NCJ Number
67730
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 28 Issue: 5 Dated: (MAY 1980) Pages: 10,12,14,22
Date Published
1980
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THIS JOURNAL ARTICLE DISCUSSES THE ROLE OF THE POLICE DETECTIVE SUPERVISOR WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO WHAT THE ATTITUDES AND POLICIES OF A GOOD SUPERVISOR SHOULD BE.
Abstract
A DETECTIVE SHOULD RELATE TO ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE, CORRELATE ALL THE VARIOUS REPORTS AND INFORMATION, AND DEVELOP A PROSECUTABLE CASE. PATROL OFFICERS AND DETECTIVES MUST WORK TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOAL OF SOLVING CRIMES, AND THE DETECTIVE SUPERVISOR AND POLICE MANAGEMENT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE THIS GOAL IS REACHED. A SUPERVISOR MUST DEVIATE FROM NORMAL PROCEDURE IN MANY DETECTIVE CASES. THIS POLICY, CALLED MANAGEMENT BY EXCEPTION, CONTRASTS WITH THE PATROL SUPERVISION POLICY, MANAGEMENT BY OBJECTIVE, WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW DEVIATIONS. SUPERVISORS WITH INVESTIGATIVE EXPERIENCE OR TRAINING WILL MAKE THE BEST DETECTIVE SUPERVISORS. GOOD SUPERVISORS WILL CREATE A REALISTIC POLICY AND BE AWARE OF THE PERSONAL PROBLEMS OF EMPLOYEES, AND WEIGH EACH PERSON'S ATTRIBUTES TO DETERMINE WHO IS BEST SUITED FOR ANY GIVEN JOB. THE ARTICLE CONCLUDES THAT THE KEY WORDS ARE COMMON SENSE AND FLEXIBILITY, AND THAT DETECTIVE SUPERVISORS HAVE TO KNOW THEIR PEOPLE AND THEIR CAPABILITIES, KNOW THEIR OWN CAPABILITIES, AND LET THEIR PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THEY EXPECT FROM THEM. (JLF)