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Police Operations and Data Analysis Report, Morgan Hill, California
14
TABLE 3-1: Calls for Service
Category
Police-initiated
Other-initiated
Calls
Units
per Call
Minutes
Calls
Units per
Call
Minutes
Accidents
31
1.8
31.7
458
2.3
46.7
Alarm
10
2.0
25.8
1,154
1.7
13.9
Animal calls
13
1.2
16.5
715
1.2
29.3
Assist
40
1.3
25.4
219
2.0
36.5
Check/investigation
602
1.3
31.6
1,653
1.7
32.4
Crime–persons
19
2.1
34.4
983
2.1
47.9
Crime–property
20
1.5
37.5
758
1.5
38.1
Disturbance
13
2.5
56.0
1,374
2.1
25.6
Juvenile
0
N/A
N/A
38
1.8
34.7
Medical
4
1.5
66.7
315
2.0
34.9
Miscellaneous
529
1.2
31.6
1,131
1.3
32.3
Prisoner–arrest
160
2.2
29.8
353
2.3
55.6
Suspicious person/vehicle
948
1.4
13.8
1,564
1.8
22.4
Traffic enforcement
7,027
1.4
17.5
528
1.4
23.1
Total
9,416
1.4
19.3
11,243
1.8
30.8
In general, CFS volume in Morgan Hill is within acceptable bounds. To evaluate the workload
demands placed on the department, it is useful to examine the number of CFS received from the
public in relation to the population size. With a population estimated to be approximately 41,000,
the total of 20,659 CFS translates to about 503 CFS per 1,000 residents. While there is no accepted
standard ratio between calls for service and population, CPSM studies of other communities show a
CFS-to-population ratio ranging between 400 and 1,000 CFS per 1,000 persons per year. Lower
ratios typically suggest a well-managed approach to CFS. The value of 503 CFS/per thousand/year
would suggest an appropriate policy is in place for triaging nonemergency calls. A well-managed
dispatch system includes a system where CFS are screened and nuisance calls eliminated before
they are dispatched.
At the same time, while the MHPD has a well-managed system for triaging CFS, it also appears that
the department could be even more aggressive at triaging CFS. Certain types of calls do not
necessarily require the response of a sworn police officer. Responding to false alarms, and to motor
vehicle accidents involving only property damage where the police role is largely administrative
and involves preparing and filing reports, still requires considerable patrol resources in Morgan
Hill. The bottom line here is that a substantial number of CFS dispatches to officers could be
eliminated. This would free officers’ time to address other conditions present in the community as
opposed to spending time at CFS at which their services are not essential. It must be noted
however, that such responses are expected in smaller communities, and any change in service
levels must be carefully implemented.