How to Determine Field Staffing LevelsDetermining the optimum or desirable number of Animal Control Officers has remained an elusive goal for the profession. Several professional groups have tried to develop a model for justifying the desired level of officers. In some cases, this model appeals to budget officials and executives because of the apparent scientific approach to this issue. However, results have been mixed. In some cities, the model has done nothing more than measure the volume of work and provides a basis for deploying personnel. The service spectrum in each Animal Control department varies according to the management style and philosophy of the director, polices of government and community expectations. Where cities or agencies only count the calls for service within a community to determine optimum staffing, officer safety, citizen safety and major types of service delivery are not factored into overall staffing needs. In Animal Control work, enforcement responsibilities, population density and diversity, along with coverage area need also be a consideration for future planning. Staffing which is determined solely on the ability "to respond quickly to a call” does not address a basic Animal Control responsibility - protection of people and animals. Policies, community expectations, and in some instances, ordinances affect staffing needs. In cases where officers can give warnings or educate violators to prevent future occurrences, the officer has spared an animal the distress of impoundment or reduced the possibility of further violations. Attendance in court by officers also affects their availability to respond to calls for service. Although there is no universally accepted scientific methodology for determining the number of Animal Control Officers needed in a given jurisdiction, there are three models that are variously employed in Animal Control in determining an appropriate number of personnel.
Determining the number of officers requires an assessment of citizen calls, officer-initiated calls, citations, written warnings, assisting outside agencies, the need for safety and security, a flexible beat structure, time spent on investigations, preventive patrol time and the specific types of service that the public wants and expects. The basic elements of the "calls for service” model are as follows:
In most situations, NACA utilizes the "calls for service” model in determining an appropriate number of field personnel. |