resolve to reshape_ the ex-
isting police force into the Miami Modern Police Department by staffing
it with additional technically minded and professionally educated person-
nel, v.ho can bring maximum effectiveness in crime fighting to the Depart-
ment from the sophisticated .systems that v.ill be installed. Failure to
.support properly the purchases of ncv. equipment and the introduction of
more modern method- of crime fighting v.ith adequately trained personnel
who can et. -gyre. that the equipment porch,-ed and the methods introduced
can result in organizational chaos :ttltl ineff icient ly utilize
t h e t a x p. l\ c 1' :- t money.
Thas 1- u-c1\ i►lt1.'1t11'1fled i' 11110n-fl1p among the individual
recommendations contained ;within this report. Their kinship and dependence,
one upon lilt other, makes adoption of the total concept for the ',liami
74ndet'n Police 11t p.1.1'tme►lt the most of fect iye :Itld efficient way to proceed.
The fundamental gue st ion is whether that concept will be accepted.
1l it is, then the means and resources to implement the fall range of
its implications in rest culturing, re -equipping, and refocusing the work
of the Department must unequivocally and irrevocably be committed. Luke-
warm, hall -hearted, partial endorsement would be wasteful. The cri=is
of the times and the urgency of the problem mandate nothing less than
full scale commitment.
5
Tlil: MEANS
The report calls for:
recognition and adoption of strategic planning US or, integral function of the Depart-
ment's command and admir►ish'alion.
Such long range planning wi11 enable responsible officials to map
the future course of the Department, provide for contingencies,
and evaluate the social, moral, ethnic, and economic patterns
ambient in the community tram a perspective removed from minute -
by -minute responses to immediate concerns. .\ Strategic Planning
group would be drawn from among the senior operational officers
of the Department, thereby ensuring that planning is conducted in
response to operational requirements.
revrgani:ation of the Deportment to strengthen its technical and mar►agemer►t sert'ices.
.\ key provision of this recommendation ion is the recruitment and hiring
of 15 civilian specialists, such as data processing and information
specialists, an employment administrator, legal counsel, an educator,
and planning l:il i Another aspect of the reen'panization is the
c'on'olid,iti0n of operational elements to provide greater flexi-
bility in command, broadened experience and ,job satisfaction for
the nun and ' men of the Department, and to permit redeployment o1
personnel and experimentation ,,.i t bout loss o1 patrol efficiency.
adoption of a Ike -year plait to ocerlruul the Department's information systc'►ns.
At the heart of this is the purchase of three snui11 computer's dedi-
cated exclusively to such police work as dispatch, criminal in-
vestigation, and identification, and the purchase of one medium
sized computer for planning and management purposes. The larger
computer could be available on a part-time basis to other departments
of the City government. Other elements of the information systems
ii
overhaul include a c(!aputeri:''r d index to the 1'ecol'ds system, exten-
sive use of illicl'otilrl, and the introduction of simplified reporting
procedures. Such modifications would ensure greater integrity in
record keeping and better security, 1\hilt' permitting wider access,
quicker location, and recall o1 vital information. Some irl computer
terminals would be situalr..d in various areas of the proposed Police
Headquarters i)tli lditl„
1'-su1'i11_: immediate on-line access to criti-
cal information and records. SI;I recommends close coordination
with the Dade county Public Safety Department to make the most
efficient use of Dade County' currently available system, including.
wants and warrants, court and tail records, and motor vehicle
identification. 11) all of thes: areas, close city -county coordina-
tion will be required.
re1'Q)nj)ing uJ the methods. e1Jti1J)ui('Rt, u!t(J J)1'o(t'lf iros tO r('('('ut' cans for s('rt'lce
from (Itt.:('ris.
-i bilingual capaility 10 p1'o11t 1'1t undr t'-land (11 izr'n requests tor
asslslallt't 1'1a tr l..l)!U)I1C 1s t s=t nt lal
i t lepli nlc opera 1 ors It l t !1
11uenI\ 1n Spanish are mandator t it the Department hope's tO St;rVc a
city 111 \':high i.) percent :ti its ei1i:'et1- consider Spanish their
pri1I1111'y tun.;ut . 1.x1)allsie(1 of 1!.p telephone answering capability
would perm It llt'llt_•1' eft l:.ell-s. l't'l('t 101' 1:111r to the' 1)epal1CIet1t t11
a noncritical nature, while reducing the number of unnecessary
police dispatches to respond to laatt. 1'- that lai;!it lust as effec-
tively 1)e handled via telephone. This would release scarce patrol
car
time fur the more critical obiective of ensuring public safety.
The new telephone answ1rin4 system wu21d require 13 telephone
answering positions for peak period capability. These positions,
stalled by civilian employees, ltutllcl 1)e interchangeable with the
dispatch positions discussed lieluti.
1''c r would he frequently
rotated to maintain interest and cot11.1es)' in dealing with the public.
Other innovations in the updated telephone procedure include a
means for the immediate and direct transfer o1 galls from outside
`•liami to their proper jurisdiction, ability to transmit a recording
of the c•it izens r( quest for assistance via radio to police officers
('n 1'0Ut e to the citizen making the request. and the provision tor
direct communication Between the responding officer and the citizen
requesting assistance. if such direct C((rl'!i11ication is required ti\
the circumstances.
tartorttuNon of pollee ('(n' dispatch procedure under the guidance of the dispatch sergeant.
.automat ion \coulct replace an out riodt d manual system of receiving
and evaluating dispatch requests w11 ti a computer assisted method of
instantly scanning a i la la e resources and idtnti1ying the police
vehicles best suited tor each dispatch. These elements should reduce
response time t1•, keeping the dispatch officer (onstantl\' informed of
the stall: of his (It'plotd i rc't.s. Automation will also enhance
the dlspatc'hsei%:eant's opportunity to follow procedures in assign-
ing pi'lurltll.s to di snatch*.s so 1)o ro 1'getic\ sitIt(ltions can he side-
i racked behind those of a more routine nature. Tit' central com-
munications and dispatch YOW:1 in the new Police headquarters v':i11
have live dispatch positions. 1n on-line computer will keep a
record of all C:I1•I'cnt patrol act ivit ies and the status of calls in
progress. These five dispatch positions will have video summary
displays of each car's status alld availability. The positions will
be staffed by civilian einplov( os directed by responsible supervisory
police officers.
redesign of the field radio .system to prut•ide clear. an -channel reception throughclu1
the City /Or each patrol (,l fic'('r.
In addition to the voice radio, each police car would be equipped
to receive and display printed messages. Such messages could
ii
provide immediate identity of stolen cars, wanted persons, and out-
standing warrants for arrest of suspects. :1 digital device, also
located in the patrol car, would allow the patrol officer to flash
an encoded message to the dispatch center, signaling any change in
a patrol ear's status. This means of informing headquarters of
changes in status would measurably reduce the volume of conversation
that presently clogs police radio channels, Advances in technology
hold promise 1or further refinements in determining the deployment
of police patrol forces. Automatic ~-chicle locators, although not
yet Fully proven. show Treat potential for assisting the Department's
Command in managing and allocating scarce police resources and in
greatly aiding police officer safety, and are therefore tentatively
recommended.
commill71e11l 10 pursue a con tvinous alit' e((•iire' re'e'1'Hitlllt'llt and tra1!itlrg program.
This would require the appointment of a police captain as super-
visor of recruiting and the creation of a lull -time position of
'.lanager of Lmplovm(nt :1clr',in i -t rat li n. The recruitment officer
should be supported hv lour part -title it•lt. police of 1 ict'rs. :A Recruiting
Advisory t onuni t t ec ,
appointed be the Chief of Police, would offer
guidance in recruitment act ivit it s, assist in the development of
goals and plans for recruiting act ivit its, and give special atten-
tion to the recruitment of black and Spanish --peaking police officers.
refinement of career derelopnlerlt pr(wed 1u'e'.' to include performance reviews as a means
of job evaluation.
Such reviews would include feedback and appeal procedures, enabling
each police officer to fully understand his supervisor's appraisal
of his performance. The Department's system of promotions, rewards,
and punishments would he founded directly upon the results of these
.job evaluations. The performance mechanism presently existing
9
within the Department is not functioning. It will be among the
duties of the newly appointed Manager of Employment .Administration
to make it
work. lob rotation as a means of providing variety of
assignment and giving broader experience, preparing younger police
officers for supervisory roles, and avoiding confining talented
officers for
exte•ndl.d periods of time to areas they consider blind
alleys, should also be adopted as a personnel policy of the Depart -
meat.
modernization of promotional procedures.
This includes making testing mor•e relevant to practical police work,
adopt ion of an oral intcrvicw as an additional method of testing
the qualif icat ions of a cand idat fur promot ion, cancellat ion of
the Civil Service promotion list alter one year's duration, addition
of a physical xamina t ion a5 a cum! ition fot' promotion, and the
prerogative of the Chief oI Police to .elect from among the top
three qualified candidates of each promotional list.
proclamation o/ a policy to M./Lid(' training activities a.'' cI auifor activity of the
Department.
This would expand the basic training of new police oificcrs under
the present Field Training Instructor program, adcl to it the require-
ment that all Miami police devote approximately 5 percent of their
time in upgrading their police skills, and provide for retraining
and superyisc,rytraining of experienced police officers.
retention of an architectural and engineering firm to design and supervise construction
of the authorized new headquarters Building of the .Miami .1lodern Police Department
as outlined in the December 19,,2 Sill report on building requirements.
Further refinement by the S1,I study group of the developmental work
for the building requirements i5 proceeding. Included are the use
of more specialized facilities, such as a video tape studio, video
11)
tape recording, closed circuit TV monitoring, building security,
and further specifications for the communications and computer
'requirements. SRI will collaborate with the architect engineers
in the application of its recommendations to the building's design.
THE HUMAN FACTOR
The above recommendations are designed to produce a police depart-
ment wholly different from the present ford. The Miami Modern Police
Department will be achieved by concentrating upon upgrading the skills
of the people who make up the Department. The greatest cost to a police
department, in economic terms, is the labor cost of providing wages and
benefits for the police officers. Some 88 percent of the police budget
is devoted to personnel services. Police officers themselves are the
Department's greatest asset and must be treated accordingly. To gain
maximum benefit from such heavy expenditure, greater concentration upon
their training and education deserves the highest priority.
The greatest cost to a police department, in human terms, is the
gap of understanding that separates the police officer from the community
he serves. The }ridges of communications that produce understanding and
cooperation must be reinforced in the City of "Miami. This can be achieved
by improving the professionalism of the police officer. In the years
ahead, the prospect of a policeman's role in society is curtain to become
more complex and sensitive.
Consider the environment in which a police officer presently performs
his duties. '1'hc range of exposure that confronts a Miami policeman ex-
tends from acts of violence against persons, property, and institutions
(frequently personified by the policeman himself), to a mercy call for a
lost child, to intervention in a family squabble. The patrolman must be
a courageous, disciplined, humanitarian. Few professions are so demanding.
11
Whenever he receives a call for assistance, which he does a dozen or
so times a dad during each 1U-hour tour of duty, the officer never knows
which or how many of the talents hu must bring to the job, or what ex-
perience he has gained will be called upon. It is therefore clear that
any consideration of im-
proving police effectiveness
most begin with the officer,
and that recruitment and
training, incentive, and
motivation must be the
building blocks of the• Miami
Police Department of the
future. "These key elements
condition the officer's
preparation for his job and
influence his attitude while
on duty. The quality o1 his
policework will be a direct
reflection of the cart taken bt the administrative officers of the Depart-
ment to ensure that the standards are high.
COMMITMENT OF POLICE PATROL
RESOURCES --- 1972
In the years ahead, as a target of pressure groups and as a singular•
and idcnt i t iablc' representative ot established laws and customs, the police
otficer is safe to he the olr)L•ct ot increased attacks by those who wish to
accelerate changes in our society and tashion them to their own particular
liking. No longer merely a law enforcement officer, he will become the
most visible and direct link the average citizen has with hts government.
In future )ears, he is certain to be called upon to perform vital civic
services, assentiai to the basic orderliness of the cornmunitc, yet beyond
the bounds o1 what we traditionally have considered police work. It wi11
take outstanding men to perform these duties.
12
Miami has the opportunity to prepare itself for the rising expec-
tations of its citizens for a more responsive, effective, and profes-
sional Police Department. It should seize the occasion to construct
a civic agency adequate to those heightened demands. But it wi11 take
more than buildings and equipment to accomplish this. It will require
a fuller appreciation of the emerging role of the police in our changing
society.
Having outlined the broad elements of the design for a Miami 'Modern
Police Department, a summary consideration of the steps to be taken to
achieve the modernization follows. This suction Wi11 underscore
some
of the broad areas covered by the SRI recommendations. 'Many specific
suggestions for implementing the major recommendations have already
been discussed with Chief Garmire. Detailed planning for implementation
wi11 require additional and continuing effort.
REFOCUSING 'f1lE FIGHT ON CIRI:,IE
We must begin to see the police functioning as an aggressive agency
that anticipates the pl•oblems, reduces the opportunities, and increases
the risks of committing crime. For too long, we have been conditioned
to think of police action as a response to law breaking. The Miami
Modern Police Department wi11 take the initiative to prevent crime.
:1 major element in accomplishing this goal is the institution o1
a long range planning function which wi11 enable the Miami 'Modern Police
Department to shift its posture, its tactics and its resources away
from reaction and response to specific events toward a coordinated allo-
cation of resources. The concept of strategic planning is a systematic
approach to planning the long term policies of the Department in response
10 changing situations in the community and in anticipating both future
13
r
problems and opportunities. :\ Strategic Planning Executive Council,
made up of senior members of the Department, and supported by a staff
of civilian planning specialists, would be charged with this responsi-
bility. Separation of this council From day -to -clay operations is im-
perative if the 'Miami Modern Police Department is to extend itself past
the daily concerns of maintaining law and order in the City today towards
equipping itself for the ,job of
guaratltceing the citizens of the City a
safer, better place to live and work in the future. The policy makers
of the Department would then be prepared for the changing environment
of the City, alerted to the shifts in custom and practices or its citi-
zens and aided in their need to identify the emerging trends that would
permit the 'Miami police officer to maintain close identification with
the changed community.
Additional reorganization of the Department would streamline its
operational command and grant increased stature to other vital areas of
internal Departmental management. :\ Technical Services Division would
hold responsibility for Criminal Identification and I,ecords, Telecommuni-
cations System Development, Property Storage and Supply, Information
Services, and a Physical Evidence tntt. ',1anag;('mcnt Services would be
responsible for Personnel Services. Fiscal and Budgeting Services, and
Internal Affairs. .and the Operational Division xould include the office
of the watch commander, communications, and vice operations.
Traditionally, police departments have been organized along opera-
tional lines that subdivide the police function into narrow and somewhat
artificial categories. Traffic, patrol, and criminal investigation are
examples. In the Miami Modern Police Department such artificial barriers
should be removed. This will increase the police commander's flexibility
in allocating and assigning his men to the areas where and when they are
most needed. One homogeneous operational organization will greatly
11
increase the ability of the police commander to experiment and develop
new methods of police work without disrupting the regular work of the
Department.
MAJOR ORGANIZATIONAL ELEMENTS OF THE MIAMI MODERN POLICE DEPARTMENT
The consolidation of technical services supporting police work wi11
establish clear linos of accountability. Management services, such as
payroll, accounting, budgeting, and such newer services as career develop-
ment and counseling will provide maximum cilectiveness if concentrated in
a separate division.
Proper handling of personnel records, payroll, etc., is mandatory for
the efficient operation of any organization, Within a police department,
an officer's morale, .job satisfaction, and the efficient performance of
his duty demand that these matters be properly processed. Realization
that there is growth potential in his position, coupled with a programmed
rotation of his assignments that offers him the opportunity to familiarize
himself with all aspects of police work, demonstrates to an officer that
15
•
the management of the department is concerned with his personal ,job
satisfaction and career development.
Such overt interest in the men and women of the 'Miami 'Modern Police
Department will ensure the retention in service of the greatest asset the
Department can have: the experienced police officers themselves.
In the area of Departmental reorganization, to be completed by the
end of 1975, SRI recommends the following:
(1) Creation of a Strategic Planning group
(2) Strengthening of the technical and management services,
forming two separate divisions
(3) Consolidation of the operational units of the Department
under one Command
(•1) Improved methods of intra-departmental communications
from Chief to patrol officer
(5) Establishment of a regular means through which repre-
sentatives of rank -and -file police officers can air
their grievances and suggestions to the Chief
(6) Establishment of a Departmental .appeals Board, to
consider natters of internal control and discipline
(7) Revision of Civil Service tests and procedures for
promotion.
TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGY
Information and communications are the brick and mortar of police -
work. The more reliable they are, the more this information is made
available to the officer on patrol, the better the job he can do.
Information collected automatically as a by-product of the assign-
ment and dispatch orders of the desk sergeant can be constantly appraised
to determine total number of dispatches, nature and variety, and frequency
by hour, day, week, month, or City Sector, Such information can show
16
the efficiency of the Department in responding to requests for assistance.
From this, a supervisor can establish dispatch priorities based upon an
analysis of statistical probabilities, adjust and reallocate his assign-
ments to reflect this likelihood of need, forecast the fluctuations in
manpower requirements, and speed dispatch to a citizen calling for assis-
tance. Goals for service can be established, and the effectiveness of
police response to a citizen's plea can be measured, evaluated, and im-
proved upon. In the area of electronic data processing, SRI recommends
the following:
(1) An immediate decision, in principle, to develop an exten-
sive information system for the Miami Modern Police De-
partment.
(2) Authorization to prepare specifications and requirements
for the data processing system.
(3) Authorization, through a formal working agreement with
Dade County, to coordinate the development of the City's
data processing system, using the applicable existing
information subsystems employed by the Dade County Public
Safety Department.
(-I) Immediate hiring of one full-time Senior Information
Systems Specialist for the Department's data processing
staff who can begin preparing plans to upgrade the
present Miami Police Department data processing capabili-
ties.
(5) Immediate employment of four data processing specialists,
including a Systems Development Manager, two Systems
Analysts, and a Dispatch Analyst. These experts will
initiate the system development work, which will take up
to five years to complete. The specialists can be City
or contractor employees. It is necessary that they be
retained in the near future so that the job of creating
full data processing capability can get underway.
17
HEARING 17I1: CALL FOR III:LP
The initial contact citizens in need have with the police is often
via telephone, Many City of Miami residents experience difficulty in
communicating their problems to the police over the telephone because,
under stress, they cannot express themselves in English well enough to
be understood.
To remedy this, as well as to establish a method of screening
calls, identifying emergency situations, and increasing the number of
citizen complaints that can be handled without dispatch of a patrol car,
SR1 recommends a Veholly new answering procedure. It would permit several
innovations. For example, operators fluent in Spanish would always be on
hand to speak to a Spanish-speaking person whose English is marginal.
Calls coming into t!to Cit} from neighborint, jurisdictions would be easily
routed to the proper agency, and all tlonurent or nonpolice complaints
or inquiries v.ould be 1ven
reasonable, cout•t cuu-, and
helpful responses without
further need to conduit valuable
police resources. This t+otgld
be accomplished through a
primary'secondary telephone
operator system, through which
all calls Mould be routed to
persons best equipped to handle
various situatioIls.
EDShaded area rndreates oo>rce action
•Friday October 13, 1972, Saturday October 14, 1972.
TELEPHONE REQUESTS FOR POLICE SERVICE
DURING A 48-HOUR PERIOD'
is
A citizen would be assured
of better service, whether his
call demanded priority dispatch
or even if it merely sought
information about some matter of concern. Because nonpriority calls could
be handled in a more efficient manner 'ithout the need fur dispatching a
patrol car, the likelihood of delay in responding to emergency calls
would be greatly reduced.
Further communications advances recommended by SRI would also ensure
better public service. Emergency calls, which even now are currently
recorded as matter of policy, would he replayed via radio -telephone patch
to the police officer dispatched to the emergency. This has implications
for the officer's personal safety and for reducing. as much as possible,
the amount of confusion and misunderstanding attending most emergencies.
Each Miami police officer is presently equipped with a personal
radio. The low pottier level of these radios requires a network of re-
peater sites so that ut t ic(rs can reliably talk to the dispatcher. :1t
the present time there is an instilticieat number of repeater sites.
Installation of at least two additional radio repeater relays would
eliminate this shortcoming. Additional repeaters should be located
within those large office buildings where the need exists to contact
police, fire, and other city service personnel within the building.
Further expansion of the radio communications system to the active use
of seven radio channels is envisioned.
'technology offers the promise of improving they management of mobile
resources by providing the patrol ca:• dispatch system with accurate car
location information at all times. This vehicle locator technology
is
making rapid strides forward. Even a relatively small reduction of re-
• sponse time resulting from this information couldsignificantly increase
19
1.
•
COMMAND AND COMMUNICATIONS CENTER
patrol effectiveness. At the
present time there are uncer-
tainties as to the technical
and operational performance
of these systems. Vehicle
locators are nevertheless
tentatively recommended, with
the prevision that progress in
the development and application
of these systems should be closely evaluated before a final commitment
is made.
ing:
•
In the area of advanced communications, SRl recommends the follow -
(I) Provision 1or a Command and Control Center in the new
police building based on the primary secondary concept
of telephone service and computer aided dispatch.
(2) A single job dcscript ion encompassing both complaint and
dispatch operators so that the individuals holding those
positions can interchange their jobs. :A bonus incentive
should be offered for a hilingual English Spanish capa-
bility,
(3) Ability to "phone -patchy recorded conversations of citi-
zens requesting assistance directly to the police officer
enroute to the scene.
(•1) Capability of establishing direct radio -telephone contact
between the dispatched police officer enroute and the
citizen request ing aid.
(5) Addition of two new radio repeater sites and the adoption
of a policy that special sites for repeaters be reserved
in tall buildings throughout Miami.
(6) Study of the economic benefits to the City that might
accrue by purchase and City -ownership of its own
90
private telephone system within the new Police Head-
quarters building and interconnected to the commercial
system serving the City.
(7) Digital display units to be placed in each of the
Department's Police cars, providing visible records
of information transmitted to the car from headquarters.
(8) Ise o1 a simplified push-button coded signal device to
transmit routine messages without the need for voice
communications.
(9) :Automatic vehicle locators, subject to thorough test
and evaluation.
"GET ME THE POLICE! -
The City of ',Iiami is the heart of southern Florida. Many people
consider that they -live in Miami' regardless of the particular municipal
jurisdiction in which they actually reside. As a growing center for
business, inter -American trade, culture, and industry, Miami's popula-
tion during the clay exceeds 100.O00 (not including tourists), the densest
concentration of people in all of Florida. :a11 of them are the responsi-
bility of Miami's Police Department. Its efticiency in maintaining law
and order contributes directly to the investment decisions of major
corporations and institutions considering establishment or expansion of
national or regional headquarters within Miami, The economic future of
Miami is largely dependent upon the people's confidence that they can
conduct their business affairs in -afety. As a tourist and business
center, Miami draws thousands of visitors each day. They are frequently
in need of police assistance. The adoption of the widely used police
emergency number, 911, has greatly simplified the procedure of quickly
contacting the police in other areas of the nation. As a means of
speeding and simplifying contact with the police, adoption of 911 should
be a goal of the Miami Police Department, Calls from neighboring .juris-
dictions that are the responsibility of other police departments or
21
civic agencies can he easily transferred. In considering the space
requirements for the new headquarters of the Miami Modern Police Depart-
ment, the Communications (;enter should include expansion space for a
regional I)11 capability. This would establish the City of Miami as the
leader in the area and give it a central role in any future expansion
of this capability throughout the region.
A GREAT PLACE TO LIVL--:1 GUOI) PLACE TO IVORK
The Miami area. with its natural attractiveness and pleasant climate,
topped by its national reputation as a mecca of sports, entertainment,
outdoor life, and gracious living, is a natural draw to thousands of young
people throughout the nation.
Planned, aggressive recruiting of candidates tot' police work in
has a higher potential tar positive results than recruitment work
by other polio departments in less attractive or interesting parts of
the nation. Thus '.'ia;;ii can set its standards high. 1t can seek out
talented young men irons the armed !Drew, minority groups, and from among -
the thousands el Spanish-speaking young people concentrated in southern
Florida.
A grad department is built by good people. And butter people,
properly managed and equipped with the most advanced equipment, wi11
help ntak( the Miami Modern Police Department the model police department
for the nation.
Better entry education levels must be considered. A program of
self-improvement should be stressed. To aid in this, provisions for in-
service training on a continuing basis, and programmed job rotation to
assure broad knowledge of police operations should be delegated as a
formal responsibility to a polio' officer designated Supervisor of Train-
ing. In short, the "Miami Modern Police Department must make a full scale
commitment to provide for training and retraining of its personnel as an
essential part of its operations.
'fhe training period should be increased and interspersed with practi-
cal experience under the direction of experienced supervisory personnel
as an extension of the Department's successful Field Training Instructor
program. 'Thc work of these 'field training instructors should be recog-
nized through bonus incentive reward,n, thus providing a stimulus for
advancement and growth in the .job of the experienced policeman. Advance-
ment procedures, Civil Service testing, equality of opportunity for pro-
motion, and increased lob recognition must be built into the system if
personnel arc to maintain high morale and retain interest and enthusiasm
for their work --the mark of truly professional police officers.
Knowing the score on hoa
is an important aspect of
your work is regarded by your supervisor
lob satisfaction. For years the Miami Police
Department hl- had a performance t•ry,c •:. s>> routine ;hat just about every-
one rates a s.tti f_ictot•v.
In any organization, all persons will not
perform at the same level. The present performance review procedure
should be completely overhauled to make this procedure meaningful, to
enable a police officer to 1 iio., 1io . .ell he performs, and to provide some
means of advancing the more talented, interested, and effective police
officer to positions of greater responsibility. This ui11 include pro-
vision for the extensive training c>l supervisors to teach them how
10
conduct the performance evaluation, the fol1ou-up interview pith the
officer being evaluated, and the follow. -up system of implementing: the
results of those inter) ievs to better relate the police officer to his
job.
Getting the hoed' about P,llat's going on in any organization is
another essential element of job satisfaction. \111)1n the Miami Police
33
Department it is important 1e,1' the command ranks to provide a steady,
clear, and lull Firm of information to the Icluer ranking officers in the
field. Frequent appearance's by the command staff at roll calls, and ex-
tensive use of audio-visual means to yet the word.. out are examples.
A committee, composed of representatives of the various employee
organizations such as the FOP, PDA, CPL':1, and GE:1, would provide a means
of airing grievances about job procedures that might forestall formal
actions and thus provide a means of settling on -the -,lob complaints in a
friendlier way.
Success. as ntcasul'cri by the opportunity for promotions, is essential
to maintaining high morale throughout an organization.
There are several recommcndat ivns, 5.-;t)1nt.• of which were mentioned
earlier, regarding civil Service testin..: th I1 sno.rld be adopted. Among
them are revision of t!te 1 t st each •.tar, its review by senior members ol
the Department to ass'.:1't its 1't. 1t `.'et',1C•, too police matters, creation of a
new promotion list tacit 12 morlt:•,s. and adopt
on ol the rule of three to
grant the Chiet discretion in choosin slniol' commanders.
Specilic•allr, ill the areas ot 1ecr.titment, trainin&l, personnel
policy, and trot ivat ion, Si,1 recommends the following:
(1) :1 personnel services organization should be created, headed
by a '•Ianager ol Personnel Services, He should be supported
by two civilian specialists, a .tanager o1 Employment Ad-
ministration and a Manager of Training and Education. In
addition, the Miami Police Department should hire a full-
time psychologist skilled in both industrial and clinical
psychology to develop and administer a career counseling
program and to assist in developing and carrying out the
Department's training programs. He should report to the
Manager o1 Employment Administration.
(2) A Supervisor of ltt•cruiting, reporting to the Manager of
Employment Administration, with at least the rank of
2.1
Captain should be designated. Ile should be supported
by lour police officers roughly half-time, depending
upon recruiting needs. The Supervisor of Recruiting
should develop objectives and plans for an extensive
Departmental recruiting activity. Funds should be provided
to cover the t ravel and subsistence costs of the recruit-
ing staff and to permit hiring qualified candidates on an
interim basis until recruit training classes begin.
(3) Special plans and efforts need to be made for the re-
cruitment of black's and Spanish-speaking personnel.
(4) The Director of Personnel should begin an active study
of raising the entry level of educational standards.
(5) The training program of recruits should he increased
25 percent, to 121(1 hours. This would include 210 hours
spent either in riding time with fully qualified police
officers or in accompanying other police specialists in
their activities.
(6) Field Training Instructors should be provided with a
bonus incentive while they serve in this capacity.
(7) The probationary period ul
increased to 18 months.
neu recruits should he
(8) Top priority should he given to middle -management train-
ing for sergeant, lieutenant, and captain.
BUILDING 1QR EFFICIENCY
Construction of a new Police Headquarters was endorsed by the citi-
zens of Miami as in expression of their support for a 'Miami Modern Police
Department, The new building should accommodate the new organization of
the Department, In a report submitted in December 1972, SRI outlined the
major requirements. Additional work on detailing these requirements is
continuing, and close collaboration with the architect and engineers will
be required as the design and construction phase proceeds.
In summary, the following arc the basic provisions of the building,
as outlined in December 1972.
25
The building will provide central facilities for the Department
through the year 2000. It will enclose approximately 100,000 square feet
of usable space in a building of some 1-10,000 square feet gross area.
Parking will be
provided for Department vehicles, Department employees,
and for visitors.
All critical operations, including parking of the Department vehicles,
will be located 5 feet above street grade level. This will ensure the
safety of the vehicles and continuous, unimpeded operations in the event
of a storm -impelled flooding. The building will also have an emergency
power unit to generate sufficient electricity to maintain light, communi-
cations, limited air conditioning, water, and sewerage in the event of a
natural catastrophe or civil disorder --in which case the building would
serve as an Emergency Operating Center.
As to general specifications, the building must be easily accessible
to the public and built of materials that denote permanence. It should
provide facilities that can be used to develop community resources, allow
special investigations to be conducted without intrusion into normal
areas of administrative or operational use, and permit convenient public
entry to the Identification and 1;c•cords section.
The core of the building wi11 contain a secure, atmosphere controlled
Computer Center. A prime teatu:.• )1 the new building will be a large,
Command and Control center that oversees the combined communications and
dispatch section. This center would be equipped with a status board that
constantly indicates the availability of police resources. Such a center
will prove valuable in normal operations and during times of crisis or
catastrophe.
26
THE PRICE TAG
The cost of building a Miami Modern Police Department has been
projected over seven years, through 1980. The greatest incremental
costs will occur during the construction phase of the new building.
Estimates of the cost of the new headquarters arc based solely on publicly
stated forecasts of S10.5 million.
The total investment cost of each of the major subsystems is shown
in the accompanying bar chart. The bulk of these funds would be committed
in the first two years, during the building construction phase. The
yearly expenditures range is as follows:
.0,1110W. 1)i DOLLAR,:
10
N
E
2--
D
OT at
all &T{TI
MOO 011.G II..ORMA 'Oh COMIALOW
M Cat1OM
U
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
Year Expenditures
1973-74 S5.8 million
74-75 7.3
75-76 2.1
76-77 1.9
77-78 1.3
78-79 0.1
79-80 0.1
n
V I IIICI I
LOCATORS
The expenditures occurring after 1977-78
represent the purchase of police radio
equipment.
In addition to the investment costs,
the recommendations cited in this report
will have a financial impact on the oper-
ating budget. The primary expense will
come from the salaries of the recommended
additional personnel. The staff recom-
mended for immediate employment will have
a combined annual salary of about
$300, 000. Additional personnel buildup
in the communications operations and the
27
;'i
Data Processing Center will be required as the program becomes operational.
The total staff :buildup, reached in I'1• 1979-80, will have a combined annual
salary of S600, (tt)O,
benefits.
with an additional $1 00 , 000
J
L
INCREMENTAL ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENDITURES
yearly required for fringe
:Another category of annual ex-
penses is maintenance and supplies
fot' the police headquarters build-
ing, and for the communications and
data processing systems. This will
amount to an additional annual ex-
pence of S300,000 when the program
is fully implemented.
'i'he allocation of these opur-
at ing expenditures to, the major
program areas is shown in the bar
chal't •
THHIS IS THE CI.1.Y
'fh•• policeman holds a unique
position in our society. No public
official in our democracy is invested Vtitii as much discretionary authority
or placed in such intimate contact with its citizens. And the role of the
police officer in the City 01 '•lianli is particularly sensitive because of
the changing nature of tilt. coniri,lnitY.
No American city in the modern era has been called upon, in such a
compressed period of time, to accommodate so heave a concentration of
foreign born refugees, who, while talented and last' abiding, for the most
part arrived in this country destitute, clisspiritucl, and alien to our
language, culture and customs.
In the past decade, the character of Miami has been transformed. In
the decade ahead, almost sinl;lehandedly, Miami must cope with the problems
of assimilating this vast number of refugees into American culture as they
become citizens of the United States and exert their influence on its
government and society.
In 1970, according to the U.S. Census, 13 percent of Miami's popula-
tion was composed of persons of Spanish language," 23 percent were black,
and the remaining 32 percent were primarily English-speaking whites. Indi-
cations are that the percentages of Spanish-speaking people and blacks are
still increasing.
cnplilATInN
400 —
50
30,J
:50 -
:oll
10U — 28
50
19
0
0.19 20-34
213
35 54
iT
55.64
AGE
100
15
65 & over
Total
IAII Agesl
RACIAL/ETHNIC COMPOSITION OF MIAMI BY AGE
The 197() census also showed that the City had a labor force of
145,000 workers and provided jobs for an additional 100,000 who lived
,9
outside the municipal boundaries. The school population was 72,000.
Miami had a greater percentage of citizens of foie income, and
with fewer
years of normal education, than found in comparable cities in the United
States.
Even before the rapid influx of Cubans to Miami, the City was unique.
With their arrival, it became almost singular among American cities in
many respects. Miami was alone among densely populated American cities
of over 100,000 population in 1960 to increase its population signifi-
cantly in the decade of the 1960s. With 335,000 permanent residents
in 1970, Miami ranked as the 16th most densely populated city in the U.S.,
and had an average of 9,763 persons living in each of its 31-1 2 square
miles. When one considers the relatively few high rise and multiple
dwelling units in Miami, a city of primarily single story, one -family
dwellings, the density factor is given added significance. Should a
trend toward construction of multiple dwelling units develop, the popula-
tion density would noticeably increase.
Beyond its recently arrived Cuban population, 'Miami has for many
years been the pre lerreci ne'.+ home of many of the nation's senior citi-
zens who relocate in '.Miami and its surrounding area. This is one reason
Miami has a greater imbalance between females and males than is generally
experienced, a relatively larger female labor force, and fewer children.
The aforementioned strategic• pl:inning activity must be based on an
understanding of these der: gr.iphi( data, .tiliich, of necessity, should bt
regularly revised and updated to keep abreast of the changing community.
THE NAME OF THE GAME
What do the citizens of Miami think of their police force. To find
out, SRI sought the views of some 300 local residents and weighted its
sample to reflect the makeup of the community.
30
The survey found, similar to the Gallup poll mentioned at the start
of this report, that citizens' concern for protection against crime
was widespread. This was particularly striking among Miami's elderly
citizens, who constitute a significant portion of the population --
according to 1970 census figures 1.5 percent of Miami residents were 65
or older, while the crime rate concern of City officials is city-wide,
the individual's concern is tor the safety of his neighborhood. City-
wide figures do not enter into a person's view o1
crime or his safety
on the streets. According to the SR1 survey, a person is
most likely
to talk about the safety of his block, or his apartment house.
The average citizen of Miami looks upon the police as much more than
Cl'inle tighte'I's.
While not discounting police responsibility for pro-
tecting himself and others from crime, the citizen looks to the Police
Department tor various social services as well. These include traffic
control. Leuer'a1 information, directions to City locations, etc The
pool', and 16.1 11* t'IL-tlt ol Miami's residents have C1r1 annual income less
than s;i,tltlt) por veal., particularly look 10 thk police tor social assistance
services.
The most common measur, used fey citizens in evaluating police ellec-
tiyeness is the time in which it takes a police officer to arrive, once
aid is requested. The record shows the average response to a citizen's
request takes H minutes. True to citizen's belie', the record is better
for some sections of the City than for others.
The police officer's conduct and his manner of treating citizens
upon arrival is the other major measure citizens use to rate police
officers.
The key to providing good relationships between the police and the
Miami citizen, according to the survey, lies in the ability of the police
to be visible and approachable by the public, and in the officer's
31
ability to communicate with the citizens in their day-to-day dealings.
Thus, the Miami policeman is seen by the citizen as much as a 'peace
officer as he is a crime fighter. And in maintaining peace, an
"ideal" police officer is looked upon as open minded, tree of racial or
ethnic prejudice, courteous, sensit i"c to the Viewpoint or situation of
others, and capable of both listening and clearly explaining a situation.
The desire is for .1 police officer who is
disciplined as well as trained.
The greatest complaint voiced about the police was that they were
often slow to respond. This view was expressed most often be the black
community.
SRI reviewed a sample of telephone requests for service over a 18-
hour period to determine exactly the kinds of demands that are made for
police services. It found that 61 percent of the incoming telephone
calls to the Department requited police dispatch. Of these 61 percent,
27 percent were related to trim, , +•Itile 31 percent concerned other
matters that required police intervention. 01 the 39 percent of tele-
phone calls that did not require dispatch of a police officer. 22 percent
were handled by referral to the proper civic or social agency concerned
with the matter for which the citizen was seeking help: 8 percent required
no further action; and 9 percent Cell into a miscellaneous category.
From this sample, 1t is seen that criminal related activity is in-
volved in about one -quarter of telephone service requests, with the re-
maining 73 percent almost evenly divided between those social services
that the citizen expects the police officer to perform, and those matters
unrelated to police work.
When police action, as measured by the commitment of police resources,
was studied further, the SRI review showed that 35 percent of patrol dis-
patches were for noncriminal causes, 19 percent were related to traffic
matters, 11 percent related to ma for crimes, 19 percent dealt with other
39
criminal activity, and 16 percent provided backup support to the first
police car responding to a call. Again, crime related actions account
for only one out of every four dispatches.
.What this suggests is that the "name of the game," in terms both of
actual experience and the citizen's view of a police officer's responsi-
bility, is public service. The citizen expects much from the police.
To provide the services expected, the police officer has to be a diplomat
as well as a soldier.
Reorganization and modernization may sometimes appear as abstract
concepts. Put the way in ',which we arrange our efforts, and the tools
we use to assist our labors, have proved time and attain an effective
means by '.which mankind solves his problems.
Thu restructuring of the 'Miami Police Department into the Miami
Modern Police is a means, readily at hand, to create a safer, more secure
cite. In the finest traditions of public service, the police officer
and the responsible government official have responded to the urgent
plea of the citizen.
CN7
33