NCJ Number
192884
Date Published
1995
Length
336 pages
Annotation
Intended as a textbook for undergraduate courses in police administration, this book achieves a balance between academic content and practical orientation.
Abstract
A chapter on the history of police administration contains sections on modern American police leaders and the impact of various forces on police administration. This is followed by a chapter on organizational theory and police organizations. Chapter 3 focuses on management and leadership concepts, with discussions of change strategy, police objectives, and leadership issues. A chapter on communications addresses the communication process, basic types of communication patterns, barriers to communications, feedback, group versus individual communication, unique communications problems, and communications and the media. Chapter 5, which discusses administrative services, contains sections on staff functions and auxiliary functions. Patrol, patrol shifts, and the evaluation of patrol performance are featured in another chapter. A chapter on investigative services encompasses history, the functions of police in criminal investigations, the organizational structure of investigations, the administration of a detective unit, investigative techniques and methods, case clearances, and the RAND analysis of police investigations. The police sergeant and supervision, the role of middle management, and executive management of a police organization are the foci of Chapter 8. Remaining chapters deal with legal issues, human resources and labor relations, management information systems, fiscal issues, community policing, and ethical issues and values. Each chapter provides a summary and review questions, with some chapters also containing case studies, exercises, and practical applications.