Chapter 4 Police Functions and Units. Law Enforcement in the 21 st Century, 3e Heath B. Grant and...

Chapter 4

Police Functions and Units

Law Enforcement in the 21st Century, 3eHeath B. Grant and Karen J. Terry

© 2012 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.

All Rights Reserved.2

Introduction

Order maintenance v. law

enforcement

Organizational structure and its effect

on linkage blindness

Administrative services

Special units and divisions




Goals of Policing

Prevent crime and protect life

Uphold and enforce the law

Combat public fear of crime

Promote community safety

Control traffic

Encourage respect for the law

Protect civil rights and liberties




Order Maintenance Versus Law Enforcement

Political Era—Order maintenance

Professionalization—Uphold and enforce laws

Fear of crime and actual crime rate differ

Contending with conflicting goals & demands

Enforcement embedded in political and social

forces




Translating Goals into Mission Statements and PoliciesGoals stated in writing

Part of Mission Statement

In form of specific policies

List of values

Policy

Specific statement of guiding principles

Written directive or interim order




Organizational Structure and Accountability

Organizational charts

Small departments police generalists

Larger departments greater

specialization




Hierarchical Structures Centralized Policing

Chains of command

Rigid hierarchy—Quasi-military

Command and administration

Middle management

Line personnel




Quasi-Military Model of Policing Key Features Centralized command structure Clearly defined hierarchical authority Rigid adherence to rank Use of military terminology Division of labor by function and specialization Selection and promotion according to merit and

competence Strictly enforced rules




Hierarchical Structures Centralized Policing (con’t.)

“Blue Wall of Silence”

Linkage blindness

Vertical differentiation

Tall organizations

Span of control




Flat Organizations Decentralized Policing

Elimination of middle ranks

Decentralized command

Horizontal differentiation hampers

information sharing

Structure changes

Functional structures

Matrix structures




Divisions and Units

Divisions

Personnel who share policing function

Divisions commanded by high-ranking officer

Units

Smaller groups within divisions

Each deals with specific aspect of divisional

tasks




Administrative Services

Operational Units Direct assistance to public

Staffed by sworn police officers

Administrative Units Personnel

Records

Research and planning

Public information




Administrative Services (con’t.)

Internal Affairs

Special Units and Divisions

Covert or undercover operations

Sting operations

Reverse sting operations

Decoy operations

Blending operations




Administrative Services (con’t.)Special Weapons and Tactics

(S.W.A.T.) Responsible for:

Apprehension of barricaded suspects

Resolution of hostage situations

Warrant service

Arrest or incapacitation of dangerous suspects

Security for visiting dignitaries

Origins

Trends and controversies




Administrative Services (con’t.)

Juvenile Units School liaison officers

D.A.R.E.

Canine (K9) Units Tracking

Searches

Drug identification

Officer backup




ReflectionsOn Chapter Four

1. Explain how goals, policies, and procedures differ. How are the decisions of individual police officers guided by policies and procedures?

2. What is the purpose of a mission statement? How do mission statements help to shape the working culture of a police department?

3. What is the basic division of police functions? What is the difference between a police division and a police unit?

4. What is the difference between an operational unit and an administrative unit? Identify and describe the basic functions of two operational units and two administrative units.

5. What are the four basic outcomes of a police complaint? What is the difference between an unfounded complaint and an unsubstantiated complaint?

6. What is the basic function of the S.W.A.T. unit? Do you think that such units should only be reactive?

Chapter 4 Police Functions and Units. Law Enforcement in the 21 st Century, 3e Heath B. Grant and...

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