5.2: Quasi-military
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Quasi-military
One way to generically describe the organization of most police departments is to say that they are much like how the military are organized. We call this similarity to the military “quasi-military”, meaning it is somewhat like the military but not exactly. There are several similarities with the military as described below.
Hierarchy
Similar to the military, most police departments are organized in a pyramid configuration, with one person at the top of the pyramid who is in charge and an expanding number of people at positions as we go down the pyramid all the way to the base of the pyramid where the basic patrol officers make up the largest number of personnel. Even the titles of the individuals within the ranks are similar to the military. For instance, starting at the bottom a department might have a corporal who is above the general line officers, above them might be a detective, above that a sergeant, then a lieutenant, then a captain, then a deputy chief, then the chief of police. Some departments have even more rank differentiations than this. The number of positions in the higher ranks is smaller than the number of positions of line officers resulting in the pyramid shape of hierarchy.
Image 5.1
Uniforms
As we noted in the history of our last chapter, most law enforcement officers now wear distinctive uniforms. Their uniforms will identify which department they are from for instance the local police department versus the County Sheriff’s office. The uniforms will also have insignia on them demonstrating the rank of the particular officer. In general, the more insignia such as chevron’s on a uniform, typically the higher the rank of the officer. Members of the military were wearing uniform and displaying rank before law enforcement picked up this practice.
Image 5.2
Ranking Office
As mentioned above, the rank of an officer is typically visible on the uniform but it is important to remember that this distinction in rank can also tell you who is in charge at any particular crime scene or in a particular circumstance. If a civilian has a concern or a complement against or for a particular officer, they can report this to the individual supervisor who will be someone higher in rank.
Divisions
Sometimes within a Police Department it is helpful to put groups of officers together, these groups are often referred to as divisions. Similar to the military, these divisions will have unique skill sets and purposes. For instance, in law enforcement the divisions may be various platoons or squads such as the bomb squad.
Image 5.3
Briefing
Again, similar to the military at the end and start of shifts or after any critical incident there are usually briefings and debriefings. Briefings typically provide the information needed to direct the deployed resources in an appropriate manner and toward the correct target or resolution. Debriefing of personnel after an incident can also be important in order to obtain further relevant available information in a timely manner.
Inspections
Though few people look forward to inspections, they can be an important part of maintaining order amongst individuals and their equipment and uniforms. Conducting inspections can make sure that personnel are in compliance with established policies and procedures. The purpose is to uncover potential problems and develop solutions within the agency before the problems reach proportions that would have a negative impact.
Chain of Command
Another important point to realize in any agency that has a pyramid administrative structure is that typically there is a lot of standard operating procedure (SOP). Standard procedures help ensure that important responsibilities and law enforcement activities are routinely followed and the action taken is done in a safe and professional manner. This hierarchy also typically means that orders come from the top and work their way down and that information, or requests, or complaints from the field are filtered through many levels before it reaches the top, if it ever does.