NCJ Number
60210
Date Published
1978
Length
22 pages
Annotation
THE ELITE, OR SPECIALIZED POLICE UNITS IN ENGLAND ARE DISCUSSED, PROBLEMS CREATED BY ELITE UNITS ARE IDENTIFIED, AND RATIONAL RESPONSES TO THESE PROBLEMS ARE PROPOSED.
Abstract
WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THIS STUDY, ELITE MEANS A SPECIALIZED POLICE DEPARTMENT UNIT DEALING WITH POLICE WORK WHICH REQUIRES SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE. ELITE UNITS ARE CHARACTERIZED BY EFFECTIVENESS, HIGH MORALE, SATISFACTION WITH WORK, AND 'ESPRIT DE CORPS.' THEY INCLUDE ANTITERRORIST BRANCHES AND DRUG ABUSE INVESTIGATION UNITS. GROUP MEMBERS ARE UNITED BY SIMILAR THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS. THEY MAY PLAY FORMAL ROLES OF DRIVERS, DEPUTIES AND PROPERTY OFFICERS AND INFORMAL ROLES OF COMEDIANS, CYNICS, AND INTELLECTUALS. THE GROUP FEEDS ON THE BEHAVIOR OF A FEW WHO ARE DRIVEN TO ACHIEVE BY CURIOSITY, THE SEARCH FOR POWER, OR THE PURITAN WORK ETHIC, AND WHO, WITH INTERNAL RECOGNITION OF STATUS, DESIRE TO DO BETTER, AND TO ADD TO THE GROUP'S STATUS AS A WHOLE. THE ONLY TRUE FUNCTIONS--OR INTENDED CONSEQUENCES--OF AN ELITE UNIT ARE FOR THE UNIT TO BE EFFECTIVE AT ITS TASK AND TO PROVIDE SATISFACTION AND ENJOYMENT FOR THE MEMBERS. DYSFUNCTIONS OR UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES INCLUDE GREATER LOYALTY TO THE GROUP THAN TO THE PARENT ORGANIZATION, TOO GREAT AN IDENTIFICATION WITH THE TASK ASSIGNED, PROMOTION OF FAVORITES WITHIN THE UNITS, AND CORRUPTION. THE KEY TO EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF SPECIALIZED UNITS IS LEADERSHIP BY SOMEONE WHO KNOWS THE MEMBERS' CAPABILITIES, WHO RECOGNIZES THE NEED TO CONTINUE OR TERMINATE THE UNIT'S OPERATIONS, AND WHO STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF HONESTY IN ALL CONTROL ACTIVITIES. A BRIEF BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED IN THE PAPER. (LWM)