"Making Police Reforms Endure" U. S. Department of Justice, April 2010.

Police reforms seem to follow a pattern: Reforms are implemented;
some are evaluated by independent researchers; but even in cases where there is evidence of success, it is not clear that reforms become a sustained departmental effort. Institutionalization of a police reform occurs when the reform becomes a way of regularly conducting police business. More specifically, institutionalization occurs when certain norms, values, and structures are incorporated into an organization. For
institutionalization of police reform to occur, therefore, a department must demonstrate a sustained commitment to the reform.

Making Police Reforms Endure: The Keys for Success presents a framework that other police departments can use and test in their efforts to institutionalize police reforms. The points put forth are based on findings in the authors’ 2007 study of problem oriented policing in the Charlotte Mecklenburg (North Carolina) Police Department, but have general applicability to various police reforms such as problem oriented policing, community policing, and accountability measures.

In addition, the guide discusses the key issue of the importance of understanding a department’s culture when attempting to institutionalize police reforms. Such an assessment consists of examining officer attitudes, knowledge, and behavior toward reform. If deficiencies are found in any of these three areas, and if officer and organizational buy in is not obtained, the likelihood of the reform becoming institutionalized is very low. The policy and procedural changes and recommendations outlined in this publication will help departments obtain officer buy in. Throughout the document, the authors present 11 recommendations that can be considered strategies for implementing and institutionalizing police reform.


Link:
http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/files/RIC/Publications/e04106264_policereforms_fin.pdf