NCJ Number
51339
Date Published
1978
Length
35 pages
Annotation
FOUR AREAS OF POLICE MANAGEMENT ARE EXAMINED TO IDENTIFY ISSUES THAT WILL CONCERN POLICE MANAGERS IN THE NEAR FUTURE; THEY ARE MANAGEMENT SUCCESSES AND FAILURES FROM 1972 TO 1976, AND INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL PROBLEMS.
Abstract
POLICE MANAGERS' SUCCESSES INCLUDE IMPROVEMENTS IN MANAGERIAL SKILLS AND STYLE, MOST NOTABLY IN TURNING FROM THE AUTHORITARIAN MODEL TO MORE PARTICIPATORY MANAGEMENT. THERE HAS BEEN A REEXAMINATION OF THE POLICE 'MISSION,' WITH THE POLICE AGENCY BEING SEEN MORE AS A SERVICE ORGANIZATION THAN A LAW-AND-ORDER INSTITUTION. THERE IS A TENDENCY TOWARDS MORE HONESTY ON ISSUES OF POLICE MISCONDUCT AND CORRUPTION AND MORE COOPERATION IN RESEARCH ON THE DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMUNITY. MANAGERS HAVE INITIATED BETTER STANDARDS FOR SELECTING POLICE CHIEFS AND HAVE IMPROVED TECHNIQUES FOR PERSONNEL MAMAGEMENT. THERE IS A HIGHER LEVEL OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING AT ALL STAGES OF POLICE WORK, AND SOME AGENCIES HAVE ENCOURAGED MIDDLE MANAGEMENT EXCHANGE PROGRAMS. AN INCREASED NUMBER OF WOMEN AND MINORITY GROUP MEMBERS HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED. THERE HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANT TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES IN COMMUNICATIONS CAPABILITIES, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, EQUIPMENT, AND FORENSICS. HOWEVER, DURING THIS PERIOD, CRIME RATES HAVE RISEN FASTER THAN THE POPULATION. OTHER FAILURES INCLUDE A PERSISTENT LACK OF INVOLVEMENT WITH THE COMMUNITY AND THE INABILITY TO DEVELOP A WELL-CONCEIVED, COORDINATED SYSTEM OF POLICE RESEARCH TO ALLOW FOR CHALLENGES TO LONG-STANDING PROCEDURES AND TO ENCOMPASS PROVISIONS FOR DISSEMINATING RESEARCH FINDINGS. THERE HAS ALSO BEEN A LACK OF HARMONIOUS INTERREACTION WITH OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND FAILURE TO INITIATE LATERAL ENTRY INTO POLICE ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS. INTERNAL PROBLEMS THAT CONCERN POLICE MANAGERS ARE USUALLY BUDGET LIMITATIONS, POOR PRODUCTIVITY, PERFORMANCE, AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION. PROBLEMS ALSO STEM FROM COMPLIANCE WITH EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY MANDATES AND FROM POLICE UNION DEMANDS. EXTERNAL PROBLEMS INCLUDE LACK OF CONTROL IN RELATION TO THE COMMUNITY, PRESSURE FROM POLITICIANS, CONFUSION ASSOCIATED WITH DECRIMINALIZATION OF CERTAIN OFFENSES, AND DIFFICULTIES IN CONSOLIDATING SUPPORT SERVICES. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT POLICE ADMINISTRATORS UNDERTAKE A THOROUGH AND CRITICAL SELF-EXAMINATION. MANAGERS MUST BECOME STRONGER, FURTHER IMPROVE THEIR MANAGERIAL SKILLS, ADJUST THEIR STYLE TO FOSTER BETTER PERSONNEL RELATIONS, AND BECOME MORE COMPETENT IN AREAS SUCH AS RESOURCE ALLOCATION, WORKLOAD, PROCEDURAL POLICYMAKING, AND CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION. POLICY REVIEW QUESTIONS ARE INCLUDED. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--DAG)