[Federal Register: March 3, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 41)] [Notices] [Page 10321-10322] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr03mr99-105] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Office of Community Oriented Policing Services; Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request ACTION: Notice of Information Collection Under Review; National Survey of Police Executives, District Commanders and Agencies. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval is being sought for the information collection listed below. This proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register on August 12, 1998 to allow 60 days for public comment. Emergency OMB approval has been requested by March 3, 1999. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comments from the date listed at the top of this page in the Federal Register. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 Code of Federal Regulation, Part 1320.10. Written comments and/or suggestions regarding the item(s) contained in this notice, especially regarding the estimated public burden and associated response time, should be directed to the Office of Management and Budget, Office of Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Department of Justice Desk Officer, Washington, DC, 20530. Additionally, comments may be submitted to OMB via facsimile to 202-395-7285. Comments may also be submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Justice Management Division, Information Management and Security Staff, Attention: Department Clearance Officer, Suite 850, 1001 G Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20530. Additionally, comments may be submitted to DOJ via facsimile to 202-514-1534. Written comments may also be submitted to the COPS Office, PPSE Division, 1100 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20530, or via facsimile at (202) 633-1386. Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies should address one or more of the following points: (1) evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency/component, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) evaluate the accuracy of the agency's/component's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. The proposed collection is listed below: (1) Type of information collection. New collection. (2) The title of the form/collection. National Survey of Police Executives, District Commanders and Agencies [[Page 10322]] (3) The agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department sponsoring the collection. Form: COPS 28/01. Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, United States Department of Justice. (4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract. A sample of local law enforcement agency heads and precinct/district commanders that have received grant funding from the COPS Office will be surveyed regarding the nature and extent of community policing implementation in their agencies and precincts/ districts. To uphold its mandate, the COPS Office has awarded hiring and redeployment grants, innovative grants, and training grants to over 10,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide. While the COPS Office has made significant strides in funding officers it is important to consider the 1994 Crime Bill and the emergence of COPS in a long-term perspective. The proposed survey aims to answer questions regarding the nature and extent of community policing implementation across the United States. COPS data and prior national surveys of community policing implementation are limited in their capacity to describe how extensive community policing implementation is. In addition, existing data sets do not permit exploration of the likelihood that implementation of community policing varies within jurisdictions, particularly large ones that are decentralized to precinct or district levels. This factor is particularly important because a key element in much of the community policing reform literature is the importance of delegating decision making to the lowest level in the organization. The National Survey of Police Executives, District Commanders and Agencies will be able to capture variations within a jurisdiction. Surveys will incorporate elements that the COPS Office has identified as key components of community policing and will draw upon prior surveys, other literature, and prior knowledge to develop a comprehensive listing of community policing elements. Questions will provide more precise information about the extent to which each element is implemented. (5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: This collection is being conducted in two phases as a pilot survey and a larger follow- up survey. Two sections, Section A and Section B will be utilized; a total of approximately 6700 respondents will be surveyed. Estimated time to complete Section A is 20 minutes with no preparation time; estimated time to complete Section B is 1.5 hours including preparation time. (6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection. Approximately 6141.6 hours. Public comment on this proposed information collection is strongly encouraged. Dated: February 26, 1999. Brenda E. Dyer, Department Deputy Clearance Officer, Department of Justice. [FR Doc. 99-5215 Filed 3-2-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4410-AT-M