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RETHINKING POLICE ORGANIZATIONS

NCJ Number
56165
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1979) Pages: 12-17
Author(s)
J LIVINGSTON; R D SYLVIA
Date Published
1979
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A RETHINKING OF POLICE DEPARTMENT STRUCTURES ALONG FUNCTIONAL LINES IS PROPOSED, AND AN ORGANIZATIONAL MODEL IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
THE PROPOSED ORGANIZATION WOULD UPDATE POLICE STRUCTURES TO FACILITATE THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE PRINCIPAL POLICE FUNCTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE MAIN FEATURE OF THE PLAN IS AN EMPHASIS UPON LAW ENFORCEMENT GENERALISTS SUPPORTED BY STAFF SPECIALISTS. THE SYSTEM WOULD MAXIMIZE THE POTENTIAL FOR ATTRACTING, TRAINING, AND RETAINING THE BEST POSSIBLE CANDIDATES FOR CAREERS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE PROPOSED LINE-STAFF ARRANGEMENT WOULD ALSO ENSURE MAXIMUM VERTICAL AND LATERAL COMMUNICATION, THUS FACILITATING PROPER ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES AND GUARDING AGAINST INFORMATION LOSS. THE STRUCTURE PROVIDES FOR FLEXIBILITY IN DEPARTMENTAL RESPONSES TO LONG- AND SHORT-RANGE CHANGES IN THE LEVELS AND TYPES OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY. THIS FLEXIBILITY ALSO ALLOWS FOR THE APPLICATION OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND SYSTEMS DESIGN TO NEW PROGRAMS, SUCH AS CAREER CRIMINAL SYSTEMS. THE SYSTEM WOULD BE COST-EFFECTIVE BECAUSE POLICE OFFICERS WOULD CONCENTRATE ON LAW ENFORCEMENT WHILE OTHER DEPARTMENTAL OPERATIONS COULD BE PERFORMED BY AUXILIARY PERSONNEL. ANY ATTEMPTS TO RESTRUCTURE A POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL INEVITABLY EXPERIENCE A NUMBER OF OBSTACLES BOTH FROM WITHIN AND WITHOUT THE AGENCY. COSTS MUST BE JUSTIFIED TO CITY COUNCILS AND CITY EXECUTIVES, AND CHANGES IN RANK STRUCTURE AND A SHIFT TO PAY SCALES BASED UPON ACQUIRED SKILLS MUST BE JUSTIFIED TO THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION. INNOVATION MUST ALSO BE EXPLAINED TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. OTHER CONSTRAINTS EXIST WITHIN THE EXISTING ORGANIZATION. RANK AND FILE POLICE PERSONNEL, WHETHER UNION OR NOT, HAVE INVESTED BOTH TIME AND EFFORT TOWARDS ADVANCEMENT WITHIN THE CURRENT SYSTEM. CHANGING STRUCTURES IS EQUIVALENT TO REORDERING CAREER GOALS AND STANDARDS FOR PERFORMANCE. MUCH EDUCATION AND RETRAINING, ALONG WITH PARTICIPATORY MANAGEMENT, WILL BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO GAIN RANK AND FILE COOPERATION IN ANY CHANGE. THE ONE INDISPENSABLE INGREDIENT TO PLANNED CHANGE, HOWEVER, IS ASSERTIVE COMMITTMENT BY THE POLICE CHIEF. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--RCB)