NCJ Number
64476
Journal
SCHRIFTENREIHDER POLIZEI-FUEHRUNGSAKADEMIE Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: (1979) Pages: 125-133
Date Published
1979
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THE EXERCISE OF CONTROL AS AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF LEADERSHIP IS ANALYZED WITH REGARD TO WEST GERMAN SENIOR POLICE OFFICERS.
Abstract
IN SUPERVISING THE EXECUTION OF THEIR ORDERS, SENIOR OFFICERS MUST ALWAYS BE READY TO DEAL WITH SUDDEN OBSTRUCTIONS RESULTING FROM A CHANGE IN THE SITUATION, AN ERROR IN JUDGMENT AT THE TIME OF THE DECISION, AN ERROR IN PHRASING OR TRANSMITTING THE ORDER, OR SIMPLE HUMAN FAILURE. IN THIS RESPECT, 'CONTROL' IS DEFINED AS A METHOD OF COMPARING THE ACTUAL STATE OF AFFAIRS (IS) WITH THE DESIRED STATE OF AFFAIRS (SHOULD BE). TWO BASIC TYPES OF CONTROL ACTIVITY INVOLVE SELF-CONTROL (BY THE COMMANDING OFFICE OF HIMSELF) AND CONTROL OF OTHERS (IN THIS CASE, BY A STAFF OF PEER POLICE OFFICERS OR CHIEFS). FOR BOTH TYPES OF CONTROL, THREE SUBJECT AREAS EXIST: (1) CONTROL OF BEHAVIOR, (2) CONTROL OF PROCEDURE, AND (3) CONTROL OF RESULTS. BEHAVIORAL CONTROL EVALUATES THE OFFICER'S MENTAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, AND PHYSICAL ABILITY, HIS MOTIVATION, AND HIS BEHAVIOR TOWARDS COLLEAGUES. PROCEDURAL CONTROLS EXAMINE THE CORRECTNESS OF THE INITIAL DECISION, THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE MEANS OF EXECUTION, AND THE ADHERENCE TO PRE-ESTABLISHED RULES AND ORDERS. TO CONTROL THE SUCCESS OF THE ORDER, THE STAFF MUST PREDETERMINE A CLEAR MEASUREMENT FOR SUCCESS, COMMUNICATE THE MEASUREMENT TO THE EVALUATED OFFICER, AND SET A DATE FOR THE EVALUATION. IF A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN THE ACTUAL SITUATION AND THE DESIRED SITUATION IS FOUND, THE STAFF WILL DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE DISCREPANCY. SINCE MANY OFFICERS STILL RESENT ADVICE AS UNWARRANTED INTERFERENCE, THE ADVISORY STAFF MUST EXERCISE TACT AND GOOD JUDGMENT IN ASSISTING OFFICERS IN SUPERVISING THEIR ORDERS. THE ARTICLE CONTAINS A SHORT BIBLIOGRAPHY AND A DIAGRAM OF THE VARIOUS CONTROL ACTIVITIES. --IN GERMAN. (SAJ)