Police Management Principles

Division of Labor

• Police departments are organized by division of labor, considering: personal, area, time, function, and purpose.

Managerial Definitions

• Police departments consist of three basic components: People, Activities, and a Specific Goal.
• Crime fighting occupies only 20% of police officers' time.

Chain of Command - Hierarchy of Authority

• A managerial concept describing the relationship between supervisors and subordinates.
• Every individual is supervised by one immediate supervisor.
• Smaller departments tend to have more intimate relationships between supervisors and subordinates.

Span of Control

• The number of officers a superior can effectively supervise.
• Management research indicates the optimal span of control is 6 to 10 officers.

Delegation of Responsibility and Authority

• Tasks, duties, and responsibilities are assigned with corresponding authority.

Unity of Command

• Each individual is directly accountable to their supervisor.

Alternative Managerial Models and Structures

• Shared leadership model incorporates subordinates into decision-making processes.
• Research indicates significant improvements in departments that utilize shared leadership models.
• Successful shared leadership models require trust and strong communication skills.

NYPD's CompStat Program

• Decentralized management structure.
• Since 1992, New York City has experienced an 85% decrease in crime rates.

Sworn vs. Nonsworn Personnel

• Sworn members possess traditional police powers, including upholding federal, state, and local criminal laws. This includes police officers, troopers, and deputy sheriffs, who take an oath of office.
• Nonsworn members are assigned to non-enforcement roles, considered civilian positions. This includes civilian investigators, crime analysts, dispatchers, equipment managers, and records management personnel. They have limited arrest powers as they are not licensed to carry firearms.

Highly Organized Rank Structure

• Chief of Police/Police Commissioner - The head of the agency.
• Captain - In charge of an operational or administrative area of the police department.
• Lieutenant - Responsible for an entire platoon (all officers on a particular tour/shift).
• Sergeant - The first supervisor in the chain of command. Supervises a squad (group of 10 officers) and makes decisions at the scene of police actions.
• Corporal/Master Patrol Officer
• Police Officer
• Detective/Investigator

Patrol Officers

• Perform the basic duties of the police department.

Precincts/Districts/Stations

• The entire collection of beats in a geographic area.

Precinct House or Station House

• The administrative headquarters for a precinct.

Desk Officer

• A sergeant or lieutenant who supervises all activities in the station house.

The Three-Tour System

• Divides each 24-hour period into three shifts to distribute manpower.
• This system does not always align with crime patterns.

Tour Length

• The most common tour length is eight hours.
• Ten-hour tours are also common.
• Twelve-hour tours are increasing, but concerns exist about officer fatigue.

Overtime Issues

• Officers must complete all assigned tasks before leaving for the day.

Tour Conditions

• Day Tour: Focuses on:
  • Construction
  • Traffic flow
  • Schools
  • Police hot spots (commercial areas)
  • Other police services
• Evening Tour: The busiest tour for police.

Line and Staff (Support) Functions

• Line Functions: Directly connected to the organization's goals.
• Staff (Support) Functions: Supplement line units in their task performance.

Police Department Units

• Operational Units: Focus on policing activities directly related to the agency's goals.
• Administrative Units: Not directly related to the public. They facilitate smooth agency operations, including:
  • Personnel
  • Planning and Analysis
  • Budget
  • Clerical Work

Reserve Officers

• Volunteers and non-regular members of law enforcement agencies.
• Sworn members with full police powers.
• Serve with or without compensation.

Auxiliaries

• Volunteer officers in law enforcement agencies who have limited authority.

Beats

• The smallest geographic area that a single patrol unit can effectively patrol, using various methods: foot, bike, car, or horse patrol.
• Ideally, officers should know everyone in their beat, and beats should not be too large.

This quiz covers key concepts of police management, including the division of labor, chain of command, and delegation of responsibilities. Understand the importance of supervision and the optimal span of control in police departments. Test your knowledge on how these principles apply to law enforcement.