Chapter 8- Police Administration

Question 1

Explain what planning is expected to accomplish:

Answer 1

1. improve the analysis of problems
2. provide better information for decision making
3. help to clarify goals, objectives, and priorities
4. result in more effective allocation of resources
5. improve inter and intradepartmental co operation and coordination
6. improve the performance of programs
7. give the police department a clear sense of direction
8. provide the opportunity for greater public support
9. increase the commitment of personnel.

Question 2

Define what a plan is:

Answer 2

planning involves linking present actions with future conditions

Question 3

Synoptic planning:

Answer 3

is based on “pure” or “objective” rationality and attempts to ensure optimal achievement of desired goals from a given situation.

Question 4

Identify the specific elements of administrative, procedural, operational, tactical, and strategic plans:

Answer 4

Administrative plans cover a variety of topics, including the agency’s goals, policies, organizational structure, line of command, and allocation of resources.

Procedural plans are the guidelines for the action to be taken under specific circumstances and detail such matters as how physical evidence is to be sent or transported to the crime lab.

Operational plans are the work programs of the line units (such as patrol and detectives) of the need for services.

Tactical plans involve planning for emergencies of a specific nature at known locations (i.e. hostage-taking situations at a prison).

Question 5

Planning can be expected to accomplish the following (9):

Answer 5

Planning can be expected to accomplish the following: 1) Improve the analysis of problems; 2) provide better information for decision making; 3) help to clarify goals, objectives, and priorities; 4) result in more effective allocation of resources; 5) improve inter- and intradepartmental cooperation and coordination; 6) improve the performance of programs; 7) give the police department a clear sense of direction; 8) provide the opportunity for greater public support; and 9) increase the commitment of personnel.

Question 6

Simon’s concept of “bounded rationality”

Answer 6

nothing that human beings are “bounded” by a triangle of limitations, Simon said, “On one side, the individual is limited by those skills, habits, and reflexes which are no longer in the realm of the conscious….and on a second side, the individual is limited by his values and those conceptions of purpose which induce him in making decisions…and on a third side, the individual is limited by the extent of his knowledge that is relevant to his job.

Question 7

Explain Lindblom’s incremental decision making:

Answer 7

Lindblom argues that the decision-making process is so complex and so fragmented among competing interests that rationality can only have a marginal effect. Decisions are made in a series, as decision-makers grope along an unclear path where ends and means are not distinct. Thus, Lindblom concludes that managers make decisions incrementally rather than analytically as the “muddle” their way through problems.

Question 8

Gore’s decision making process:

Answer 8

Decision among is basically an emotional, non rational, high personalized, and subjective process. Therefore, the facts validating a decision are internal to the personality of the individual instead of external to it.

Question 9

Explain the concept of the thin slicing theory:

Answer 9

It occurs in situations where snap decisions are required, whether by a police administrator, a line officer, or anyone else in a decision- making capacity; instantaneous decisions can often be the best, particularly when paired with training and expertise.

Question 10

State the advantages of group decision making

Answer 10

1. Social pressure
2. Individual domination
3. Conflicting secondary goals: winning the argument
4. Groupthink

Question 11

Explain the concept of brainstorming:

Answer 11

type of group decision making developed initially in advertising to help trigger creativity.