Chapter 5. The Police: Role and Function

police chief

The top administrator of the police department who sets policy and has general control over departmental practices. The chief is typically a political rather than a civil service appointee and serves at the pleasure of the mayor.

time-in-rank system

For police officers to advance in rank, they must spend an appropriate amount of time, usually years, in the preceding rank; for example, to become a captain, an officer must first spend time as a lieutenant.

order maintenance (peacekeeping)

maintaining order and civility in their assigned jurisdiction.

proactive policing

The order-maintenance aspect of the police role involves peacekeeping, maintaining order and authority without the need for formal arrest, “handling the situation,” and keeping things under control by using threats, persuasion, and understanding.

deterrent effect

Stopping or reducing crime by convincing would-be criminals that they stand a significant risk of being apprehended and punished for their crimes.

directed patrol

A patrol strategy that involves concentrating police resources in areas where certain crimes are a significant problem.

broken windows model

A term used to describe the role of the police as maintainers of community order and safety.

CompStat

A program originated by the New York City police that used carefully collected and analyzed crime data to shape policy and evaluate police effectiveness.

sting operation

A program originated by the New York City police that used carefully collected and analyzed crime data to shape policy and evaluate police effectiveness.

vice squads

Police officers assigned to enforce morality-based laws, such as those on prostitution, gambling, and pornography.

forensic science

The use of scientific techniques to investigate questions of interest to the justice system and to solve crimes.

community-oriented policing (COP)

Programs and strategies designed to bring police and the public closer together and create a more cooperative working environment between them.

foot patrol

Police patrols that take officers out of cars and put them on a walking beat to strengthen ties with the community.

neighborhood-oriented policing (NOP)

Community-oriented policing efforts aimed at individual neighborhoods.

problem-oriented policing (POP)

A style of police operations that stresses proactive problem solving, rather than reactive crime fighting.

hot spots of crime

Places from which a significant portion of all police calls originate. These hot spots include taverns and housing projects.

intelligence-led policing (ILP)

The collection and analysis of information to generate an “intelligence end product” designed to inform police decision making at both the tactical and the strategic level.

National Criminal Intelligence Sharing Plan (NCISP)

A formal intelligence-sharing initiative that identifies the security and intelligence-sharing needs recognized in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

fusion centers

The collection and analysis of information to generate an “intelligence end product” designed to inform police decision making at both the tactical and the strategic level.

internal affairs

The branch of the police department that investigates charges of corruption or misconduct on the part of police officers.