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Chapter 10
DISCIPLINE AND PROBLEM BEHAVIORS
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Chapter 10 Learning Objectives
After completing this chapter, students will know:
• How morale and discipline differ
• What the purpose of discipline is
• What a fundamental management right is
• What behavior problems managers must deal with
• What a primary rule for the timing of discipline is
• What should be considered when assessing penalties
• What steps progressive discipline usually involves
Chapter 10 Outline
Introduction
Discipline Defined
Positive, Constructive Self-Discipline
Chapter 10: Discipline and Problem Behaviors
Policy versus Discretion
Policies and Procedures Revisited
General Orders
Corruption
Insubordination
Sexual Harassment
Use of Excessive Force
Use-of-Force Continuums
Passive Resistance
Legal Considerations
Comprehensive Discipline
The Balance of Consequences Analysis—Wilson Learning Corporation
The PRICE Method
One-Minute Managing
Chapter 10 Summary
Discipline and morale are closely related. Morale is how a person feels; discipline is how
a person acts. The purpose of discipline is to promote desired behavior, which may be
done by encouraging acceptable behavior or punishing unacceptable behavior.
Maintaining discipline is a fundamental management right. An agency’s policy and
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needs and goals as well as to the needs and goals of other law enforcement personnel.
Difficult people include yes people, passives, avoiders, pessimists, complainers, know-it-
A primary rule of effective discipline is that it should be carried out as close to the time
of the violation as possible. The offense and offender, how the offense was committed
and the offender’s attitude and past performance are important considerations in
assigning penalties. Progressive discipline uses disciplinary steps based on the severity of
the offense. The steps are usually (1) oral reprimand, (2) written reprimand,
(3) suspension/demotion and (4) discharge/termination.
The balance of consequences analysis considers behavior in terms of what positive and
Chapter 10 Key Terms
appeal request for a decision to be reviewed by someone higher in the command
structure.
comprehensive discipline uses both positive and negative discipline to achieve
individual and organizational goals.
Chapter 10: Discipline and Problem Behaviors
gunnysack approach occurs when managers or supervisors accumulate negative
behaviors of a subordinate and then dump them all on the employee at the same time
rather than correcting them as they occur.
insubordination failure to obey a lawful and direct order from a supervisor.
passive resistance a form of civil disobedience reflecting a philosophy of
nonviolence; often used by protestors and demonstrators.
progressive discipline uses disciplinary steps based on the severity of the offense
and how often it is repeated; steps usually are oral reprimand, written reprimand,
suspension/demotion, discharge/termination.
Classroom Discussion Questions
1. When should human error result in dismissal? Explain your answer.
2. Do you think that supervisors should be held criminally as well as civilly
responsible for their subordinates’ actions?
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8. What behaviors would be severe enough violations to warrant termination?
9. What would be a constructive law enforcement department philosophy for discipline?
10. Are there too many departmental rules and regulations? Not enough? What are the
most important ones?
Student Activities
1. Ask a local police manager what types of positive and negative discipline he or
she frequently uses. Ask what role discretion should play in the application of
punishment. Who has the authority to exercise such discretion at your local police
department?
2. Select one of the following topics and find a recent article about it on the Internet:
• Progressive discipline
3. Look for recent media articles involving police misconduct on the Internet. As a
police supervisor, what would you choose as a method of dealing with the
misconduct?
Challenge Ten
The new Greenfield police chief has asked Captain Blair to review and update the policy
and procedure manual. The current manual is several inches thick, steeped in fine details,
and includes rules and procedures for nearly every circumstance. It was initially modeled
after a manual written in the 1960s for a large police department in another part of the
country.
Chapter 10: Discipline and Problem Behaviors
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Challenge Ten Questions and Suggested Answers
1. Do lengthy and detailed policy and procedure manuals enhance tight discipline?
No, usually just the opposite. Long, detailed manuals often end up collecting dust. It’s
not practical to try to control every aspect of an officer’s job with specific policies
2. Do lengthy and detailed policy and procedure manuals protect departments from
litigation?
No. An ignored policy and procedure manual is a great weapon for an attorney suing
3. What basic changes should Captain Blair consider if she rewrites the manual?
Captain Blair should write a manual that is based on the activities and philosophies of
the Greenfield Police Department and not a copy of another department’s manual.
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4. How should she change the tone or philosophy of the manual?
The old manual appears to be based on a crime-fighter policing model. Detailed
procedures for every potential action limit an officer’s creativity and stymie problem
solving. Procedures directing officers to face the front door in a restaurant and
approach traffic stops with a hand on their gun reflect an “us versus them”
philosophy. Routinely treating the public as the enemy fosters isolation and
5. What is a good strategy for gaining officers’ acceptance of a new manual?
Captain Blair should solicit input from the entire department. Policies and procedures
6. Should all policies and procedures be written with the same detail?
No. Some policies and procedures should be written in philosophical language
granting broad discretion. Others should be concise and detailed with no room for