Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Office of Community Oriented Policing Services

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;

Comment Request

ACTION: Notice of information collection under review: new collection;

bringing the crime victim into community policing.

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The Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing

Services (COPS) has submitted the following information collection

request (ICR) utilizing emergency review procedures, to the Office of

Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with

the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. OMB approval has been requested by

October 15, 1999. If granted, the emergency approval is only valid for

180 days. All comments and/or questions pertaining to this pending

request for emergency approval must be directed to OMB, Office of

Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Ms. Debra Bond, 202/395-

7316, Department of Justice Desk Officer, Washington, DC 20530. You may

also submit comments to Ms. Bond via facsimile at 202/395-6974.

During the first 60 days of this same period a regular review of

this information collection is also being undertaken. Comments are

encouraged and will be accepted until December 6, 1999. During the 60-

day regular review all comments and suggestions, or questions regarding

additional information, to include obtaining a copy of the proposed

information collection instrument with instructions, should be directed

to the COPS Office, Administration Division, COPS Office, U.S.

Department of Justice, 1100 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20530;

attn: Sarah Hosemann. Comments also may be submitted to the COPS Office

via facsimile to 202-514-2852; attn: Sarah Hosemann. Comments should

address one or more of the following four points:

(1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is

necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency,

including whether the information will have practical utility;

(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of

the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the

methodology and assumptions used;

(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to

be collected; and

(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those

who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated,

electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or

other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic

submission of responses.

Comments may also be submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ),

Justice Management Division, Information Management and Security Staff,

Attention: Department Deputy Clearance Officer, Suite 1220, 1331

Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20530.

Overview of this information collection:

(1) Type of Information Collection: New collection.

Title of the Form/Collection: Bringing the Victim Into Community

Policing: Surveys for Police Executives and Victims' Organizations.

(2) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the

Department of Justice sponsoring the collection: Form: COPS 33/01.

Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, U.S. Department of

Justice.

(3) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as

well as a brief abstract: Representatives from victims' organizations

and policing agencies will be asked to respond. The survey of Police

Executives will focus on police agencies that have a responsibility for

providing services to a residential population. The sample will be

selected from municipal and county police departments with ten or more

full-time officers. The sample derived from Victim's Organizations will

be selected from organizations located in the same communities as the

policing sample.

As a way to further its mandate to promote community policing, the

COPS Office is interested in learning about the relationships that have

developed between policing agencies and organizations that represent

the needs and interests of victims of crime. Community policing has

played an important role in sensitizing police agencies to the needs of

victims of crime. However, victims are not generally viewed as

potential resources or potential partners in crime control and order

maintenance. Similarly, victims' organizations have not looked to

police departments as partners in reducing victimization or

strengthening the role of the victim in the investigations of crime,

crime prevention, and community safety. More information is needed to

explore ways of improving victims' confidence in police; establishing

healthy partnerships between the police, victims, and victims'

organizations; as well as promoting public safety. The surveys for

victims' organizations and police executives will help establish a

baseline of current policies and practices regarding the development of

partnerships between these agencies.

(4) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount

of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: Surveys will be

administered by phone with 500 representatives from organizations for

victims of crime and 500 police executives for a total sample of 1,000

respondents. Phone administration and preparation will take

approximately one hour per survey.

(5) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated

with the collection: Approximately 1,000 hours.

If additional information is required contact: Mrs. Brenda E. Dyer,

Deputy Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice,

Information Management and Security Staff, Justice Management Division,

Suite 1220, National Place, 1331 Pennsylvania, NW, Washington, DC

20530.

Dated: October 1, 1999.

Brenda E. Dyer,

Department Deputy Clearance Officer, United States Department of

Justice.

[FR Doc. 99-26146 Filed 10-6-99; 8:45 am]

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