Bureaucratic Policing Model
The bureaucratic policing model is a typical organizational structure in contemporary law enforcement agencies characterized by intense internal discipline and keen supervision. This model encompasses the division of labor and specialization, where different departments are assigned particular tasks. The police are also governed by a set of defined rules that determine how they conduct their operations both in and out of the organization. Moreover, the leadership structure in this model is hierarchical.
The model has been proved to be advantageous in various aspects. First, specialization and labor division promote expertise development and effectiveness as each department handles a specific category of crimes. This accords adequate time for investigation and analysis and thus encourages efficiency and effectiveness. Secondly, the hierarchical structure reduces any possible conflicts resulting from leadership positioning(Riccucci, Van Ryzin & Jackson, 2018). Each leader is entirely aware of their role in delegating and supervising operations in their respective departments, thus minimizing the possibilities of instructions and orders. Lastly, having defined rules to govern operations of the law enforcement officers helps maintain accuracy in the execution of tasks. It also helps to promote and maintain competence and discipline among law enforcers.
Despite having numerous merits, the bureaucratic model has its disadvantages. The disadvantage to police bureaucracy is that a lack of versatility characterizes this type of organization, ignorance of human needs, and a trend that causes red tape, such as excessive regulations, to discourage efficient solving problems (Riccucci, Van Ryzin & Jackson, 2018). Other studies have also found out that this model tends to lead to blockages in communication and fails to match individual capabilities. Police agencies have also identified issues that come as a result of bureaucratic model rigidity. The hierarchical structure tends to limit enough incentives to street police. Those with high levels of education and unique knowledge could be overruled in their supervisors’ choices with less competency and education, only due to the ranks.
References
Riccucci, N. M., Van Ryzin, G. G., & Jackson, K. (2018). Representative bureaucracy, race, and policing: A survey experiment. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 28(4), 506-518.