| A central mission of any American policing organization is to serve and protect the community in which it operates. Accomplishing their mission is difficult due to erratic and diminishing financial support. Public funding entities and the communities that they represent mandate that police organizations become efficient, effective and professional within an active community-based policing philosophy. To meet this challenge, many police executives are implementing strategies to reduce costs and increase efficiency. One such strategy is based on reducing their highest expenditure: personnel. The strategy to accomplish this is commonly referred to as civilianization. Initially, civilianization was just considered with general cost-cutting measures for personnel; however, myriad other benefits have become evident. These benefits, as well as limitations, are examined in the current project. As the project report draws out, civilianization potentially provides policing agencies with many benefits; however, there are also concerns and serious issues that must be addressed. |
