NCJ Number
230437
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 79 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2010 Pages: 1-7
Date Published
April 2010
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article provides information on how to determine if sector policing is right for a particular law enforcement agency.
Abstract
Sector policing, also called geographic policing, is an innovative approach used by law enforcement agencies to increase their effectiveness and accountability. This article provides a framework that law enforcement agencies can use to determine if their agency would benefit from the use of sector policing. The article begins with a discussion on the differences between traditional policing based on a centralized authority with leadership functions concentrated at the top of the organization and sector policing which uses a divisional structure emphasizing decentralized command mechanisms. This is followed by a discussion of the planning process that needs to be implemented in order for an agency to determine if switching to sector policing would be beneficial for them. An in-depth assessment needs to be conducted to produce a realistic idea of the amount of organizational preparation needed to switch from traditional policing to sector policing. Once the assessment has been completed, the agency can begin the switch to sector policing through the use of short-term objectives, initiatives, and action plans that will be used to achieve its long-term strategic goals. 4 endnotes