Pricing police services: theory and practice

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to present and test a particular theory of pricing of police services.

Design/methodology/approach

A theory of police pricing was developed, then tested using data collected from a mail survey of Chiefs of Police in Pennsylvania.

Findings

Pricing practices vary considerably among police departments. There appears to be no underlying theory in the practice of pricing of police services.

Research limitations/implications

Research was limited to one state in the USA and for a limited number of police services.

Practical implications

In setting prices, police departments ought to consider how the price charged is consistent or inconsistent with achieving their overall departmental goals.

Originality/value

No previous empirical studies on how police departments charge for their services have been found. This research may lead to a more complete understanding of policing operations.

Citation

Talaga, J. and Tucci, L.A. (2008), "Pricing police services: theory and practice", Policing: An International Journal, Vol. 31 No. 3, pp. 380-394. https://doi.org/10.1108/13639510810895768