Chapter 5 Flashcards
What happens when police functions are poorly defined and little to no authority is delegated?
Impossible to have accountability
also, personalities rather than principles take over the department
What do you need for good delegation of authority?
It to be in writing
Clearly defined and under what circumstances you can use it
What is the Authority-Level principle?
premise that authority exists within an organization at all levels and only decisions that cannot be made at a given level bc of lack of authority should be referred upwards for resolution
Is the authority-level principle easy or hard to put in effect?
hardest. weak / inept supervisors can be expected to avoid problems and therefore they increase
What is recommended for authority-level principle to help ensure sucess?
POs at all levels required to write regular reports on problems that they lack the authority to solve themselves
What else is chain of command referred to as?
scalar principle
clearer the line of authority, the more effective decision making and communication will be
What are the 3 levels of management?
Chief administrative level
command level
supervisory level
What is unity of command?
one subordinate reporting to one supervisor
What is span of control?
total number of subordinates reporting to a single superior officer
T/F The greater the degree of authority and responsibility that exists, the narrower the span of control?
True
What is grouping like functions?
functions that are similar should be grouped together organizationally.
They are similar when:
1) same level of authority is required for their execution
2) responsibility for them is executed at the same time and place
3) require same amount of training and/ or degree of skill to be performed
How had grouping functions changed over the years in policing?
emphasis on grouping by place (not time anymore) and geography
What effect does specialization / specialized units have regarding chain of command?
less effective communication device bc unit tend to work independently
Info becomes guarded “silo”
T/F Specialization of units tends to increase unit competition and negate over departmental adhesiveness
True
What is a policy?
guide to thinking rather than action
reflect purpose and philosophy of the organization
What are the 4 sources of organizational policy?
1) originated policy
2) appealed policy
3) implied policy
4) externally imposed policy
What is originated policy?
emanates from organization itself (usually in manual)
What is appealed policy?
f/ org . develops haphazardly as decisions are appealed or passed up the chain of command
What is implied policy?
derives f/ impression given rather than words of the organization
What is an externally imposed policy?
outside the org. (legislative bodies, courts, other governmental agencies, employee organizations) Community
In order for an organization to develop coherent policy, what must happen?
all 4 types must be consolidated
recommend community input here
What is the most confusing policy?
Appealed
What are procedures?
guides to action
What branch of the government is the police department?
executive
