Actual Notes Chapter 6

The Police Organization

Structure

• Police departments are structured hierarchically, featuring a well-defined command system.

• While the size of the organization can vary widely, the structure typically culminates with a Police Chief as the highest-ranking official, drawing parallels to organizational hierarchies found in the U.S. military.

The PROS of Time in Rank Promotion

Advantages

• Proponents argue that time-in-rank promotions promote organizational stability and fairness across the ranks within police departments.

• They also serve as a safeguard against losing skilled administrators to other departments, helping retain experienced leadership.

The CONS of Time in Rank Promotion

Disadvantages

• Time-in-rank promotion systems can constrain administrative flexibility, leading to slower advancement opportunities within the department.

• There are concerns that such systems may foster a conservative approach to policing as higher-ranked officers may become resistant to change.

The Patrol Function

Role of Patrol in Policing

• The patrol function is widely regarded as the "backbone" of American policing, offering not only a deterrent effect against crime but also fostering public order and community safety.

• Patrol officers play a critical role in maintaining societal order and managing traffic-related issues within the community.

Improving Uniformed Patrol (1 of 3)

Proactive Policing Approach

• A proactive policing approach advocates for aggressive tactics as positively correlated with reduced crime rates.

• Studies indicate no clear relationship between improved response times and effectiveness, but greater visibility of patrols might lead to deterrent effects through perceived likelihood of arrest.

Improving Uniformed Patrol (2 of 3)

Broken Windows Policing

• roken windows theory posits that visible disorder in a community signals vulnerability, making those areas more susceptible to crime.

• The theory underscores the importance of citizen cooperation in strategies aimed at preventing crime before it occurs.

Improving Uniformed Patrol (3 of 3)

Use of Technology in Patrol

• Advanced tools like Compstat are employed for analyzing geographic crime data effectively, enhancing the deployment of law enforcement resources based on crime trends.

• The innovative use of real-time updates, including technologies such as drones, reflects a modern approach to enhancing patrol effectiveness.

How Do Detectives Detect?

Detective Work

• Effective detective work hinges on an understanding of crime causation as a means to effectively identify suspects.

• An optimal blend of investigative science and practical experience defines the approach many detectives take in their work.

Who are They?

Profile of Detectives

• Detectives are typically seasoned civil servants who have undergone specialized training in investigative techniques and procedures.

• They are organized into units based on specific types of crimes and geographic areas, allowing for a focused approach to crime-solving.

Sting Operations

Purpose and Structure of Sting Operations

• Sting operations are undercover initiatives undertaken by police to apprehend law violators in real-time.

• Vice squads specifically target morality crimes, including those related to prostitution, illegal gambling, and drug offenses.

• Legal concerns surrounding potential entrapment cases must be navigated carefully in the execution of such operations.

Evaluating Investigations

Investigator Efficiency Concerns

• There are growing concerns related to the effectiveness and efficiency of detectives when it comes to case resolution.

• Many cases tend to resolve when suspects are identified on site by patrol officers, raising questions about the true necessity of detective involvement in many instances.

• Detectives may face limitations regarding resources for extensive investigations; nonetheless, their role in the overall investigative process remains significant.

Technology and Case Progress

Technology in Policing

• The integration of advanced information technologies and databases plays a significant role in criminal identification, including the use of DNA evidence and comprehensive record storage systems.

Investigation Results

• Alarmingly, less than 10% of criminal cases receive more than one day of dedicated investigator attention, leading to an average maximum investigative effort of merely four hours over three days.

• The problems of identity confusion among cases contribute to a perilously low clearance rate, with fewer than 10% of cases being resolved satisfactorily.

Purpose of Community-Oriented Policing

Strengthening Police-Community Cooperation

• The primary objective of community-oriented policing is to nurture cooperation between the police force and community, ensuring that both work collaboratively to create safer environments.

Foot Patrol

Community Bonds Through Foot Patrol

• Foot patrol remains a recommended strategy to cultivate relationships with community members and to mitigate fear of crime.

• Departments are exploring alternative patrol methods, such as using bicycles and Segways, to improve community interaction and presence.

• The effectiveness of police vehicle drive-bys in fostering community relations is under ongoing scrutiny.

Changing the Police Role

Decentralization in Policing

• A growing emphasis is being placed on neighborhood-oriented patrol strategies and management approaches, advocating for decisions to be influenced more by community needs rather than hierarchical directives.

• This shift requires transformations in recruitment and training processes to equip officers with better problem-solving capabilities tailored to community dynamics.

Challenges of COP

Defining Challenges

• Several obstacles to effective community-oriented policing persist, such as:

  • Unclear definitions surrounding what constitutes a community.

  • Ambiguity regarding the roles of police within that community framework.

  • Shifts required in supervisory attitudes to support these initiatives.

  • Necessity for fundamental alterations in police values, training, and recruitment processes to align with community-oriented goals.

Effectiveness of COP

Community-Oriented Policing Potential

• Community-Oriented Policing has the potential to alleviate community fears and enhance police-citizen relations, although definitive evidence supporting its effectiveness in reducing crime rates remains inconclusive, mirroring the limited impact seen with programs such as DARE for drug prevention.

Purpose of Problem-Oriented Policing

Relation to Community-Oriented Policing

• The emphasis in problem-oriented policing is on tackling specific issues rather than simply addressing geographical locations; it advocates for long-term solutions as opposed to immediate, reactive responses that lack sustainability.

• It aims to foster greater officer engagement in community interactions during calls for service, which can improve trust and collaboration with the public.

What is Problem-Oriented Policing?

Focus on Specific Problems

• Problem-oriented policing involves the strategic use of specialized units to address particular crime issues. Research indicates many urban crime patterns concentrate in distinct "hot spots."

• However, controversies exist over the effectiveness of focusing on these hot spots and the potential for crime displacement into adjacent areas.

Introduction of Intelligence-Led Policing

Post-9/11 Philosophical Shift

• The events of September 11, 2001, catalyzed the emergence of Intelligence-Led Policing, closely tied to national Homeland Security efforts and framed within the context of Community-Oriented and Problem-Oriented Policing.

• Individual community engagement is encouraged through initiatives such as "see something, say something," fostering a proactive public role in crime prevention.

What ILP Does

Information Sharing and Collaboration

• ILP emphasizes the importance of collaboration and strategic solutions by integrating various intelligence sources. It addresses historical limitations in information sharing within U.S. police forces.

Comparison with Other Policing Strategies

ILP vs. POP and COP

• Intelligence-Led Policing (ILP) vs. Problem-Oriented Policing (POP) and Community-Oriented Policing (COP):

  • ILP operates from a top-down managerial framework and requires comprehensive analysis of criminal environments.

  • In contrast, POP relies on problem identification by officers on the ground, while COP is characterized by its community-driven approach, responding to the specific desires and needs of community members.

Beliefs on Trust and Respect

Trust and Respect Dynamics

• About 70% of officers maintain a belief that the majority of individuals can be trusted and that respect for police officers is prevalent within the communities they serve.

• This belief is notably stronger among administrative officers than rank-and-file personnel, suggesting potential differences in exposure to community dynamics.

Importance of Community Knowledge

Knowledge of Community Dynamics

• Over 90% of law enforcement officers assert that understanding the demographics, culture, and specific needs of the community is crucial for effective policing.

• This belief is nearly unanimous among Black (98%), Hispanic (98%), and White (97%) officers, demonstrating a shared acknowledgment of the importance of cultural competence in law enforcement.

Police Officers' Views (Shared Values with Residents)

Shared Values with the Community

• Approximately 70% of police officers believe there is a substantial overlap between their values and those of community residents, indicating a desire for shared community ethics and vision.

• Significant disparities exist by rank, with only 68% of rank-and-file officers feeling this way compared to 85% of supervisory administrators.

• Age differences also affect perceived shared values: only 62% of younger officers aged 18-34 report shared values, compared to 76% of officers aged 50 and older.

Police Officers' Views (Community Relationships)

Beliefs About Community Interaction

• Officers' perceptions of their relationships with community members vary substantially by racial demographic, with:

  • 91% of white officers reporting good or excellent relationships with the communities they serve.

  • 70% of Hispanic officers feeling similarly.

  • Only 56% of Black officers stating good or excellent relations with community members.

• In terms of Black officers' self-perception of their community relations:

  • 90% of them report good/excellent relationships with white community members.

  • Conversely, only 46% of Black officers feel good about their relationships with Hispanic community members and just 32% with other Black community members.

Police Officers' Views (Use of Force)

Beliefs About Aggressive Tactics

• Opinions on the necessity of aggressive tactics are divided among officers, influenced by their race and ethnicity. Racial dynamics play a role in shaping these views.

• Younger and lower-ranking officers generally express a stronger belief in the need for aggressive policing strategies to enforce law and order.

Calloused Attitudes in Officers

Factors Influencing Callousness

• The phenomenon of callousness among police officers is significantly influenced by the duration of their service; longer tenures correlate with increased callousness.

• A greater number of confrontations encountered by officers also contributes to escalating callous attitudes towards the community and the use of force.

• Research indicates that younger officers, particularly those who are white, often exhibit a higher degree of callousness compared to their