Section I Management, Supervision and Leadership: An Overview Chapter 2 The Organization and Structure of American Policing

The Traditional Law Enforcement Organization Sir Robert Peele – “Father of Modern Policing” Police must be stable, efficient and organized militarily. Police must be under governmental control. The test of police effectiveness is the absence of crime and disorder. Max Weber – German sociologist and economist Bureaucracy is the most important feature of modern society. Eliminating wasted time enhances productivity.

A pyramid-shaped hierarchy. Pyramid of Authority – the shape of the typical LE hierarchy. Hierarchy – a group of people organized by rank or authority.

The Formal Organization Essential elements: A clear statement of mission, goals, objectives and values A division of labor among specialists A rational organization or design A hierarchy of authority and responsibility

Typical Divisions in Law Enforcement Agencies Field Services Use line personnel – those that carry out most of the tasks in the work plan. Directly help accomplish departmental goals Administrative Services Use staff personnel – those who support line personnel Support the line organization

Chain of Command Establishes definite lines of authority and channels of communication Chain of command - the order of authority Channels of communication - official paths through which orders flow from management to personnel who carry out the orders Unity of command - every individual has only one supervisor Span of control - the number of people supervised by one manager

The Informal Organization In any organization, some people will emerge as leaders, regardless of there are in leadership positions. Operates without official sanctions Influences the agency’s performance May help or harm the agency’s goals May support the organization or cause dissention Managers need to recognize and acknowledge that it exists within any law enforcement agency

The Emerging Law Enforcement Organization Flattened organization Fewer lieutenants and captains Fewer staff departments and assistants More sergeants and patrol officers Decentralized Puts decision making at the level of the patrol officer Employees are empowered. 10

Change Revisited “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” Bifurcated Society Have’s v. Have not's The gap is widening Shrinking middle class These changes may require a paradigm shift Paradigm – a model, theory or frame of reference. The way we look at something.

Post–9/11 Policing Transactional change Transformational change Intervenes in structure, management practices and motivations Unlikely to affect the organization’s mission and culture i.e., creating a drug task force to deal with drug trafficking Transformational change Intervenes in an organization’s mission, culture and leadership style Very difficult to implement

Organizational Approaches in Contemporary Policing Community policing Problem-solving policing CompStat policing Intelligence-led policing Evidence-based policing

Community Policing Defined A collaborative effort between the police and the community Involves the community in the search for solutions to crime Creates mutually beneficial ties between police and the community Proactively addresses public safety issues Promotes organizational strategies Two basic themes across all definitions: Police–community partnerships Proactive, problem-solving approach to the police function

Problem-Solving Policing Focus on determining the underlying causes of crime, fear of crime and disorder and identifying solutions Identify, analyze and respond to underlying circumstances that create incidents Emphasis on strategy distinguishes POP from COP Requires police to group incidents as a way to identify causes of problems in the community Reliance on the expertise and creativity of line officers Closer involvement with the public

CompStat Policing (Computer Comparison Statistics) A method of management accountability and a philosophy of crime control Four principles of CompStat: Accurate and timely intelligence: know what is happening. Effective tactics: have a plan. Rapid deployment: do it quickly. Relentless follow-up and assessment: if it works do more, if not, do something else. You can’t manage what they don’t measure. Helps draw sharp attention to problem areas Puts facts in place of impressions

Intelligence-Led Policing Methodical approach to preventing, detecting and disrupting crime, including terrorist activities; uses early detection of crime trends to allow police to be proactive Fusion centers collect, integrate, evaluate, analyze and disseminate information.

Evidence-Based Policing Uses empirically derived evidence related to costs, risks and benefits Monitoring and evaluating program outcomes Analyzing whether it makes a difference Making adjustments to improve outcomes Includes training, innovation, efficiency, fiscal responsibility and ongoing communication Partnering with colleges or universities Reporting failure

The Impact of Contemporary Policing Approaches on the New Supervisor or Manager Supervisors and subordinates share power. Supervisors must accept constructive criticism and failure. Supervisors must serve as mentor, motivator, and facilitator.  Supervisors need solid set of technological, analytical and time management skills. First-line supervisors must be more engaged in day-to-day officer performance.

Classroom Discussion Questions 1. Is there a difference between the terms pyramidal structure and hierarchy? 2. What is the difference between unity of command and chain of command? 3. What forces are driving change in your community?(hint: bifurcated society) 4. What does an organizational chart indicate?