NCJ Number
96207
Date Published
1985
Length
352 pages
Annotation
The history and structure of law enforcement management is reviewed, and some traditional management models are examined in terms of the 'proactive' perspective.
Abstract
The proactive approach is viewed as a positive way of increasing the effectiveness of the delivery of line and patrol services. The skills and concepts needed to become a professional police manager are highlighted; these include a good sense of leadership and independence and the ability to persaude police officers to do their jobs with the utmost efficiency. The authors present a fundamental conceptual framework for the structure of the proactive police agency and emphasize the importance of having explicit formal and informal goals. Concepts basic to the operational knowledge of all police managers and supervisors are explored, including range and span of control, unity of command, and division of work. Basic leadership styles are reviewed, and good communications skills are shown to be the center of good management. The operation of the police agency on a daily basis is discussed, with attention focused on the patrol function and the various line functions (including traffic, youth services, vice, and investigation) related to carrying out patrol operations. Administrative functions, training policies, and collective bargaining are also examined. Finally, the proactive police agency is offered as a model; a look at what the future might offer to police managers is included. Thirty-eight references, 16 tables, and 7 figures are supplied.