Preparing a Budget Request - Assignment Example

However, the rising population could make it hard for the police to carry out their duties as effectively as they should. There have been reports that the crime rate in the downtown area has gone up. I wish to request three to five additional police officers for the city. This will ensure that crime rate is at a minimal level and the officers are not overworked (Mikesell, 2010). Currently the town’s police department has 30 uniformed officers and 12 support staff. This translates to a ratio of 1 police officer for every 2,500 residents.

Studies have shown that places with higher populations are likely to harbor more crime than less populated areas. In this town, the population is increasing at a steady rate, which means that the likelihood of increased crime is a reality that needs to be dealt with as early and as fast as possible (Reif-Lehrer, 2005). The town residents are well aware that the police department is currently understaffed. Individuals who are out to cause trouble also know this. The downtown area is most vulnerable to crime due to the businesses situated in the area.

Most of the economy of this town depend son the retail trade that is solely centered on the downtown area. If crime rate around this downtown area goes unchecked, the businesses will suffer, and so will the economy of the town. The other areas are relatively secure and regular police patrols do ensure that law and order are maintained at all times. An additional three or more police officers would ensure that business in the downtown area continues without people fearing that they might loose business due to crime.

Currently the officers are overwhelmed with work, and this situation is not likely to become any better due to the increasing population. The town does need more officers on patrol, especially at night. Due to the shortage the police department is facing at the moment, most officers are forced to work over time past their designated shifts. The department has not had any extra officers for the last six years, despite the fact that the work load has been increasing during the same duration. Most of these officers are family men and women while others have other commitments.

We have tried to reassign some of the duties performed by uniformed officers to other employees, but this strategy has failed to make the work of the officers any less. It would therefore be futile to continue in this line of action since it will not bear fruit (Reif-Lehrer, 2005). As chief of police, I was aware of the growing need for additional officers. I had tried to request for more officers last year, but my request was not granted. The manager has already been briefed of this growing workload situation.

With three to five more police officer, the work load in the department will go down. Work will be distributed equitably among all the officers so that no one will have to spend more time at work than other officers. Failure to fund this request may have multiple negative effects on the department and the town’s residents. The officers available for duty will continue to suffer under too much pressure due to too much work. If the extra officers do not come within the year, we will have to disregard some duties and concentrate on the most pressing of the town’s security needs.

This will bring on another problem: that of inefficiency (Kemp and Dunbar, 2003). The department will need to perform exemplarily in all its responsibilities for the greater good of the community. This is an urgent