NCJ Number
44845
Date Published
1976
Length
11 pages
Annotation
ORGANIZATIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES THAT SHOULD BE MADE BY POLICE FORCES IN ORDER TO REMAIN EFFECTIVE ARE PROPOSED AND EVALUATED.
Abstract
THERE EXISTS TOO MUCH FRAGMENTATION OF POLICE FORCES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WITH THE 'HOME RULE' TRADITION, EACH MUNICIPALITY, NO MATTER HOW SMALL, HAS ITS OWN POLICE FORCE; THIS AMOUNTS TO FISCAL IRRESPONSIBILITY AND DEPRIVES MANY PEOPLE OF ADEQUATE POLICE SERVICES. CONSOLIDATION AND REGIONALIZATION OF POLICE FORCES ARE RECOMMENDED. THERE IS A SUGGESTED CEILING OF 300 MUNICIPAL POLICE AGENCIES (EXCLUDING FEDERAL, STATE, AND SPECIAL-PURPOSE POLICE); THIS WOULD EASE THE SETTING AND MONITORING OF NATIONAL POLICING STANDARDS, IMPROVE COST EFFECTIVENESS, OPEN CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR POLICE OFFICERS, AND REDUCE POLITICAL AND PAROCHIAL INFLUENCES ON POLICE DEPARTMENTS. THE EXAMPLE OF AMALGAMATION OF BRITISH POLICE FORCES IS CITED. WITHIN INDIVIDUAL FORCES, AN ENVIRONMENT TO NURTURE PROFESSIONALIZATION MUST BE CREATED. THE POLICE OFFICER MUST BE PERMITTED, WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF CLEAR DEPARTMENTAL POLICIES, TO ENLARGE HIS FUNCTIONAL ROLE, EXPAND HIS SERVICE ACTIVITIES, AND EXERCISE DISCRETION WITH GREATER LATITUDE. THE TYPE OF ORGANIZATION WHICH FOSTERS PROFESSIONALIZATION IS THE FLATTENING OF THE PYRAMID OF COMMAND BY SHORTENING UNNECESSARILY LONG CHAINS OF COMMAND. EACH SUPERVISOR WOULD THUS HAVE TO DEPEND LESS ON IMPERIOUS ORDER-GIVING AND INSISTENCE UPON THE PREROGATIVES OF COMMAND AND MORE ON GAINING A HIGH LEVEL OF SUBORDINATE COOPERATION AND COORDINATION. INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS SHOULD BE APPOINTED THROUGH RATIONAL, FAIR, UNAMBIGUOUS EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS, AND THERE SHOULD BE VIGILANCE AGAINST DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES.