Discuss organization structure and its impact upon the Law Enforcement profession.
Justice Administration’s structure has a direct impact on law enforcement profession and the efficiency of the entire criminal justice system. There should be a clear objective and the department’s organization should strive to achieve that objective through supervision and management. The mission of the department, the mission’s relation to the organization directly impact law enforcement. The impact results in the role and responsibilities of law enforcement. Organizational structure is only as good as the administrators that are involved and the designation of jobs and duties that follow. An organization structure with strong administration has strong law enforcement and police officers enforcing the law. Every police department is managed by a chief of police and from there is organized into five bureaus. These five bureaus are the Administrative Services Bureau, Special Services Bureau, Patrol Bureau, Homeland Security and Investigations Bureau, Support Services Bureau. Depending on the department there could be additional units as well. Each bureau is divided into smaller divisions to operate each bureau. The Administrative Service Bureau has a personnel and development department, financial and contract management, police technology and technical support, planning and crime analysis, inspections, and equipment services. Special Services Bureau consists of Narcotics Division, general investigations, and youth and family support. The Patrol Bureau is the patrol officers. Homeland Security and Investigations Bureau are broke up into specific categories depending on the crime involved. The Support Services Bureau is divided by specific job functions and duties as well.
Peak, K. J. (2009). Justice Administration: Police, courts, corrections management. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.