Police Operations Chapter 1

Hiring Process You need to decide – What size department Small, medium, large – Will it be a job or a career Retirement options – What are my career goals Specialty job – Detective, K-9 handler, Accident Reconstruction…. Promotion

Hiring Process Am I a viable candidate? – Background Criminal activity – detected and undetected Drug use – Employment history I’ve always wanted to be a cop… – Credit history – Driving History – Physical condition – Job suitability assessment/personality inventory

Getting Hired Agency application ALERT Test – Writing Clarity, vocabulary & spelling – Reading Comprehension – Reasoning – Practice Tests (from MCJA website) – est.pdf

Getting Hired Written exam (maybe) – General knowledge – Observation – Pattern recognition – Integrity Component

Getting Hired Physical Agility Exam – Based on Cooper Institute standards – Age and gender based – 1.5 mile run – Sit-ups (timed) – Push-ups (timed) – Pass/ Fail – Done again two weeks before entering police academy

Getting Hired Interview Rolling resume – tell us about yourself What have you done to prepare Community involvement Any bad behavior Strengths/weaknesses Scenarios Low stress but you’re on the hot seat

Getting hired Background packet – Be honest Background investigation – Follow up on what you put in the packet – References – make sure they know Pre-employment polygraph – Meeting God

Getting Hired Conditional Job Offer – Contingent upon you passing the medical & psych Medical Examination – Comprehensive exam Psychological Examination – Written and interview – Personality inventory

You’re Hired! Maine Criminal Justice Academy – 18 weeks in beautiful downtown Vassalboro Monday through Friday Classroom, scenarios, range weeks Weekly tests

Your Department Field Training Program San Jose Model Used in Portland & other departments 14 week program Daily evaluations Progress in two week increments

Mission Statement Declaration of purpose for the organization and it’s members A road map for the organization Gives direction and sets priorities PPD Mission Statement – The mission of the Portland Police Department is to maintain a safe city by working in partnership with the community to prevent and reduce crime, protect life and property, help resolve neighborhood problems and protect the rights of all.

Police Power U.S. Constitution State Constitution Statutes – state and federal Case law

Three General Eras of Policing Political – 1840 thru 1930 Reform – Community – 1980 – to present

Professionalism of Police Wickersham Commission Report 11 – Lawlessness in L.E. – Police brutality, questioning tactics, threats, illegal detention, no access to an attorney Report 14 – The Police – Police administration – leadership, centralized administrative control, higher personnel standards – Overall professionalization of the police – And all this leads to…

Professionalism of Police 1960’s Case Law – Miranda v. Arizona – Terry v. Ohio 1970’s Education and formal academy – Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA) – Formal education through CJ programs Technology – Video – Improved investigations

Police Organizations Paramilitary structure Chain of Command – rank structure Organizational Chart - responsibilities Patrol Division (Field Operations) Detective Division Specialty Positions

Basic Patrol Objectives (p. 5-6) Prevent Crime – Proactive patrol – How is this measured? Community Involvement – Quality of life issues Prevent Delinquency – Youth programs – Diversion from the formal system Repression of Crime – Police presence at “hot spots”

Basic Patrol Objectives (p.5-6) Arresting & Assuring Conviction of Offenders – Your job is not to convict Reducing Traffic Collisions – Enforcement & presence at high accident locations Assuring Public Peace – Gatherings, demonstrations, neighborhoods Problem Solving & Crisis Planning – Weather emergencies, sports championships, neighborhood issues

Patrol Services Routine patrol Preventive presence Community/benevolent services Business/property security Inspection services Public interaction Calls for service Animal control

Patrol Services Traffic direction/control Preliminary investigation Information services Develop contacts Make arrests Collect/preserve evidence Testify in court Prepare reports

Distribution of Patrol Resources Jurisdiction Telephone/internet reporting Reportable traffic accidents What generates a report? Population density Calls for service Size of geographic area

Distribution of Patrol Resources Nature of area (Old Port) Beat boundaries Open beats – who is responsible Rotating assignments Proactive v. Reactive

Discretion Professional judgment Department outlook… Personal outlook – knowledge, training, experience, circumstances Advice from other officers Voluntary compliance is the ultimate goal

Officer Liability Civil – Compensatory damages – generally covered by your employer or insurance company – Punitive damages – the individual is responsible – Attorney costs are paid by employer Criminal – Officer is responsible for attorney costs

Officer Liability Civil Rights Lawsuit – Protection of citizens against abuses of government – including police misconduct – Willful police conduct that violates an individual's constitutional rights – False arrest, malicious prosecution, excessive force, failure to intervene – An individual bringing a police misconduct claim must prove the actions of the police exceeded reasonable bounds, infringed the victim's constitutional rights, and produced some injury or damages to the victim

Public Perception Usually based on limited information All police are painted with a broad brush Difficult to change the perception Perception becomes reality… What factors impact your perception of the police?

Public Expectations People want to be able to explain their situation to the police They want the police to be unbiased, neutral and fair They want to be treated with dignity and respect and have their rights acknowledged They want the police to consider their needs and be concerned about their well-being After all…I pay your salary