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POLICE LEADER LOOKS AT THE CHANGING NATURE OF POLICE ORGANIZATION

NCJ Number
13310
Author(s)
P V MURPHY; D S BROWN
Date Published
1973
Length
32 pages
Annotation
MONOGRAPH DESCRIBING POLICE ORGANIZATION FROM THE VANTAGE POINTS OF POLICE LEADERS, PATROLMAN, AND THE COMMUNITY, EMPHASIZING THE NEED FOR AND DIRECTION OF DESIRED CHANGE.
Abstract
THE CONCEPT OF ORGANIZATION IS DEVELOPED. THE STUDY ASKS WHAT IS ORGANIZATION, AND RESPONDS WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF FORMAL, INFORMAL, AND THE WORKING ORGANIZATION. SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A POLICE ORGANIZATION, SUCH AS ITS PARA-MILITARY NATURE, THE 'TRADITIONAL POLICE DEPARTMENT' AND THE CONFLICTS OF AUTHORITY AND CONTROL, AND THE FRUSTRATING PROFESSIONALIZATION MOVEMENT ARE ANALYZED. THE AUTHORS NOTE SIX MAJOR REQUIREMENTS OF POLICE ORGANIZATION, INCLUDING NO ORGANIZATIONAL ISOLATION, AN OPEN PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM, AND CONTINUING EDUCATION. THEY ALSO INDICATE FOURTEEN LEADING EXAMPLES OF ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE, SOME OF WHICH ARE IMPROVED COMMUNITY RELATIONS, 'MOD SQUAD' VARIATIONS, FAMILY DISTURBANCE UNITS, AND INCREASED USE OF WOMEN ON PATROL.