Inspectional Services Division Records

Series

Identifier: 6406-01

Scope and Contents Note

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These records, also known as the ISD Job File, are an especially important research tool because the mission of the Inspectional Services Division was to aid the Chief of Police and his staff in improving the management and operation of the Police Department. The goal, relatively unchanged over the 20-year span of the Division, was achieved through planning, research, and evaluation designed to provide useful systems, methods, procedures, and policies which were employed to control and improve the quality of performance throughout the Department. Staff and spot inspection were conducted to audit and review the operational and administrative functions of the Department and to ensure compliance with Department directives and policies. The Division also was responsible for planning, coordinating and administering the Department's budget process.

The planning and research functions included development and utilization of the Patrol Car Allocation Model (PCAM) to recommend patrol deployment and budgeting processes through computer modeling. Activities also included development and evaluation of grant projects, computer systems for dispatching and geographic information systems, long range planning, and evaluation of Environmental Impact Statements to indicate impact on Department resource needs.

The records contain the core of the work done by the unit for the Chief of Police over a 20-year period. Major products of ISD work include annual reports, grants, inspections, and manuals of rules and regulations.

These records are held by the Police Department. Contact the department's Public Disclosure Unit for access.

Dates

Creation: 1974-1994

Creator

Seattle (Wash.). Police Dept. (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

These records are held by the Police Department. Contact the department's Public Disclosure Unit for access.

Historical Note

The City’s first charter established the Marshall as the local peace officer. An 1883 Charter amendment established the position of Chief of Police with authority to hire police officers. The Chief of Police was an elected position until 1890. The City Charter of 1890 created the Board of Police Commissioners which administered the Department and appointed officers. Following allegations of corruption, the Commission was abolished by the new Charter of 1896. The Chief of Police, appointed by the mayor, served as administrator of the Department. In 1962, the Department assumed authority for policing the harborfront, formerly a function of the Harbor Department.

Unit History

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The Planning and Research activity of the Seattle Police Department is believed to have originated in 1961 when Chief F.C. Ramon assigned a police supervisor to the City's Century 21 Worlds Fair on a full-time basis. It was stated that the presence of this officer (located in the Staff Division) gave the Police Department considerable insight into the projected activities of the Fair and enabled police planning to be incorporated into such things as physical structure, security procedures, personnel handling, and other matters of vital concern.

In 1962 the unit was renamed Planning and Inspection but reverted to Planning and Research in 1963 which held through 1968 when it was again renamed the Planning and Research Bureau, reporting directly to the Deputy Chief of the Staff Division, C.A . Rouse. In 1969, an Inspectional Services Bureau was formed under Assistant Chief A.C. Gustin with an lnspections Division under Captain Larry Mccready. During this period of time the International Association of Chiefs of Police conducted a detailed analysis and review of the Department's operations. This report suggested a number of reorganizational moves that were implemented over the next few years.

In 1970, the Administrative Services Bureau under Assistant Chief Eugene M. Corr, contained an Inspections Division and a Research and Development Division. In September of 1970, a Management and Analysis Team was appointed, headed by Calvin C. Clauson. The Research and Development Division continued in 1971 through 1972 under Captain C. R. Connery.

In 1973, Research and Development was renamed the Research and Inspections Division, now under Major C.R. Connery, reporting directly to the Chief of Police. In 1974, the Division was renamed the lnspectional Services Division (ISD), where it continued substantially intact, reporting to the Chief of Police for the next 20 years.

A detailed study of the Inspections and Planning functions between the years 1968 and 1976 was undertaken by Randy Tibbs in 1976. Notes were accumulated but no formal report was located (ISD Job No. 77-146).

The Commanders of the Inspectional Services Division were:

Ray Connery: Nov. 1973 - Dec. 1 ~75 Don Kelsey: Jan. 1976 - Sep. 1977 Larry Mccready: Oct. 1977 - May 1978 Ray Connery: Jun. 1978 - May 1979 Dave Grayson: May 1979 - Mar. 1981 Dale Douglas: Apr. 1981 - Jan. 1982 Herb Johnson: Jan. 1982 - Jan. 1986 Mike Brasfield: Jan. 1986 - July 1990 Jim Deschane: July 1990-Apr. 1992 John Pirak: Apr. 1992 - Mar. 1995

In 1994 the ISD was completely restructured. Revised activities began in 1995 with: 1. Research and Grants reporting to the Community Policing Bureau. 2. The PCAM project reporting to the Special Deployment Section of the Operations Bureau. 3. The Finance and Planning functions (including review, coordination, and response to Environmental Impact Statements) reporting to the Support Bureau. 4. The Inspections and Operational Procedures functions reporting to the Training, Procedures and Audit Section of the Professional Responsibilities Bureau.