Structure of a Police Department and Related Management Issues

At the top of the police department hierarchy sits the Police Chief. He or she sets the strategy and objectives for their agency oversees all the units in the department: Administrative, Patrol, Detective, and Special Ops. However, managing a police department is not like managing a finance department or even a fire department: the organizational culture of police can be most succinctly described as quasi-military, where hierarchy, loyalty, and order are preferred and maintained. Generally speaking, there is often resistance to civilian (meaning local government managers, in part) “interference” in police operations; police chiefs like to manage their department the way they see fit, which is not always necessarily how city hall wants things to be run. Of course, city hall does often get the final say in disputes, but managers should be aware that trying to change too much, too quickly could lead to serious resistance and resentment from the police department. Thus, it is crucial to form a relationship with the police chief and practice good observation and listening in your first few months on the job, as they will likely be resistant to too much change. Have a basic knowledge of the services your police department provides, be willing to step in when necessary, and do not be afraid to raise suggestions after a sufficient amount of time has passed, but ultimately you can usually trust your chief to manage his or her own employees effectively.