NCJ Number
82190
Date Published
1981
Length
23 pages
Annotation
A methodology for the development of policies, rules, and procedures in a law enforcement agency is presented.
Abstract
Setting policy is an important early step in providing guidance to subordinates. Policymakers must begin with clear, well-founded objectives. They must not only work closely with the planning, research, and development personnel, but should also obtain input from the agency's governing body, legal counsel, and the lower level staff who will implement policy. Draftsmanship is critical, given the necessity of applying policy to all relevant situations. There must be a method of communicating policy to line officers. A manual may be used with a system of self-cancelling to ensure effective updating. While policy provides a guideline for the decisions of subordinates, rules are statements that a specific action must or must not be taken in a given situation. Procedure is a method for dealing with a particular situation, and it differs from a rule in providing some flexibility. Once a policy guideline is formulated, rules and procedures should be developed to implement it. Further, the effects of all policy should be monitored, and policy, rules, and procedures should be revised, updated, or cancelled as effects and changing circumstances dictate. Exhibits include examples of policy with no accompanying rules or procedures (supplemental employment and the decision not to arrest), examples of policy statements accompanied by procedures (emergency operations of police vehicles and standards for releasing information to the news media), and an example of rules (use of firearms).