Production Factors in Policing Services*

Abstract

The demand for increased public protection has become a major public issue of our times. The usual American response of increased resources has been applied but has had less than the desired effects. This paper analyzes the existing production factors in the provision of policing services in terms of the efficiency with which these services are delivered. The efficiency analysis occurs on a number of levels: ( 1 ) the use of existing resources, ( 2 ) alternative allocation at the existing resource level, ( 3 ) alternative technologies, and ( 4 ) the tasks and services which should be undertaken. The effects and implications of exogenous changes upon crime and policing services are considered and the problems and needs for change in the production factors for policing services are presented.