Interagency collaboration: An administrative and operational assessment of the Metro‐LEC approach

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine an interagency collaboration (The Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council – Metro‐LEC), consisting of 42 law enforcement agencies that provide mutual aid and assistance to member agencies in times of need.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, four sources of data (personnel interviews, written survey, organizational documents and participant observation) were used as part of a case study method, to assess the administrative and operational functioning of the Metro‐LEC.

Findings

In sum, the findings conclude that the organization is meeting the needs of the member agencies, with few unmanageable impediments.

Research limitations/implications

Since the current study relies on a case study from a single collaborative agency, the findings come with caution, in terms of generalizability.

Originality/value

This psprt contributes to the literature on police interagency collaboration and is the first known study on a Law Enforcement Council (LEC).

Citation

Schnobrich‐Davis, J. and Terrill, W. (2010), "Interagency collaboration: An administrative and operational assessment of the Metro‐LEC approach", Policing: An International Journal, Vol. 33 No. 3, pp. 506-530. https://doi.org/10.1108/13639511011066881