NCJ Number
342
Date Published
1968
Length
20 pages
Annotation
THE FORMAL ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF A MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENT IS EXAMINED.
Abstract
THESE ORGANIZATIONS VIOLATE TWO BASIC PRINCIPLES OF ORGANIZATIONAL THEORY AND MANAGERIAL PRACTICES - (1) THE WORK IS NOT DIVIDED INTO CATEGORIES THAT ARE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE, AND (2) THERE IS A LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY, BECAUSE RESPONSIBILITY HAS NOT BEEN ALLOCATED, PROPERLY AND DEFINITELY, TO SINGLE INDIVIDUALS. A FORMAL ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE FOR A MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENT IS SUGGESTED WHERE THE DIVISION OF WORK, RESPONSIBILITY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY IS DELEGATED IN A CONSISTENT AND UNDERSTANDABLE MANNER. PARTICULAR ATTENTION HAS BEEN PAID TO THESE MATTERS IN THE AREA OF CONTROLLING CRIME. THE BASIC UNIT OF THE NEW ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE IS THE CRIME CONTROL TEAM. THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE PROPOSED STRUCTURE ARE DISCUSSED.