POLICE MANAGEMENT - CRITICAL ELEMENTS FOR CITY MANAGERS

• NCJ Number: 14770
• Journal: Public Management Volume: 55 Issue: 4 Dated: (APRIL 1973) Pages: 12-15
• Author(s): C R GAIN; R T GALVIN
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: International City/County Management Assoc
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE ROLE OF THE CITY MANAGER IN DIRECTING AND MANAGING POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICIES AND ACTIONS IS DISCUSSED, WITH SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING POLICE MANAGEMENT.

Abstract

WHILE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS SUBORDINATE TO THE PUBLIC, THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITY MANAGER, THE AUTHORS CONTEND THAT THE POLICE HAVE OFTEN CONSIDERED THEMSELVES AS AN INDEPENDENT AGENCY, NOT ACCOUNTABLE TO THE REST OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT. TO AVOID THIS SITUATION AND IMPROVE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY, SEVERAL KEY AREAS OF POLICE MANAGEMENT ARE SUGGESTED. THE AUTHORS STATE THAT THE CITY MANAGER MUST FORCE A CLARIFICATION OF DEPARTMENT GOALS, REQUIRE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SYSTEM OF EVALUATION WITHIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND ENCOURAGE THE CHIEF OF POLICE TO CONSIDER HIMSELF PART OF THE CITY'S MANAGEMENT TEAM. REQUIRING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO UNDERTAKE POLICECOMMUNITY RELATIONS PROGRAMS, AND DEMANDING EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT POLICE PERFORMANCE ARE ALSO LISTED AS ESSENTIAL POLICE MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER.