Austerity policing's imperative: Understanding the drivers of policing activity in Canada. (June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huey, Laura; Cyr, Kevin; Ricciardelli, Rose
• Is Part Of: International journal of police science & management. Volume 18:Number 2(2016)
• Page Start: 133
• Page End: 139
• Publication Date: 2016-06
• Subjects: Economics of policing -- administrative drivers -- operational drivers -- cost-cutting; Police administration -- Periodicals; Criminal justice, Administration of -- Periodicals; 363.205
• DOI: 10.1177/1461355716645358
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1461-3557

Abstract

Most, if not all, police agencies are grappling with budget cuts at a time when demand for their services remains high. Discussions of how to best rationalize police service costs are challenged by the fact that police activities have grown so vast in size and scope that they present a conceptual muddle for would-be cost-cutters. Further, any recommendations for cuts tend to ignore larger and more systemic issues. In this article, we attempt to shed some conceptual clarity by mapping a range of workload and other demands that fall within two general domains of policing activity, termed here "operational" and "administrative" drivers. We believe that improved understanding of these drivers will shed needed light on how police organizations can best tackle what appears to be an intractable problem.