ALTERNATIVES TO MILITARY RANK TITLES IN LAW ENFORCEMENT

• NCJ Number: 13860
• Journal: Police Chief Volume: 41 Issue: 4 Dated: (APRIL 1974) Pages: 16-17,82
• Author(s): J V WILSON
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 3 pages
• Corporate Author: International Assoc of Chiefs of Police
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

POLICE CHIEF JERRY WILSON OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA DISCUSSES THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF ABOLISHING THE MILITARY RANK SYSTEM FOR POLICE OFFICERS.

Abstract

CHIEF WILSON INDICATES THAT THE MILITARY RANK SYSTEM IS OFTEN RATIONALIZED AS NECESSARY TO ESTABLISH VISIBLE CHAIN OF COMMAND DURING EMERGENCY POLICE OPERATIONS. THE FUNDUMENTAL PROBLEM, HE NOTES, IS THAT POLICE PROMOTION PROCEDURES DO NOT FOLLOW THOSE OF THE MILITARY. THIS RESULTS IN PUBLIC MISUNDERSTANDING AND STATUS MOTIVATED PROMOTION DESIRES FOR POLICE OFFICERS. IF A LESS VISIBLE SUPERVISORY STRUCTURE WERE ESTABLISHED, ALL POLICEMEN WOULD BE CALLED 'OFFICER', AND PAY STRUCTURE AND AUTHORITY WITHIN POLICE RANKS COULD NONETHELESS BE MAINTAINED. STRESS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT WOULD HAVE TO BE PLACED ON UNITY OF COMMAND, AND TITLE WOULD BE RELATED TO THE ASSIGNMENT RATHER THAN TO THE INDIVIDUAL. CHIEF WILSON ARGUES THAT DISCIPLINE AND EFFICIENCY IN EMERGENCIES HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY NUMEROUS AGENCIES WITHOUT A VISIBLE RANK STRUCTURE AND SUGGESTS THAT THIS LEAD COULD EASILY BE FOLLOWED BY UNIFORMED POLICE FORCES.