NCJ Number
9399
Journal
American Behavioral Scientist Volume: 16 Issue: 3 Dated: (JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 1973) Pages: 326-342
Date Published
1973
Length
17 pages
Annotation
BASIC CHANGES IN THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF POLICE DEPARTMENTS WHICH OCCUR DURING CIVIL DISTURBANCES AND PROBLEMS AND CONFLICTS PRODUCED BY THESE ALTERATIONS.
Abstract
THE NORMAL OPERATIONS OF THE TYPICAL POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE DESCRIBED AS INVOLVING THREE CRUCIAL ELEMENTSAUTONOMOUS, INDEPENDENT ACTION BY OPERATIONS PERSONNEL, THE EXPECTATION THAT MINIMUM FORCE WILL BE UTILIZED IN ARREST SITUATIONS, AND TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE IN INDIVIDUAL AND SMALL GROUP CONFRONTATIONS. CIVIL DISTURBANCES REQUIRE POLICE DEPARTMENTS TO ADOPT A MILITARY MODEL, CREATING STRESSES WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION AND IN RELATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES. FOR EXAMPLE, THE INDIVIDUAL OFFICER IS FACED WITH CONFLICT BETWEEN HIS NORMAL AUTONOMOUS ROLE AND THE REQUIREMENT TO STRICTLY FOLLOW UNIT DIRECTIVES DURING RIOTS. CONFLICTS OVER AUTHORITY ARISE WITH FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND NATIONAL GUARD UNITS. CHANGES IN THE SOCIAL CONTROL ACTIVITIES OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE PRODUCED BY ADHERENCE TO THE MILITARY MODEL. MANY OF THE PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED BY POLICE DURING DISTURBANCES STEM FROM ORGANIZATIONAL ALTERATIONS.