Toward reorganization of government services: An analysis of the police role

The lack of consensus regarding the overall role of police in society creates numerous operational and management problems. This article examines the police role from theoretical and applied standpoints in an effort to determine consensus areas. It is postulated that role diffusion has created problems affecting police productivity. Finally, other peripheral government agencies are examined along these same lines and suggestions for the reorganization of public service agencies are proposed in an effort to increase overall government productivity.