B. Statistical Methods
1. Universe and Respondent Selection
The Survey of Law Enforcement Gang will survey all law enforcement agencies having 100 or more officers and a specialized unit composed of full-time personnel who focus primarily on gang activity. It is estimated that there are approximately 450 gang units across the country to be included in the survey effort. The principal analyses of the data collected will be at the national, state, and jurisdictional levels.
The response rate expected is 95 percent or more.
2. Procedures for Collection Information
The Survey of Law Enforcement Gang Units is a nationwide census of all specialized gang units operating within law enforcement agencies with 100 or more officers. It is estimated that there are approximately 450 such gang units and there is good justification for surveying the full universe. These large agency gang units are frequently the first line of response to gang problems experienced across the country but they differ widely from jurisdiction to jurisdiction in terms of organization, workload, staffing, and prevention tactics. It would be beneficial to the law enforcement community if BJS was able to report data on the structure and practices of the complete range of gang units in large police agencies. Different data collection strategies may be necessary to effectively gather required information from the variety of agencies and units. The respondent contact list will be updated prior to data collection in order to maintain a current and complete list of gang units
The reference year for the questionnaire is calendar year 2006. Respondents will be asked to complete the survey, either manually or electronically and return it within 30 days.
3. Methods to Maximize Response
To maximize response rates BJS will employ the best practices for survey nonresponse follow-up. We will do everything possible to maximize response, including the use of letters, telephone interviews and fax.
4. Pre-test
A pre-test of the questionnaire will be conducted during five site-visits with law enforcement agency gang units. This pre-test will help BJS evaluate the effectiveness of the survey form and the ability of respondents to answer the questions. It will also help BJS modify certain aspects of the survey form to make it more efficient, which in turn will lessen the burden on respondents.
5. Contacts for Statistical Aspects and Data Collection
Lead agency: Bureau of Justice Statistics
U.S. Department of Justice
Matthew Hickman, Ph.D., Statistician
Law Enforcement, Adjudication and Federal Statistics Unit
Bureau of Justice Statistics
810 Seventh Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20531
(202) 514-8344
Lynn Langton, M.A., Statistician
Law Enforcement, Adjudication and Federal Statistics Unit
Bureau of Justice Statistics
810 Seventh Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20531
(202) 353-3328
Steven K. Smith, Ph.D., Chief
Law Enforcement, Adjudication and Federal Statistics Unit
Bureau of Justice Statistics
810 Seventh Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20531
(202) 616-3485
C. Attachments
1. OMB form 83-I Paperwork Reduction Act Submission
2. Certification Statement
3. Draft of Survey of Law Enforcement Gang Units questionnaire
4. Law or authority mandating the information collection
5. 60-day ICR notice that will be published in the Federal Register
6.. 30-day ICR notice that will be published in the Federal Register
| File Type | application/msword |
| Author | Scarbora |
| Last Modified By | Scarbora |
| File Modified | 2007-05-03 |
| File Created | 2007-05-03 |