What management assistance does DCJS offer?
On request, the Crime Prevention & Law Enforcement Services Section will consult on-site with the locality on any issues of operational or administrative performance. Most commonly, DCJS is requested to conduct overall assessments of management practice in law enforcement agencies. These assessments of an agency’s strengths and weaknesses produce recommendations for improvement, consistent with the standards established by the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission. Past requests for management assistance have involved an examination of staffing levels, salary surveys, recommendations for planning a new police building, and designing a beat patrol plan.

How are these studies undertaken?
Any local law enforcement executive may contact the Crime Prevention & Law Enforcement Services Section to discuss his or her agency’s needs and informally outline what DCJS can do to help. Based on the informal discussion, the executive writes a letter to DCJS requesting the study. Consistent with other projects, DCJS shall assign one or more staff to the study, who will then develop a plan with the local executive. A typical study involves on-site visits to interview agency members, observe how sworn and non-sworn personnel do their jobs, examine an agency’s paperwork (from dispatch logs to investigative reports to standing orders or policies), inspect facilities and equipment, and conduct whatever surveys or questionnaires have been agreed upon. Once the work begins, most studies take between three and six months, depending on the nature of the task.

Is the locality obligated to implement the recommendations of a study?
No. All DCJS studies are advisory only. The local agency is not obligated in any way to implement the study’s recommendations. Further, any recommendations to adjust staffing or salary levels are not binding, either. If an agency desires further help in implementing any recommendations, DCJS will continue to work with the agency in this regard.

What do these studies cost?
In most cases, management studies cost the locality nothing. DCJS may request help with the costs of overnight lodging for the staff who conduct the study.