In St. Mary’s County we have 219 people employed within the Sheriff’s Department. 35 are in the Administrative Department, 106 actually perform Police Services, and 78 are assigned to Corrections. Last year there were a little over 51,000 calls for assistance (data from the communications center, so it probably includes calls that the State handled too, but it averaged about 141 per day). Data shows that the average time awaiting to be dispatched after the call came in was 5:42 (minutes:seconds), average time to get to the scene after being dispatched was 8:28, and total time until clear was 27:29.
Based on the number of deputies assigned to Police Services I can’t see more then 40 to 45 officers on duty at any given time, unless they are racking up a ton of overtime. This leaves us with roughly one officer for every 2,000 citizens, about par for the national average. What needs to be remembered is that these officers rarely stop crime (except traffic violations), they respond to it, as that is the nature of their business.
What good will adding more officers do in reducing the response time, which could be a lifetime, if you are in need or in reducing crime? I think it would be wiser and more effective to give law-abiding citizens the right to conceal and carry. Instead of hiring new officers take those funds and create firearm safety courses and self-defense courses. And do something about reducing the time getting the officer to the scene. I think it's time to let the people help themselves while they wait for the assistance to arrive.
:
But that is something that the State police should take care of. They are highway patrol.
Gawd, now I'm getting an ugly girl complex. 