CHAPTER I: Basic Concepts and Principles

of Policing
Prepared by: Rico O. Soledad, RCrim

Introduction

“Man is by nature a political animal”, this how Aristotle- one of the greatest
philosopher in man’s history if not the greatest thinker in the field of politics and
governance summed up his view that the highest achievement of human endeavor was
to be a citizen of a polis or a small city-state (Microsoft Encarta 2005). Aristotle’s
assertion contributed much on the modern administration of government both national
and local governments.

Formal organization can scarcely be conceived of as a recent innovation.

Alexander the Great and Caesar used them to conquer; the pharaohs employed them
to build pyramids; the emperors of China constructed great irrigation systems with
them; and the first popes create an organization to deliver religion on a worldwide
basis. The extent to which contemporary America in an organizational society is such
that:

We are born in organizations, educated by organizations, and spend most of our

lives working for our organizations. We spend much of our time… playing and
praying in organization.

The basic rationale for the existence of organization is that they do those thing
that people are unwilling or unable to do alone.

In a city-state, there are elements, which are inevitable to every state even
today: people, territory, sovereignty, and government. People may mean one or more
nations. Microsoft Encarta define nation as a human community possessing a historic
territory, shared myths, symbols, and memories, a common and distinct culture, and
common laws and customs for the members. In politics, territory means governed
geographical area that is owned and controlled by a particular government or country.
Sovereignty on the other hand refers to freedom from outside interference and the
right to self-government. Finally, government stands for a group of people who have
the power to make and enforce laws for our country or area. Encarta describes
government as a political organization comprising the individuals and institutions
authorized to formulate public policies and conduct affairs of state. Government is
empowered to establish and regulate the interrelationships of people with the
community as a whole, and the dealings of the community with other entities.
Government applies in this sense both to the government of national states and its
subdivisions.

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 In the prevailing theory of political science, the function of government is to
secure the common welfare of the members of the social aggregate over which it
exercises control. In different historical epochs, government is to secure the common
welfare by various rudimentary; they arose directly from idea of right and wrong
common to the members of a social group and were enforced on individuals primarily
through group pressures. Among more highly organized peoples, governments
assumed institutional forms, they rested on defined legal basis, imposing penalties on
violators of the law and using force to establish themselves and discharge their
functions. In analysis, laws are needed for the governance of a state to attain political,
cultural and economic stability.

What is Law?

Law is defined as a rule of conduct or procedure recognized by a community

as binding by authority or the body or system of rules recognized by a community that
are enforceable by established process. Laws are serve a variety of functions. For
instance, Criminal Law defines crimes, treats of their nature and provides for their
punishment. Commercial Law encompasses conducts in the field of business, trading
and merchandizing. Special Laws are usually promulgated to cover cases or areas of
governance that are not usually stated in the existing laws.

What is Enforcement?

Enforcement means to compel obedience to a law, regulation, or command.

Laws are public futile if they are not properly obeyed and observed. Hence, every
state or government creates agents or agencies responsible for the enforcement of the
law.

What is Policing?

Policing is defined in two ways, according to the Microsoft Dictionary Tools,

First, is to ensure that law and order is maintained in particular area or event, using
the police or the military force; and second is to ensure that rules and procedures are
followed correctly in something or that something is implements as agreed. Hence,
policing is synonymous with the term law enforcement and these terms are used
interchangeably in this module.

What is Law Enforcement Agency?

Law Enforcement Agency or agent pertains to a person or organization

responsible for enforcing the laws, especially referring to the so-called police
organization. For instance, in the Philippines, there are various agencies involved in
law enforcement activities depending on the creation of such agency like Land
Transportation Office under the Department of Transportation and Communications
which is primarily designated to enforce the Land Traffic Code of the Philippines or
the law Republic Act. No. 4136.

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What is Administration?

In the field of governance, administration is the management of public affairs

or affairs of government. B.H. Richman and M. Copen defines administration as an
organizational process concerned with the implementation of objectives and plans and
internal operating efficiency. It often connotes bureaucratic structure and behavior,
relatively routine decision-making and maintenance of the internal status quo.

What is Law Enforcement Administration?

In view of the foregoing discussions, law enforcement administration can be

summed up as the process involved ensuring strict compliance, proper obedience of
laws and related statutes.
In the Philippines Law Enforcement Administration is primarily laid down in the
hands of the Philippine National Police- the main government agency for law
enforcement. It is both a national and a local police force that provides all law
enforcement services throughout the country. As you go on reading the chapters of
this module, you will find out and understand how it is being administered. You will
learn that its influence as a law enforcement agency is basically rooted from
traditional to modern system of administration.

Policing or law enforcement is commonly seen as the sole responsibility of the

government through its law enforcement agencies. However, today’s modern trend in
law enforcement requires the unselfish contribution of the community members to be
effective and efficient.

What is Police?

Police is a branch of the criminal justice system that has the specific
responsibility of maintaining law and order and combating crime within the society.
The duties almost invariably assigned to police departments in most democratic
nations are protection of life and property, preservation of the peace, prevention of
crime, detection and arrest of violators of law, enforcing the law, and safeguarding the
rights of individuals. In addition, the police control vehicular traffic, prevent and
suppress vice, and perform a variety of other functions.

The ideal role of the police in a democratic society like the Philippines can be
describe as “the police should be powerful but not oppressive; they should be efficient
but not officious; they should form an impartial force in the body politic, and yet be
subject to a degree of control by persons who are not required to be impartial and who
are themselves liable to police supervision”. The attainment of this ideal in inherent in
the thrust toward professionalization of police work.

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 Origin and Definition of the Word Police

The word “police” originated from the Greek word “Politeia” meaning
government of a city. It applied to civil officers and not necessarily policeman. The
Roman changed the word slightly to “Politia”. The French changed the word to
“Police” and applied it to that person who actually enforced the law. Thereafter, The
English and Americans borrowed the word from the French and used it to describe a
law enforcement officer. The terms which assimilated to the English and American
language were French in origin. The words “constable” and “patrol” are likewise
French.

POLICE is the agency of a community or government that is responsible for

enforcing the law, maintaining public order, and preventing and detecting
crime.

In the very broader sense, the term POLICE refers to the internal
organization or regulation of the state, the control and regulation of the
community or state through the exercise of the constitutional power of the
government.
In a narrow sense, POLICE denotes the constitutionally created agency
that exercises the power of the government concerning the maintenance of
tranquility, public order, peace, security of the persons and property and the
protection of public health and morale.
In a very restricted sense, POLICE refers to that organization of armed
men, which is actually an institution that is capable of exercising legally
mandated duties to enforce the law, maintain public order, and detect and
prevent crimes.

Policing can be understood as the act of protecting, regulating, or maintaining order

in a city or a country. (Webster)

Theories of Police Service

Fundamental theories of the police service

1. Continental Theory- Police officers are regarded as servants of higher
authorities and the people have little or no share in their law enforcement
duties, nor any direct connection with them. This is prevalent in continental
countries like France, Italy, and Spain where centralized government is the
dominant governmental structure.
2. Home-rule theory- Police officers are regarded as servants of the community
rather than the higher authorities. The effectiveness of the police in performing
their functions is dependent upon the express wishes of the people. This theory

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 supports that the policemen are civil employees whose primary duty is to
preserve the public peace and security. This is commonly practiced in
countries having decentralized governmental structure such as in England,
United States and other democratic countries like the Philippines.

Concepts of police service

1. Old Concept- police service is looked upon as merely repressive machinery.
This philosophy was supported by throwing more offenders and violators in
the jail rather than keeping them out of jail. This concept emphasized
punishment as the sole instrument of crime control. The yardstick or
measurement of police efficiency was the more number of arrests.
2. Modern Concept- police is considered as an organ of crime prevention. The
police have broadened activities including certain aspects of social service,
and its objective is the welfare of the individual as well as that of the society.
The yardstick or measurement of police efficiency here is the absence of
crime.

Police Objectives, Functions, and Activities

Police Objectives
a. to make sure there is an order in the community
b. to protect the lives and limbs of every member of the community
c. to protect the properties of the citizenry
d. to render appropriate assistance to other government office concerned

Basic Police Functions

a. Crime Prevention- this is a function of the police service which is directed in
eliminating or reducing the desire to commit crime.
b. Crime Control- it refers to the control or neutralization of criminal activity.
The key to crime control is proper enforcement of the provisions of the
Revised Penal Code and Special Laws governing criminal acts.
c. Regulations or Control of Non-Criminal Conduct- Police functions, which are
concerned with the maintenance of order by enforcing rules, regulations, and
ordinances, are all aimed at achieving a desired uniform standard of activity
among members of the society.

General Categories of Police Activities

a. Primary, Line or Operation Police Functions- These refer to activities such as
patrol work, traffic control/management, criminal investigation, and juvenile
and vice control. Sometimes, intelligence is classified as line function. The
accomplishment of these primary tasks should achieve the police activities.
b. Secondary, Auxiliary or Service Functions- these take charge of
transportation, communication, property supply, records, laboratory, and jail
or custody maintenance and identification. These tasks shall assist and

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 effectively support the primary tasks in the accomplishment of the police
objectives.
c. Administrative or Managerial Functions- these include personnel, intelligence,
inspection, planning activities, budgeting, training, and public relations. These
tasks should assist and effectively support the primary and secondary police
tasks in the attainment of the police activities.

The Police Organization

Organization Defined
It is a form of human association for the attainment of a goal or objective. It is
the identifying and grouping the work to be performed, defining and delegating
responsibility and authority establishing relationships for the purpose of enabling
people work effectively.

Police Organization Defined

Police organization is a group of trained personnel in the field of public safety
administration engaged in the achievement of goals and objectives that promotes the
maintenance of peace and order, protection of life and property, enforcement of the
laws and the prevention of crimes.

2 kinds of Police Organization

•Formal Organization- highly structured
•Informal Organization- without structures

The organization of the police force commonly requires the following organizational
units:

Functional Units
1. Bureau- the largest organic functional unit within a large department. It
comprises a number of divisions.
2. Divisions- a primary subdivision of a bureau.
3. Section- functional unit within a division that is necessary for specialization.
4. Unit- functional group within a section; or the smallest functional group with
an organization.

Territorial Units
1. Post- a fixed point or location to which an officer is assigned for duty such as
a designated desk or office or an intersection or crosswalk from traffic duty. It
is a spot location for general guard duty.
2. Route- a length of streets designated for patrol purposes. It is also called LINE
BEAT.
3. Beat- an area assigned for patrol purposes, whether foot or motorized.
4. Sector- an area containing two or more beats, routes, or posts.

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 5. District- a geographical subdivision of a city for patrol purposes, usually with
its own station.
6. Area- a section or territorial division of a large city each comprised of
designated districts.

Important Terminologies
1. Sworn Officers- all personnel of the police department who have oath and who
possess the power to arrest.
2. Superior Officer- one having supervisory responsibilities, either temporarily or
permanently, over officers of lower rank.
3. Commanding Officer- an officer who is in command of the department, a
bureau, a division, an area, or a district.
4. Ranking officer- the officer who has the more senior rank/higher rank in a
team or group
5. Length of service- the period of time that has elapsed since the oath of office
was administered. Previous active services may be included or added.
6. On duty- the period when an officer is actively engaged in the performance of
his duty.
7. Off duty- the nature of which the police officer is free from specific routine
duty.
8. Special duty- the police service, its nature, which requires that the officer be
excused from the performance of his active regular duty.
9. Leave of Absence- period, which an officer is excused from active duty by any
valid/acceptable reason, approved by higher authority
10. Sick leave- period which an officer is excused from active duty by reason of
illness or injury
11. Suspension- a consequence of an act which temporarily deprives an officer
from the privilege of performing his duties as a result of violating directives or
other departmental regulations.
12. Department Rules- rules established by department directors/supervisors to
control the conduct of the members of the police force.
13. Duty manual- describes the procedures and defines the duties of officers
assigned to specified post or position
14. Order- an instruction given by a ranking officer to a subordinate, either
a. General Order b. Special, or c. Personal
15. Report- usually written communication unless otherwise specifies to be verbal
reports; verbal reports should be confirmed by written communication.

Nature of Police Organization

The police department is truly a complex bureaucracy. It is mostly s multi-
level organization, organized in a form of a pyramid with the top-level administrator
being the chief of police. At the bottom level of the organization, one finds the
patrolman or line officer.
The patrol officer is the backbone of the police department. The lowest level worker
found in many, if not most, complex organizations who usually performs the routine,
repetitive kind of work necessary to keep the organization functioning.

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Types Police Organizational Structure
a. Line Type
The straight line organization, often called the individuals, military or departmental
type of organization, is the simplest and perhaps the oldest type; but it is seldom
encountered in its channels of authority and responsibility extent in a direct line from
top to bottom within the structures, authority is definite and absolute. Quick decisions
can be made in the line organization because of the direct lines authority and, because
of these direct lines, each member in the chain of command known to whom he is
clearly fixed, discipline is easily administered in this type of organization,
responsibility for making decisions is well identified, and singleness of purpose is
fostered.
b. Functional Type
The functional organization in its pure form is rarely found in present day
organizations, except at or near the top of the very large organizations. Unlike the line
type of structure, those establishments organized on a functional basis violate the
prime rule that men perform best when they have but one superior. The functional
responsibility of each “functional manager” is limited to the particular activity over
which he has control, regardless of who performs the function.
Coordination of effort in this type of organization becomes difficult since the
employees responsible for results may be subject to functional direction of several
persons. Discipline is difficult to administer because of this multi-headed leadership.
There may be considerable conflict among the functional administrators, resulting in
much confusion among line personnel. Line of authority and responsibility are
fragmented into many functional channels, making each supervisor responsible to
several superiors depending upon the function he happens to be performing.
c. Line and Staff Type
The Line and Staff organization is a combination of the line and functional types. It
combines staff specialist such as the criminalists, the training officers, the research
and development specialists, etc. Channels of responsibility is to “think and provide
expertise” for the line units. The line supervisor must remember that he obtains advice
from the staff specialists.
In normal operations, the staff supervisor has line commands but with recognized
limitations such as coordination between line and staff personnel can be achieved
without undue friction. Failure to recognize these line and staff relationship is the
greatest and most frequent source of friction and a barrier to effective coordination.
The advantage of this kind would be - it combines staff specialist or units with line
organization so that service of knowledge can be provided line personnel by
specialist.

Classification of Line, Staff and Auxiliary Function

Line Functions: Line functions are the “backbone” of the police department; they
include such operations as patrol, criminal investigation, and traffic control, as well as
supervision of the personnel performing those operations. Line functions are carried
out but “line members”, including the patrol officers, the detective, the sergeant, the
lieutenant, the captain, and the chief of police. Line members are responsible for:

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 a. Carrying out the major purposes of the police department.
b. Delivering the services provided by the department.
c. Dealing directly with the department’s clientele.
d. Making final decisions with respect to the activities they perform.

Staff Functions: Staff functions are those operations designed to support the line
functions. Staff members are necessarily advisors who are typically assigned to
planning, research, legal advice, budgeting, and educational services. Staff members
are often civilians with specialized training who serve within the department but do
not deal with daily operation on the street. Their main function is to study police
policies and practices and to offer proposals to the chief executive of the department.
Staff personnel tend to be:
a. Highly specialized.
b. Involved in an advisory capacity
c. Detached from the public
d. Not directly responsible for the decisions made by department executive.

Auxiliary Function: Auxiliary functions involve the logistical operations of the

department. These include training, communications, jailing, maintenance, record
keeping, motor vehicle, similar operations.

Elements of Police Organization

Specialization
The grouping of activities and segregation of line, staff, and auxiliary functions
are large-scale example of specialization within a bureaucratic organization.
Specialization of an individual is also important in all organizations, since it must be
expected that some members will know more, perform better and contribute more in
one area of activity than in others. Disparities in job ability among persons may be
result of physical attributes, mental aptitude, skills, interest education, training,
motivation, or adaption, among other factors.
Specialization Defined: specialization is the assignment of particular workers to
particular task. Thus, it can be thought of in terms of either jobs or people.

Specialization of jobs (areas of specialization) is the designation of certain activities

or tasks as ones that must be performed in a highly technological, scientific, or precise
matter.

Specialization of people (specialists) is the designation of particular persons as having

expertise in a specific area of work. Here, specialization signifies the adaptation of an
individual to the requirements go some technical tasks through training, conditioning
or extensive on-the-job experience.

Examples: Areas of police specialization include undercover works, crime

scene operations, legal advising, computer work, planning, community
relation, gang activities, or SWAT operations.

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Advantages of Specialization
Specialization within a police department can be advantageous in the following
ways:
a. It helps streamline the flow of work by removing or minimizing bottle neck
and work delays. Task are automatically assigned to specialists.
b. It enhances the quality of performance within the department, since jobs are
performed by those competent to handle them.
c. It helps get jobs faster.
d. It tends to reduce the cost of police service.
e. It motivates worker, improve their expertise, and creates greater job
satisfaction of department personnel.

Disadvantages of Specialized Departments

On the other hand, specialization may create or compound on the following
problems:
a. Specialist may develop a “status consciousness”- that is, they may become
aloof or snobbish in dealing with generalists within or outside the department.
b. Specialist may find it difficult to communicate with generalist due to a lack of
common terminology.
c. Specialist may become too isolated in their work, thereby losing sight of the
department’s overall goals and the work of other specialist with the
organization.
d. Specialist may invite undue competitiveness, nurture secretiveness, and even
lead to corruption inside the department.
e. Specialist may tend to resent strict discipline or close supervision, especially
by generalist who are their superior in the department.

Hierarchy of Authority
If all person within an organization were given the freedom to do what they
like (and to refuse to do what they dislike), there would be little likelihood of
accomplishment. Any collaborative effort such as that in a police department thus
requires a system of checks and controls on individual behavior. Hence, the
department must have a person or persons with authority to direct the actions of
workers and ensure compliance with standards in order to achieve the department’s
goal.
Hierarchy defined: A hierarchy represents the formal relationship among
superiors and subordinates in any given organization. It can be visualized as a ladder,
with each rung (or rank) representing a higher or lower level of authority.

Authority Defined: Authority is the right to command and control the behavior
of employees in lower positions within an organizational hierarchy. A hierarchy

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serves as the framework for the flow of authority downward (and obedience upward)
through the department.

Authority Roles: Authority within an organization must be viewed in terms of

prescribed roles rather than of individuals. A particular position within an
organization carries the same authority regardless of who occupies that position.
While the personality of the occupant may change the style or manner in which
authority is exercise, it should increase or decrease the basic obligations of the
occupant toward those in subordinate positions.

Example: The authority of a police chief stems from the role that a chief
executive must play- whether he or she is referred to as chief, superintendent,
commissioner, or some other title, and regardless the size or location of the
department he or she commands.

Span of Control
A span of control is the maximum number of subordinates at a given position
that superior can supervise effectively.
Because a large police organization necessarily must have more subordinates
than superiors, subordinate positions within a bureaucracy will outnumber supervisor
position. For this reason, organizational charts of police agencies look more like
pyramids. The chief controls from the top of the pyramid and the rank-and-file obey
from their varied positions spread along the base. It between, there is a hierarchy of
ranks that expands wider and wider as it descends toward the bottom of the pyramid.
The height of an organizational pyramid is a product of the hierarchy of supervisory
positions or ranks that exists, while width of the pyramids base is a product of the
organization’s staggered span of control.

Determining the Span of Control

Effective organization requires that only a manageable number of
subordinates be supervised by one person at any given time. This number will, of
course, vary- not only from one organization to another (depending on each
organization’s definition of “effective supervision”) but also within each
organization depending on the number of task and the size of personnel available
at a given time.

Relevant factors: Organization theory offers no magic formula for determining the
proper span of control within a police agency. Rather, the span of control for any
supervisory position may be determined on the basis of a number of variables
including:
1. The physical layout of the operation;
2. The complexity of the task;
3. Work conditions (normal, crises, etc.);
4. Educational and skill of the employees involved;
5. Leadership qualities of the supervisors;
6. The quality of the communication system among personnel;

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 7. The financial ability of the agency to hire more supervisors; and
8. The history and tradition of the agency in questions.

Example: While a patrol sergeant may be able to supervise 10 to 15 patrol officers

effectively in more departments, a SWAT sergeant is usually assigned five or
fewer subordinates.

Delegation of Authority
Delegation is the conferring of an amount of authority by a superior position
onto a lower-level position. The person to whom authority is delegated become
responsible to the superior for doing the assigned job. However, the delegators remain
accountable for accomplishment of the job within the guideline and quality standards
of the agency.
Maintaining control within the organization demands that authority be
delegated vertically throughout the organization’s pyramid, from the chief at the top
to the patrol officers at the bottom. Excessive delegation within a department
produces a tall organizational pyramid, while very limited delegation results in a short
pyramid with fewer levels of authority.
Need for delegation: Very small organization need virtually no delegation, for
example, a U.S Marshall or village constable ordinarily does not have to delegate
authority to anyone. However, when any organization outgrows the capacity for face-
to-face supervision, the chief executive must of necessity delegate some authority.
Larger organizations require still further delegation or “sub-delegation” of authority.
Compare “Accountability” As alluded to earlies, a delegation of authority does
not include a delegation of accountability. The latter cannot be delegated, since
accountability for “getting the job done” falls on the delegator and, ultimately, on the
chief executive of the agency. In other words, a chief of police must be fully
accountable to the local government (city, country) for the actions with the chief
would violate the basic notion of administrative responsibility.

Unity of Command
Traditional theories of organization insisted that each employee should have
only one supervisor or boss, and considered this principle of “unity of command” the
backbone of any organizational structure. Thus, a patrol officer for example, would
always receive orders from one sergeant and would always report to that same
sergeant. If the officer was instructed or advised by a detective, garage sergeant, or
any other administrator (with the possible exception of the chief), the officer is
expected to check with his or her sergeant before taking any action.

Rationale for Principle: Unity of Command as a guiding principle has been

defended on the following basis:
a. It strengthens control within the agency.
b. It helps determine responsibility for an action-especially when something goes
wrong.

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 c. It facilitates communication and reduces intra-agency conflicts by eliminating
contradictory orders.
d. It enhances supervision of control.

Formal Communication
Basically, communication is the process of sharing understanding and
information on common subjects. More precisely, it is an intercourse between,
through or more people by means of words, letters symbols, or gestures for the
purpose of exchanging information. Procedures, channels, and standardized languages
are essential to effective communication within such large organization.
While the eight elements previously discussed are crucial to any police organization,
they would remain fragmented without some means of integrating them into a
meaningful and practical whole. The integrating element is communication. Through
communication, personnel are kept informed of the objective of the organization, of
the means selected for achieving them, and of the information necessary for the
continuing operation of the department. Effective communication would ensure a
common understanding of department goals, policies, and procedure and this helps to
bind the agency together.

Principles of Police Organization

1. Principle of Unity of Objectives- an organization is effective if it enables the

individuals to contribute to the organization’s objectives.
2. Principle of Organizational Efficiency- organization structure is effective if it
is structured in such a way to aid the accomplishment of the organization’s
objectives with a minimum cost.
3. Scalar Principle-– shows the vertical hierarchy of the organization which
defines an unbroken chain of units from top to bottom describing explicitly the
flow of authority. The scalar principles are:
a. Line authority and chain of command- This principle of organization
suggests that communications should ordinarily go upward through
established channels in the hierarchy. Diverting orders, directives, or
reports around a level of command usually has disastrous effects on
efficiency of the organization.
b. Span of Control of a supervisor over personnel or units shall not mean
more than what he can effectively direct and coordinate. In span of
control, levels of authority shall be kept to a minimum.
c. Delegation of Authority- shall carry with its commensurate authority
and the person to whom the authority is delegated shall be held
accountable therefore. It implies that delegation must carry with it
appropriate responsibility.
d. Unity of Command- explains that subordinates should only be under
the control of one superior.

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 4. Functional Principle- refers to division of work according to type, place, time
and specialization.
5. Line and Staff- implies that a system of varied function arranged into a
workable pattern. The line organization is responsible for the direct
accomplishment of the objectives while the staff is responsible for support,
advisory or facilitative capacity.
6. Principle of Balance- states that the application of principles must be balanced
to ensure the effectiveness of the structure in meeting organization’s
objectives.
7. Principle of Delegation by Results- states that authority delegated should be
adequate to ensure the ability to accomplish expected results.
8. Principles of Absoluteness of Responsibility– explains that the responsibility
of the subordinates to their superior for performance is absolute and the
superior cannot escape responsibility for the organization on activities
performed by their subordinates.
9. Principle of Parity and Responsibility-– explains that responsibility for action
cannot be greater than that implied by the authority delegated nor should it be
less.
10. Authority level principle– implies that decisions within the authority of the
individual commander should be made by them and not be returned upward in
the organizational structure.
11. Principle of Flexibility- which means that the more flexible the organization,
the more it can fulfill its purpose.

Other Principle of Police Organization

Grouping of Similar Task

Task, similar or related in purpose, process, method, or clientele, should be
grouped together in one or more units under the control of one person. Whenever
practicable, every function of the police force shall be assigned to a unit.

According to Function- The force should be organized primarily according to

the nature of the basis to be performed. It should be divided into groups so that similar
and related duties may be assigned to each.

According to Time Frame- The elements are divided into many shifts or
watches according to the time of the day. This is the most primary form of police
organization. Any large functional unit can also be organized according to time if the
demand exists.

According to Place of Work- A territorial distribution of a platoon,

accomplished by assigning patrolman on beats, it is necessary to facilitate the
direction and control of the officers and to ensure suitable patrol service at every point
within the jurisdiction. Patrolman on street duty is usually under the supervision of a
patrol sergeant. When the number of patrolmen is great, it may be desirable to divide

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them into squads assigned to specific sectors of jurisdiction, with a sergeant in charge
of each squad.

According to Level of Authority- A police department is always divided

according to the level of authority. Example, there will be some patrolmen, sergeants,
some lieutenants, some captain, and so on. Vertical combinations of superior officers,
with each rank at a different level of authority from any other, from channels through
which operations may be directed and controlled can be adopted in certain cases to
ensure coordination.

Specialization Based on Need

Specialized units should be created only when overall departmental capability
us thus significantly increased. Specialization is a principle of organization which is
the result of the division of the force into separate units. The degree of specialization
is determined by the size and sophistication of the department and by the extent to
which unit has exclusive responsibility for the performance of each group of the
operational task.

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