The Structure of the Police Department - Research Paper Example

? The Structure of the Police Department The police force is crucial in ensuring law enforcement. The police force is divided into departments which specialize in different areas and activities. Several types of structure commonly used include; vertical, horizontal, team and matrix structures (Samaha, 2005). Vertical structure is the most common while team structure is the most effective. Bloomington police department, which is headed, by a chief of police has five divisions. The divisions have different responsibilities and work together to ensure better performance. Police structure that follow ranking motive officers to work especially when there are promotion opportunities (Das, D 2012 Introduction The body empowered by the state to ensure property protection, law enforcement and reduce civic disorder is the police. Police force is also known either of the following names police department, crime prevention, law enforcement agency, gendarmerie and constabulary. Police is an crucial part in part in ensuring law enforcement. The body is empowered by the state to ensure property protection, law enforcement and reduce civic disorder is the police. Although Police departments have a formal structure, they apply an informal decision making way. These formal police departments which are used as formal law enforcement agencies corresponds military systems know as military model of policing. They are several types of structures used in formulating police departments; vertical, horizontal, team and matrix structures (Samaha, 2005). Vertical structure is the most commonly used in police structure. These departments are strictly formed using tenets of classical systems. In this structure, specialized divisions work independently and form other divisions. Command and control runs through the divisions’ chains of command and communications in general follow this command chains. Departments that are organized vertically are less flexible and tend to innovate in minimal degree (Gaines et al, 2011). The second structure matrix is one that separate procedures and operations are geographically decentralized. It is mostly used by large departments, those with various patrol districts where detectives report to as opposed to going to the central detective commander. It is often used in highway patrol and state agencies. Furthermore, it is usually driven by workload and geographical area. However, it a costly type of structure as compared to the rest. Consequently, use of matrix type of units and organization allows for flexibility in the police departments. It has a significant contribution to solving problems as it allows police departments to gather a mixture of resource to tackle a problem. It is advisable for police executives to consider matrix structure when faced with problems. Giving problems purely to one unit often limit the range of alternatives solutions and option that can be deployed. (Gaines et al, 2011). However, sometimes matrix structure is difficult to coordinate as the outcome involves mixed units or agencies. Third, there is horizontal structure, in this structure actions are formed around core processes and vertical hierarchy and boundaries of departments are eliminated. Usually appropriate in large police agencies for instance where several districts are organized in a department, and a commander is in control (Daft, 2008). In this, each district operates as a mini police department. More authority in this structure is delegated to commanders of districts while vertical level is reduced. Moreover, horizontal structure reduces bureaucratically and hierarchy difficulties procedures that are associated with increased rank levels. Lastly, team structure uses temporary and permanent team to deliver services and figure out problems. The best illustration of team structure is the way in which community policing is carried out in many jurisdictions. Team structure is significant as it focuses on group level activities and not the structure of command. Hierarchical command structure is used in most police department. This is where authority flows from top that is Chief orders down to officers who carry out the orders. Different states have different police department which work together to ensure law and order is maintained. Police departments for any town are usually headed by the chief of police. The next in the chain is a deputy chief of police. This is the common in all town police department. Afterwards, different departments have units which may or may not be alike. Here, is the police department of Bloomington to clearly illustrate functions of the different division. Bloomington Police Department Formed in December 1953 the Bloomington police department with little agreement from the residents’, on whether Bloomington at that time should change from the system of constable. As the area became a town in 1853. There was a strong need for a police department as new villages were incorporated, and the rapidly growing population which was 14,000 in 1953. Currently, Bloomington’s residents are more than 85,000 and a visiting population of higher than that number. The police department now has an annual budget of $16million, an authorized strength of 116 sworn officers, 2 animal control officers and 35 civilians. Technology and communication play a vital role in assisting the mission of the department. Mobile Digital Computers are used by officers in squad cars. The department is linked through to other government units through the numerous computer systems. This department is proud its' on its continued commitment to training and technology improvements that allow staff work efficiently. Sample structure of chief of the police department in Bloomington The top official in the chain of command of this police department is known as chief of police. They are alternatively known as superintended, commissioner and chef constable. This department has six divisions; patrol operations, patrol special operations, investigations, professional support and services. This department is concerned with educating and providing training opportunities for command staff, officers and other employees. The different divisions in this department have different functions which make Bloomington police department function effectively. The Patrol division comprise of uniformed officers using unmarked and marked patrol vehicles. The patrol responds to service and emergency calls(Police Department, 2012). The patrol operations are done in this area; jail, canine, fleet, The Patrol Operations division, is the largest division and the core of the Bloomington Police Department. This division is responsible for discovery of public hazards, preventive patrol activities and situations causing delinquency. The officers in this department are responsible for traffic enforcement, preliminary investigation of crimes, drug interdiction and DWI detection and apprehension (Police Department, 2012). . The officers are required to enforce all laws applicable and arrest those violating them. They also do paper work to document their actions and show up in court when needed to give assistance in their prosecution. The canine unit has five officers and their canine partners assigned to this specialized unit. The officers are appointed to patrol operations and deal with all aspects of normal patrol work, and are available for specialized works like conduct accident investigations, burglary alarms, direct and control traffic, perform crime prevention activities, searching for lost persons and community and public relations. New officers are given patrols as they first assignments. This division is the most visible to the public, and they respond to a wide range of calls. Patrol officers work for either 10 to 12 hours a day. Another unit is the investigative division; detectives have the responsibility to follow-up investigation of all criminal matters. This detective formulates and keep sources of intelligence data relating to criminal activity. They initiate investigations with the information they gather. They review all criminal activities reported within the town and correlate information as it may refer to start investigations. Because of the nature of duties, they work closely with other police agencies such as state, county and federal law enforcement agencies. They can also apply for and execute search warrants when necessary. These detectives are also responsible for storing and securing evidence relating to investigations and property found (Police Department, 2012). In addition, they perform other administrative tasks like ABC license investigations, police applicant background checks and firearms applications processing. The third department is support services, officers in this area are responsible for crime prevention and community projects including senior citizen call in and child seat belt safety. Other support services in this division include; police budget and ten-year statistics, facility management, record units, records management and dispatch center and communications The center of communication is an essential part of the department. Highly- trained personnel perform services for investigation, patrol, animal control and medical response. The unit of communication is a member of the LOGIS for computer aided dispatching. This division is also managing the facilities’ in the department (Police Department, 2012). There is also a Record unit which is responsible for a wide range of projects which include; maintaining, accurately processing and distributing records of the police that are sensitive and confidential data. Another task is completing referral cases to the Attorneys’ office for filing criminal complaints for considerations. Lastly, it is important in providing necessary services to patrol, administration and investigations to government and public in general through the main switchboard non-emergency line and front counter. Support service is also responsible for record management. LOGIS provides public agencies with technology solutions by the sharing of risks, ideas, cost and resources. Forth, there is a professional Standards Division investigates any allegations of police misconduct and through the Behaviors Board, assesses reports of important acts outstanding performance or bravery by members of the public or police department. This professional standard coordinates the hiring process with the man power department and carry out background inquires on candidates both police officer civilian employees’. Lastly Bloomington has patrol special operations unit this involves preparation of situations that are highly risky. This unit provides a variety of services to the community and residential areas. They are usually ready to spend whether a disaster is natural or man made. The unit evaluates critical areas and puts a strategic plan for handling possible disasters. This unit is responsible for coordinating relief efforts. The trained force and specialized equipment are ready to act in an emergency. The areas of this division are responsible for animal control, crime prevention unit, community service officers, emergency response, mall of America unit, critical infrastructure assessment, special events and volunteers (Police Department, 2012). The Community Service Officers Program was instituted in 2000, became an integral component of the department by releasing officers time so they are able to contribute to the community better. Those employed on a part time basis seek career as law enforcement officers and are actively working on licensing requirements. They duties include; prisoner meal preparation, distributing, transporting evidence to state agencies and assisting animal shelter among other needed miscellaneous duties. The emergency Response Unit (ERU) has four teams: Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team, Medical Support, Bomb Squad and the Hostage Negotiation Team. Members of this unit have regular assignments within the department when highly trained officers are required. Mall of America Unit works to provide secure and safe shopping experience to Mall visitors. They also develop partnership with businesses to keep a successful retail environment that is beneficial to the community of interest. Working with entrepreneurs’ on crime prevention by training and educating them on ways to keep out theft and heighten communication. Conclusion The police a significant role in law enforcement therefore there is a need for a well structure police departments. The structure of police departments is significant has it ensures better performances. First, they ensure enhanced control and coordination. Having organizational structures in the departments assure that different units work together and each unit is reaching its goals and objectives. Another benefit, taller structures provide members of the department promotion opportunities. When officers in a department are aware of promotion opportunities, they are motivated to work harder and efficiently. Needs are more likely to be accomplished when a department has a larger number of supervisory and command positions (Das, 2012). The structure of the police department is important in formulating organizational charts of order. References Das, D., & Otwin, M. (2012). Challenges of policing democracies: A world perspective.. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis. Dempsey, J. S. (1999). An introduction to policing (2nd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Pub.. Gaines, L. K., Southerland, M. D., & Angell, J. E. (2011). Police administration. New York: McGraw-Hill. Police Department. (n.d.). Welcome to the city of Bloomington, IN. Website. Retrieved from http://bloomington.in.gov/sections/viewSection.php?section_id=129 Samaha, J. (2005). Criminal justice (with Infotrac). S.l.: Wadsworth. Read More