NCJ Number
165246
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 65 Issue: 10 Dated: (October 1996) Pages: 8-11
Date Published
1996
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Placing civilians in the upper management of police agencies is consistent with Sir Robert Peel's concept of the police and the public as one entity and with community policing's philosophy of empowering both police personnel and community members to resolve problems.
Abstract
Police managers oversee the operations of uniformed forces and technical support personnel, take command of personnel in emergencies, use discretionary authority to deal with citizen complaints, ensure that reports and correspondence are complete and ready for the executive to sign, and respond to difficult questions and policies. Effective managers have good decision-making, analytical, and leadership skills. They need education and experience in the duties of managing a complex organization, but not necessarily in the specifics of policing. Civilian division commanders have worked in law enforcement for some time. Contemporary police organizations should include talented civilians at all levels, especially upper management. Police agencies should recognize that law enforcement managers are effective because they possess certain qualities, traits, and skills, not because they have arrest powers. Carefully chosen, qualified civilian administrators can infuse an agency with fresh thinking and help foster the notion of community-oriented policing. List of assignments suitable for civilian commanders and source of further information