Structuring the Political Independence of the Police Chief (From Police Leadership in America, P 5-19, 1985, William A Geller, ed. - See NCJ-98325)

• NCJ Number: 99238
• Author(s): A H Andrews
• Date Published: 1985
• Length: 15 pages
• Sale Source: Praeger Publishers
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article recommends the establishment of a formal structure for the police chief's independence from political officals, suggests models for such a structure, and identifies particular areas where the exercise of independence is important for the police chief.

Abstract

The high degree of independence from the authority of political officials which police chiefs have traditionally enjoyed should be formally specified by law, charter, or ordinance. Both the city management form of government and the British structure for the authority of the chief constable would be effective models for structuring the independence of police chiefs in the United States because police chiefs would then be accountable to elected bodies granting them the authority to perform all police-related administrative functions without political interference. Whatever structure is selected, it should ensure that police chiefs are the principal policymakers for law enforcement and protect the chiefs from arbitrary dismissal. Police chiefs should also be given a substantial role in collective bargaining with police unions in matters pertaining to working conditions.