Organizational Management and Operations Paper Essay

In this organizational management and operations paper the student will identify, compare, and contrast the policing function at the local, state, and federal organizational levels. The student will analyze how organizational, management, administration, and operational functions at these three organizational levels. The student will identify in what ways the different organizational levels are similar or different and why. Finally, the leadership characteristics and responsibilities pertaining to each organizational level will be identified. Local Law Enforcement There are many roles in which local law enforcement agencies take part in. The duties, functions, and responsibilities of local law enforcement agencies are broken down into many different roles. Local law enforcement agencies are in place to provide routine patrol of the communities within their jurisdictions. They provide emergency services, and uphold traffic enforcement laws. They conduct criminal investigations/planning and analysis. They provide detention for adults and juveniles, offer community services, crime prevention communications, community relations, and much more. State Law Enforcement State law enforcement consists of state police departments and highway patrol. State law enforcement is like a local or county police department, only with a much larger jurisdiction. State police departments usually have many specialized units, such as investigative branches, aviation units, and tactical teams. Highway Patrol Officers, on the other hand, usually are tasked with ensuring the safety of the roadways of the state. Many states also have additional specialized state agencies. Some states with highway  patrols have a separate state investigative agency. For instance, Florida’s FDLE conducts statewide investigations and assists local and county agencies with complex investigations of their own. One may think of this like a â€Å"state FBI.† Federal Law Enforcement There are two different types of federal agencies, uniformed agencies and investigative agencies (although some do both). They provide uniformed law enforcement services for a specific location, such as The White House, United States Capital, FBI Building, US Parks, Supreme Court, various federal buildings. The other main type of federal agency is the investigative agency. These agencies have an assigned section of the United States Code that they enforce. For example, the DEA deals with drug laws, and the Secret Service focuses on crimes involving currency. In addition to the common agencies, all federal departments have an Office of the Inspector General that employs criminal investigators to investigate fraud within the department. On the negative side, working for the federal government can mean that one is at their beck and call when concerning relocation. While obviously not a concern with some of the uniformed agencies, relocation can be a concern if one works for the more nat ionalized federal agencies. For the most part local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies share the same directives as well as support and oversee the same laws of the land. The only obvious differences that these three agencies have are their jurisdictions, resources, staffing, funding, budgets, support, and operations. In today’s society the roles and duties that are assigned to law enforcement will continue to change every day. Organizational Management In the early 1990s the New York Police Department (NYPD) was as â€Å"paralyzed† basically reluctant to act out of fear of making mistakes. As an organization the NYPD suffered with productivity from the officers up to and including the chief (Harvard Kennedy School, 2013). The crime reporting system used was extremely dated hence the creation of a new software system that analyzed crime data entered into a computer, which maintained statistics (COMPSTAT). This data was evaluated regularly, which offered commanders the ability to develop strategies for awareness, patrol, and  resource allocation, solving crimes, and quality of life improvement for the citizens in the jurisdiction. If the data is entered in COMPSAT properly, estimates of crimes can be made to include what type, times of day, and locations (Harvard Kennedy School, 2013). This valuable management tool allows chiefs, sheriffs, and commanders with a graphic representation of what is occurring in an area of responsibility, which will assist with organizational management. Developing awareness of when and where crimes are likely to be committed allows supervisors to allocate resources in those potentially affected areas to aid in crime reduction. This tool helps with long-term (proactive) planning by knowing how many patrols are needed in certain areas and what times they need to be present (Harvard Kennedy School, 2013). The COMPSTAT predictions also can be beneficial when projecting operational and functional budgets for the fiscal budget. The COMPSTAT data blended with actual crime reporting can justify resource allocation both for personnel and money. Finally the principles of COMPSTAT are only beneficial if the officers, patrols, and supervisors conduct follow-up assessments to ensure the desired results are actually achieved. COMPSTAT is a proven to ol for organizational management, but like any tool if not used properly it could be more harmful than valuable (Harvard Kennedy School, 2013). Administration and Operational Aspects Within any law enforcement agency, the administration section is a paramount tool. Some of the many duties that fall under the task of the administration section include training (includes sworn officers and civilians), computer systems, departmental forms, budgets, and records just to name a few (Police Administration Division, 2013). The responsibility of this section will usually lie in the hands of a Lieutenant or Sergeant who will answer to the Chief or Sheriff. The agency relies heavily on this section for up to date information. If there is a lapse in judgment or something is forgotten, it can have a drastic impact. For example, if records are not maintained properly, officers will have issues with they stop someone and run their information. That person could be wanted for murder and the officer would never know. Law enforcement is always expanding and looking to improve on how operations  are conducted. It is essential that the agency keeps an open mind and looks to make changes when needed. For example, if the agency hires a transfer from another department and that officer thinks there is a better way to handle a specific aspect of law enforcement, the agency should consider what that officer is saying. The department that the officer came from may have some technology or information that the new agency does not. Leadership Characteristics and Responsibilities The leadership characteristics and responsibilities at the different levels are very similar. Leaders are born, not made. The leadership traits are developed through education, training and hard work. Leaders inspire others by setting an example. They show others that they care and have compassion for those that they lead. Leaders accept the fact that mistakes happen and a part of the job. They prevail against the odds not letting the obstacles get in the way. A leader’s since of duty calls them toward quality not quantity. They believe in the people they lead. Effective leadership encompasses both tactical and technical proficiencies. Leaders do not forget where they came from, regardless of rank. Higher ranking officers have a unique responsibility to demonstrate leadership and this is their primary operational function. (Gonzalez, 2014) Conclusion With the onset of a new millennium, American police agencies face new challenges. The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon changed the way in which law enforcement collectively thinks about public safety and security. Priorities for training at all levels, equipment, strategies, and funding have transformed policing once again this time focusing on homeland security history of American police systems from the English heritage through the last years of the 20thcentury. A number of present-day issues have roots in different epochs of American history. For example, the idea of community policing is traced to the colonial period and to medieval England. Preventive patrol, legitimacy, authority, and professionalism are 18th and 19th century concepts. Riots, disorders, and corruption are not new to American policing, similar events occurred in the 19th century. Thus by virtue of studying history, this can give contextual  meaning to current police problems, ideas, and situations. Looking at the past, present-day events can be better understood. References Bechtel, H. K. (1995). State Police in the United States. Westport conn: Greenwood Press. Bryan Vila, C. M. (1994). Police in Contradiction: The Evolution of the Police Funtion in Society. Westport: Greenwood Press. Bryan Vila, C. M. (1999). The Role of Police in American Society. Westport: Greenwood Press. Gonzalez, R. (2014). 10 key qualities of law enforcement leaders. Retrieved April 20, 2014, from Police One.com: http://www.policeone.com/news/1204313-10-key-qualities-of-law-enforcement-leaders/ Harvard Kennedy School. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/awards.html?id=3716 Police Administration Division. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.mysanibel.com/Departments/Police-including-Emergency-Management/Police-Administrative-Division Roberts, D. J. (2013). Technology Is Playing an Expanding Role in Policing. The Police Chief, Retrieved from http://www.policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/index.cfm?fuseaction=display&issue_id=12011&category_ID=4 Uchida, C. D. (2004). Justice and Security Stratagies. Inc .