Perceptions of quality in criminal investigations: Police investigators, supervisors and prosecutors
Item
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Title
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Perceptions of quality in criminal investigations: Police investigators, supervisors and prosecutors
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Identifier
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d_2009_2013:3367c8799726:11114
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identifier
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11411
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Creator
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Tarwacki, Robert Edward, Sr.,
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Contributor
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Warren Benton | Peter Mameli
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Date
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2011
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Criminology | Public administration | criminal | investigation | police | prosecutors | quality | total quality management
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Abstract
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The purpose of this research is to test whether the most meaningful qualities of a well-run investigation can be identified through an examination of actual investigation reports that have produced both successful and unsuccessful outcomes. Through the identification of these salient factors, case managers will be able to better monitor the work of their investigators, provide better training for them and possibly increase the number of cases with favorable outcomes within their agencies.;In the law enforcement community, there are three main actors in the investigative process. They are the case investigator, the investigator's supervisors and commanders, and the prosecutor or assistant district attorney who will accept or reject a case for adjudication. Each of these public servants has a critical role to play in the criminal justice system and each, in their own way, contribute to the ultimate quality of a criminal investigation.;Investigators are the "tip of the spear" who document criminal complaints and perform all of the initial footwork in the investigative process. They engage in routine police activities such as checking criminal records, canvassing for witnesses, preserving evidence and identifying suspects. Their first benchmark of quality is to meet and sustain a level of proof known as probable cause.;Law enforcement supervisors and commanders must see that the proper resources are available to their line investigators. In the absence of necessary resources, an investigator is handicapped and the level of quality in an investigation can drop off sharply. Transportation, partners, money to pay informants, scheduling of work hours, and access to technical equipment all contribute to case quality. In addition, supervisors must maintain healthy levels of discipline, morale and motivation in order to keep their workers operating a peak efficiency levels. They represent upper management and are the agents of communication to the rank and file on agency policy.;The role of the prosecutor is critical. Prosecutors carry out a quasi-judicial function and provide the link between the investigator and the court system. It is the prosecutor's job to judge case quality and review the legal sufficiency of the case at hand, as well as to recommend which charges will be brought against a defendant, which cases will be plea bargained and which will go to trial. In some cases, their decision might be nolle prosequi or to decline prosecution if they believe a case is poorly crafted and lacks the required levels of proof.;These three groups were therefore chosen to be participants in a study of what constitutes quality in a criminal investigation. In addition, only the most experienced of these practitioners were sought to participate in in-depth interviews designed to solicit their thoughts and insights about investigational quality and how they define it.;The reviewed literature has suggested that there are three paradigms to quality investigative work: the attributes of the work output (the case file), the personal attributes of the investigator, and the chosen managerial techniques used by the agency. However, the existing literature fails to examine whether these are three independent phenomena, or if there is a synergistic relationship among them. This research proposes that all three forces work together to enhance quality ensuring that optimal results are attained.;A group of thirty participants were enrolled in the research. In total, they represented some 816 years of criminal justice experience. Their responses to a pre-scripted interview were recorded and analyzed using Nvivo-9 software for qualitative analysis. Through the use of word frequency analysis, the most frequently cited quality attributes in all three paradigms have been identified.;The attributes of case quality were identified as routine police activities, thoroughness, completeness, knowledge, organization and teamwork, while desirable personality attributes for investigators were determined to be experience, integrity and knowledge.;With regard to managerial techniques, the most detrimental activity was identified as micro-management. There was a strong sense that investigators should "own" the work that they are assigned. The most frequently cited positive managerial action was providing positive feedback to investigators. The overwhelmingly preferred choice of management style was consultative management.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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2009_2013.csv
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degree
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Ph.D.
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Program
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Criminal Justice
