Police Unions and the Rejuvenation of American Policing (From Police and Policing: Contemporary Issues, P 241-246, 1989, Dennis Jay Kenney, ed. -- See NCJ-121271)

• NCJ Number: 121290
• Author(s): R B Kliesmet
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 6 pages
• Sale Source: Praeger Publishers
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Police unions are essential in American law enforcement both because of the nature and demands of modern policing and because of the history and practice of police management in the United States.

Abstract

Like all workers, police organize to have a secure base from which to resist arbitrary and unfair treatment. This base is needed in part because police responsibilities include not only law enforcement but also many other activities that require the extensive use of professional judgment. Focusing only on the law enforcement role and characterizing it as lacking in discretion demeans the skill of police officers and has perpetuated the military structure and management of police organizations. However, the nature of the demand for police services is changing, and police departments are beginning to adjust their tactics to the changes. The handling of disorder is a particularly important issue and requires input from rank-and-file police officers. Thus, both the recent trends and the greatly expanded range of police functions require that police executives view all police officers as partners and devise methods to recognize, obtain, and use officers to their greatest potential. 7 references.