Chapter 4 Police Functions and Units

Introduction Order maintenance v. law enforcement Organizational structure and its effect on linkage blindness Administrative services Special units and divisions

Goals of Policing Prevent crime and protect life Uphold and enforce the law Combat public fear of crime Promote community safety Control traffic Encourage respect for the law Protect civil rights and liberties

Order Maintenance Versus Law Enforcement Political Era—Order maintenance Professionalization—Uphold and enforce laws Fear of crime and actual crime rate differ Contending with conflicting goals & demands Enforcement embedded in political and social forces

Translating Goals into Mission Statements and Policies Goals stated in writing Part of Mission Statement In form of specific policies List of values Policy Specific statement of guiding principles Written directive or interim order

Organizational Structure and Accountability Organizational charts Small departments police generalists Larger departments greater specialization

Hierarchical Structures Centralized Policing Chains of command Rigid hierarchy—Quasi-military Command and administration Middle management Line personnel

Quasi-Military Model of Policing Key Features Centralized command structure Clearly defined hierarchical authority Rigid adherence to rank Use of military terminology Division of labor by function and specialization Selection and promotion according to merit and competence Strictly enforced rules

Hierarchical Structures Centralized Policing (con’t.) “Blue Wall of Silence” Linkage blindness Vertical differentiation Tall organizations Span of control

Flat Organizations Decentralized Policing Elimination of middle ranks Decentralized command Horizontal differentiation hampers information sharing Structure changes Functional structures Matrix structures

Divisions and Units Divisions Units Personnel who share policing function Divisions commanded by high-ranking officer Units Smaller groups within divisions Each deals with specific aspect of divisional tasks

Administrative Services Operational Units Direct assistance to public Staffed by sworn police officers Administrative Units Personnel Records Research and planning Public information

Administrative Services (con’t.) Internal Affairs Special Units and Divisions Covert or undercover operations Sting operations Reverse sting operations Decoy operations Blending operations

Administrative Services (con’t.) Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) Responsible for: Apprehension of barricaded suspects Resolution of hostage situations Warrant service Arrest or incapacitation of dangerous suspects Security for visiting dignitaries Origins Trends and controversies

Administrative Services (con’t.) Juvenile Units School liaison officers D.A.R.E. Canine (K9) Units Tracking Searches Drug identification Officer backup

Reflections On Chapter Four 1. Explain how goals, policies, and procedures differ. How are the decisions of individual police officers guided by policies and procedures? 2. What is the purpose of a mission statement? How do mission statements help to shape the working culture of a police department? 3. What is the basic division of police functions? What is the difference between a police division and a police unit? 4. What is the difference between an operational unit and an administrative unit? Identify and describe the basic functions of two operational units and two administrative units. 5. What are the four basic outcomes of a police complaint? What is the difference between an unfounded complaint and an unsubstantiated complaint? 6. What is the basic function of the S.W.A.T. unit? Do you think that such units should only be reactive?