NCJ Number
46027
Journal
Schriftenreihe der Polizei-Fuehrungsakademie Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: (1978) Pages: 9-21
Date Published
1978
Length
13 pages
Annotation
MODERN PROBLEMS ARISING IN WEST GERMAN POLICE MANAGEMENT FROM THE GROWING DEMANDS FOR INTERNAL SECURITY ARE OUTLINED.
Abstract
HIGH-LEVEL POLICE MANAGEMENT IS SUBJECT TO FIVE PRINCIPLES: (1) POLICE MISSION AND PERSONNEL POTENTIAL ARE TO BE CONSIDERED TOGETHER; (2) EXISTING PERSONNEL MUST BE USED AS ECONOMICALLY AS POSSIBLE; (3) A POLICE FORCE FUNCTIONING WITH FULL EFFECTIVENESS ON A DAILY BASIS IS THE KEY TO POLICE SUCCESS; (4) RESPONSIBILITIES MUST BE CLEARLY DEFINED; AND (5) INDIVIDUALS BEARING RESPONSIBILITY SHOULD ALSO BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS. SOCIAL CHANGES HAVE COME ABOUT SO RAPIDLY THAT POLICE MANAGEMENT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO ADJUST DECISIONMAKING CRITERIA TO POLITICAL EXIGENCIES. AREAS WHICH PRESENT PARTICULAR DIFFICULTIES ARE DISTRIBUTION OF PERSONNEL, FORMATION OF SPECIAL UNITS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS, ORGANIZATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES, FALSE BELIEF IN THE ABILITY TO COMPENSATE FOR AN INADEQUATE LEGAL CRIME PREVENTION BASIS, OUTSIDE POLITICAL DECISIONS ON POLICE WORK WITHOUT EXPERT POLICE ADVICE, UNCLEAR USE OF LANGUAGE IN DIRECTIVES AND MEMOS, CREATION OF AN ATMOSPHERE WHICH STIMULATES INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS, AND STRENGTHENING OF THE ADMINISTRATION IN CHARGE OF IMMEDIATE DECISIONS. UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THE RANGE OF DECISIONMAKING AUTHORITY AND FAILURE TO FULFILL THE OBLIGATION OF PASSING INFORMATION TO HIGHER AUTHORITIES TEND TO UNDERMINE THE SUPERVISORS' DECISIONMAKING ABILITY. TO DEAL WITH THESE PROBLEMS, POLICE OFFICIALS MUST ACCEPT THE PROBLEMS AS A HANDICAP, TRY TO MAKE DECISIONS APPROPRIATE TO THE SPECIAL FIELD, GUARD AGAINST OVERSENSITIVITY, REJECT PERSONAL AMBITION, STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN LOYALTY AND STABILITY, SEEK TO ESTABLISH RECIPROCITY OF LOYALTY, REMAIN CALM IN THE FACE OF TENSIONS, BE ABLE TO RELY ON THEMSELVES, AND MAINTAIN A POLITE, ELEGANT MANNER. IT IS EMPHASIZED THAT THE EXISTENCE OF THE STATE IS DEPENDENT ON AN INTERNALLY STABLE POLICE FORCE. --IN GERMAN. (KMD)