CHAPTER 2: THE ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE OF AMERICAN
POLICING
TRUE/FALSE
1. The traditional organization of American law enforcement was greatly influenced by Sir Henry
Fielding.
a. True
b. False
2. The traditional law enforcement organizational design is that of a pyramid-shaped hierarchy based on a
military model.
a. True
b. False
3. Field operations’ main division is the criminal investigations division.
a. True
b. False
4. Specialization can enhance a department’s effectiveness and efficiency, but overspecialization can
impede the organizational purpose.
a. True
b. False
5. Managers should recognize the informal organization that exists within any law enforcement agency.
a. True
b. False
6. Small agencies perceive their risk of a terrorist attack to be high.
a. True
b. False
7. Community policing is different from traditional policing.
a. True
b. False
8. Partnerships are a cornerstone of community policing.
a. True
b. False
9. Problem solving requires police to group incidents as a way to identify underlying causes of problems
in the community.
a. True
b. False
10. CompStat is a quick-fix answer to crime.
a. True
b. False
11. The 3-I model of intelligence-led policing consists of interpreting the criminal environment,
influencing decision makers, and impacting the criminal environment.
a. True
b. False
12. Evidence-based policing must report successes and failures to reach its full potential.
a. True
b. False
13. Administrative services, which are usually centralized, include recruitment and training, records and
communications, planning and research, and technical services.
a. True
b. False
14. The larger the agency and the jurisdiction it serves, the more complex the organization and the chart
depicting it.
a. True
b. False
15. Law enforcement agencies are not facing the need for change to meet the competition of private
policing because private policing in not available everywhere.
a. True
b. False
MULTIPLE CHOICE
16. An artificial structure created to coordinate either people or groups and resources to achieve a mission
or goal is known as a(n) __________.
a.
department
b.
institution
c.
organization
d.
hierarchy
17. Who is known as the father of modern policing?
a.
Sir Henry Fielding
b.
O. W. Wilson
c.
August Vollmer
d.
Sir Robert Peel
18. In early law enforcement, the most common assignment was __________.
a.
foot patrol
b.
investigations
c.
prisoner security
d.
special operations
19. A clear statement of mission, goals, objectives and values; a division of labor among specialists; a
rational organization or design; and a hierarchy of authority and responsibility are elements of
__________.
a.
field services
b.
formal organization
c.
channels of communication
d.
flat organization
20. The order of authority is known as the __________.
a.
hierarchical structure
b.
ladder
c.
chain of command
d.
span of control
21. The official paths through which orders flow from management to personnel who carry out the orders
are known as __________.
a.
channels of communication
b.
span of control
c.
chain of command
d.
unity of command
22. When every member in an organization has only one supervisor, this is called __________.
a.
span of control
b.
chain of command
c.
unity of command
d.
flat organization
23. An organization with fewer lieutenants and captains, fewer staff departments, fewer staff assistants,
more sergeants, and more patrol officers is known as a __________.
a.
hierarchal organization
b.
small organization
c.
unified organization
d.
flat organization
24. This type generally refers to a department’s organizational structure and operations: It encourages
flattening of the organization and places decision making at the level where information is plentiful,
usually at the level of the patrol officer __________.
a.
decentralization
b.
centralization
c.
flat organizations
d.
span of control
25. All are broad strategic or organizational approaches currently operating in contemporary policing
except __________.
a.
community policing
b.
traditional policing
c.
problem-solving policing
d.
CompStat policing
26. The philosophy that promotes “organization strategies, which supports the systematic use of
partnership and problem solving techniques to proactively address the immediate conditions that give
rise to public safety issues, such as crime, social disorder and fear of crime” is __________.
a.
problem-oriented policing
b.
traditional policing
c.
CompStat policing
d.
community policing
27. Social psychologists and police officers tend to agree that if a window in a building is broken and is
left unrepaired, all the rest of the windows will soon be broken. This theory is known as the
__________.
a.
broken-window theory
b.
deteriorated neighborhood theory
c.
sequence of events theory
d.
differential association theory
28. Traditional policing is __________.
a.
proactive
b.
reactive
c.
neither proactive or reactive
d.
both proactive and reactive
29. This type of policing focuses on determining the underlying causes of crime, fear of crime, and
disorder and identifying solutions __________.
a.
proactive
b.
community
c.
reactive
d.
problem-solving
30. The combination of problem-solving policing and aggressive patrol is __________.
a.
target enforcement
b.
goal oriented policing
c.
integrated patrol
d.
CompStat policing
COMPLETION
31. A(n) ___________ is an artificial structure created to coordinate either people or groups and resources
to achieve a mission or goal.
32. The _________________ is put together by design and rational plan.
33. Field operations’ main division is the __________________.
34. The order of authority in an organization in referred to as its _____________________.
35. ____________________ are the official paths through which orders flow from management to
personnel who carry out the orders.
36. The _______________ operates without official sanctions, but it influences the agency’s performance.
37. The emerging law enforcement agency has a ______________, is decentralized, and empowers its
employees.
38. In _______________ various features of an organization may be altered, but the core framework is
untouched.
39. _______________ is a philosophy that promotes “organization strategies, which supports the
systematic use of partnership and problem-solving techniques to proactively address the immediate
conditions that give rise to public safety issues, such as crime, social disorder and fear of crime.”
40. The _____________ suggests that if it appears “no one cares,” disorder and crime will thrive.
MATCHING
Match each statement to the item listed below
a.
pyramid of authority
f.
chain of command
b.
hierarchy
g.
channels of communication
c.
field services
h.
unity of command
d.
line personnel
i.
span of control
e.
administrative services
j.
flat organization
41. directly help accomplish the goals of the department using line personnel
42. supports those performing field services; includes recruitment and training, records and
communication, planning and research and technical services
43. how messages are conveyed; usually follow the chain of command
44. the shape of the typical law enforcement hierarchy, with the chief at the peak and having full authority,
down through managers (captains and lieutenants) and supervisors (sergeants), to those who
accomplish most of the tasks (officers)
45. the order of authority; begins at the top of the pyramid and flows down to the base
46. means that every individual in the organization has only one immediate superior or supervisor
47. how many people one individual manages or supervises
48. a group of people organized or classified by rank and authority
49. one with fewer lieutenants and captains, fewer staff departments, fewer staff assistants, more
sergeants, and more patrol officers
50. those who actually perform most of the tasks outlined in the work plan
ESSAY
51. Discuss how the division of labor is divided in a law enforcement agency. Discuss any specific area in
which duties may and do overlap one another.
52. Discuss the broken-window theory and how it has affected law enforcement decisions in communities.
53. Describe what CompStat is and its usefulness in a law enforcement organization.
54. Discuss intelligence-led policing and describe the benefits and downfalls of this type of policing.
55. Describe how traditional policing and community policing differ and the benefits and disadvantages of
each.