Criminal Justice Organizations

Reflection of Criminal Justice Organizations
Mike Baker
Western State University

Organizational conflict is present throughout each level of the criminal justice system. Conflict occurs in various stages and may be caused by miss-management or disagreements among workers. Understanding the types and causes of organizational conflict will assist leaders in an effective conflict management program. The ability to make sound decisions help manage conflict and are a critical aspect for ensuring the survivability of criminal justice organizations. Decision making is present throughout each step of the criminal justice system, many lives are affected at each step. Decisions made within one criminal justice agency may influence another agency.   Examples are legislative decisions, arrest decisions, and decisions made in the court system. Workers at all levels must try to understand how decisions are made and what mostly influences them. Sound decisions contribute to the effectiveness of the criminal justice organization. Defining organizational effectiveness is challenging due to its complexity. Leaders of organizations may develop non-conflicting goals to achieve a more effective organization.   Each type of criminal justice agency measures its effectiveness differently, measurement depends upon the goals and vision of the organization.   To be effective, criminal justice agencies must understand change is necessary. Innovation, technology, legislation and leaders influence change. Change may create conflict internally and externally across organizations. Resistance may occur and leaders must understand how to overcome the resistance.            
Conflict in criminal justice organizations occur at the individual and organizational levels.   Conflict occurring between workers may be influenced by personality conflicts through disagreements in decisions or beliefs. Differing perceptions of goals and objectives of an organization cause conflict. Personal conflict...