© 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning Part IV Control Processes in Police Management Chapter 12 Control and Productivity in the Police Setting

© 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning Learning Objectives 1.Understand the roles of control. 2.List the levels of control. 3.Understand the various types of control. 4.Explain the control process. 5.Understand performance evaluation and methods of corrective action. 6.Understand the definition of productivity. 7.Measure productivity. 8.Discuss how to improve productivity.

© 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning Control The efficient accomplishment of goals and objectives depends on effective control. Control is the process of regulating organizational activities so that performance conforms to expectations. Maintaining a balance between undercontrol and overcontrol is a challenge. Police organizations are thought to employ excessive control because of their quasi-military nature. It is critical to decide how much control to have in the department.

© 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning Management by Exception The technique of reserving top executive attention for those few instances involving significant deviations from anticipated performance Police administrators must ensure the establishment of policies, procedures, and rules that allow and facilitate exceptional issues to surface for executive attention.

© 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning The Roles of Control Coping with uncertainty Detecting irregularities Identifying opportunities Handling complex situations Decentralizing authority

© 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning Levels of Control Strategic Control –Ensuring strategic plans are implemented as intended –Assessing the effects of strategic actions and adjusting the plan when necessary Tactical Control –Assessing the implementation of tactical plans at departmental levels –Monitoring associated periodic results and taking corrective action as necessary Operational Control –Individual officers are responsible for carrying out the programs and policies decided on from above

© 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning Types of Control Output control –Choosing a performance standard Behavior control 1.Direct supervision 2.Management by objectives 3.Rules and standard operating procedures Clan or employee group control –Unwritten and informal –Derives from training and socialization processes

© 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning The Control Process Determining areas to be controlled Establishing of standards and expectations –Policies –Procedures –General orders or rules and regulations Measuring performance –Line supervision techniques –Staff inspections –Audits and research Taking corrective action –Circle the problem, consult people and records with information about the problem –Write a clear statement of the problem –Analyze the problem, seeking out multiple solutions

© 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning Productivity Defined Productivity can be defined as the targeted level of activity. Increasing productivity means a greater return for a given investment. Productivity is the relationship between resources used and resources obtained. The level of police department productivity can be expressed by the ratio of outputs produced to the resources expended.

© 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning Increasing Police Productivity Improve current practices to the best level known, to obtain better performance without a proportionate increase in cost Allocate resources to the activities that give the highest return for each dollar spent Increase the probability that a given goal will be met Make the most of the police personnel’s talent

© 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning Uses for Productivity Measures Indicate the existence of particular problems Indicate progress or lack of progress Help identify areas in need of attention Establish performance incentives Provide accountability

© 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning Traditional Measures of Police Productivity Time spent at work Arrest rates/citations issued Percentage of arrests that lead to convictions Citizen complaints against officers

© 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning Contemporary Measures of Police Productivity Totally eliminate the problem Reduce the number of incidents (e.g., crime and disorder) that occur as a result of the problem Reduce the seriousness of the incidents Implement police procedures that handle incidents more effectively “Co-actively” deal with the problem by enlisting the assistance of an agency better suited to deal with it

© 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning Improving Police Productivity Four criteria used to identify where productivity can be improved: –Operations that involve large numbers of employees who perform routine and repetitive tasks –Functions that require a large number of hours –Functions that normally result in work backlogs –High unit costs

© 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning Strategies for Improving Productivity Productivity bargaining Capital investment Management audit Sound application of management principles