CRJU 302 Policing 3 (chap 11)

Chapter 11: Municipal & County Agencies: Organization, Administration, and Roles

Introduction to Organizations

• Definition of Organizations: Entities comprising two or more people cooperating to accomplish shared objectives, often aligned with specific goals within a defined community or societal context.

• Key Characteristics:

  • Arranged personnel and material are aimed at achieving specified goals.

  • Larger organizations typically exhibit more complexity, which can include:

    • Division of Labor: Specialization of tasks enables efficiency and expertise in various areas.

    • Greater Specialization: Varied roles such as administrative, operational, and investigative functions allow for optimal effectiveness.

    • Hierarchical Structure: A defined chain of command merges accountability with efficiency in operations.

    • Authoritarian Chain of Command: Clear directives help in maintaining discipline and operational order.

Police Agencies as Organizations

Larger Agencies Require Specialization:

• Example: The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has over 9,000 sworn officers and 3,000 civilian employees, resulting in one of the lowest officer-to-community ratios in the United States, emphasizing the need for strategic officer deployment in duty.

Fundamentals of Police Organizational Structure

• Unity of Command:

  • Each officer reports directly to one superior officer. Ensures clarity in command and enhances efficiency in decision-making processes.

  • Importance of adhering to the chain of command is paramount in maintaining operational integrity.

• Span of Control:

  • Refers to the number of subordinates effectively supervised by an officer. The ideal span is 3-5 at the top level, gradually increasing at lower levels to ensure manageable supervision.

  • Proper span of control prevents oversights and supports effective leadership.

• Importance of Well-Written Policies and Procedures:

  • Foundation of a police agency ensures clarity and accountability.

  • Policies: General guidelines reflecting the agency’s purpose and philosophy such as community-oriented policing strategies.

  • Procedures: Detailed methodologies for completing tasks or addressing situations, ensuring consistency and clarity in practices (e.g., community involvement steps).

  • Rules and Regulations: Specific guidelines intended to restrict discretion and maintain order (e.g., prohibitions against inappropriate behaviors).

Communication in Police Organizations

• Types of Communication:

  • Downward Communication: Involves the dissemination of instructions, rationale, procedures, feedback, and semantics of indoctrination to subordinates to ensure everyone is on the same page.

  • Upward Communication: Feedback from lower echelons back to superiors, essential for operational adjustments and morale checks.

  • Horizontal Communication: Peer-to-peer interactions aid in fostering teamwork and collaboration across ranks.

• Barriers to Effective Communication:

  • Listening Skills: Inadequate listening skills can severely hamper organizational effectiveness, leading to miscommunication and errors.

  • Varied Understanding and Comprehension Among Staff: Differing levels of education, experience, and cultural backgrounds contribute to communication breakdowns.

  • Physical/Environmental Barriers: Time constraints and limited spaces can hinder effective communication.

  • Cultural and Attitudinal Barriers: Differring perspectives and attitudes toward authority can impact interactions.

Local Police Agencies

Types of Local Agencies:

• There are approximately 17,000 local police departments throughout the United States, employing about 452,000 full-time city police officers and 174,000 full-time sheriff’s deputies.

Differences:

• Most sheriff's offices operate jails, with 91% handling jails compared to only 9% run by city police.

• City police are required to undergo about 55 additional hours of training compared to counterparts in sheriff departments, reflecting differing operational focuses.

Long Beach Police Department (LBPD)

• Core Values: Ethics, Intelligence, Respect, driving their operational framework.

• Current Staffing: Approximately 800 sworn officers present a balanced approach to community policing.

• Rank Structure:

  • Chief

  • Deputy Chiefs

  • Commanders

  • Lieutenants

  • Sergeants

  • Corporals

  • Patrol Officers

Roles of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs)

• Police Chiefs:

  • Qualifications may differ based on agency size, with a preference for promoting from within to ensure institutional knowledge retention.

  • Average tenure of police chiefs is about 5.5 years, requiring them to engage effectively with both the community and their agency staff.

• Sheriffs:

  • Often elected positions with term limits, sheriffs serve as local law enforcement leaders.

  • Typically older, their extensive backgrounds vary widely but play crucial roles in community law enforcement.

  • Common functions include maintaining law and order, operating jails, serving civil processes, and enforcing state laws.

Mintzberg Model of Police CEOs

Roles:

• Interpersonal Role: Focuses on leadership, representation, and engaging with community stakeholders.

• Informational Role: Sharing relevant information internally to ensure all personnel are informed about policies, changes, and community needs.

• Decision-Maker Role: Involves resource allocation, negotiating budgets, and establishing priorities for law enforcement efforts and strategies.

Middle Managers

Roles:

• Oversee operations and personnel within their units, playing a vital role in the development and enforcement of agency plans, policies, and procedures.

First-Line Supervisors

Sergeants and Corporals:

• Directly supervise officers, significantly impacting agency performance, officer morale, and community relations. Their role is critical in handling immediate operational challenges and ensuring adherence to policies.

Local Police-Media Relations

Importance:

• Striking a balance between public knowledge and the integrity of ongoing investigations is essential to maintaining community trust and effective policing.

Summary and Key Takeaways

• Focus of the Chapter: The chapter details the structure and function of local police agencies, highlighting the complexities of hierarchies, roles within the organizations, and governmental influences on administration.

• Effective Administration: The crucial role of effective administration is noted for fostering accountability and ethical conduct within police organizations.

Key Terms and Definitions

• Accreditation: The formal recognition that agencies meet established standards of professional conduct and operational effectiveness.

• Bureaucracy: An administrative system characterized by procedures and a hierarchical structure meant to direct operational activities.

• Policies and Procedures: Established guidelines that inform police operations, promoting consistency and professionalism.

• Span of Control: The optimal number of subordinates a supervisor can effectively manage to ensure efficient and effective oversight.

• Unity of Command: The principle ensuring clarity and accountability in reporting relationships within the organization, crucial for effective operations.