Organizational Change in Policing - Essay Example

FINAL ORDER 222894 TOPIC: ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES AND THE FUTURE IN POLICING Introduction Since the inception of human society, crime has been a common phenomenon. There is hardly any society, which is not beset with the problem of crime. It is a necessary feature of every society as it is the fundamental notion of social organisation.In order to prevent the crimes and criminals; states have introduced the police system. "The police have a very important role to play in a democratic society (Paranjape, 2005)i". They are primarily concerned with the maintenance of law and order and security of person and property of individuals. Due to the continuous changes in our lives and becoming it more critical, redesigning the police force through organizational changes are urgently required. Role of Police The police should always keep their role as the custodian of people. "Generally, with the expansion of complexities in the societal life, the public has gradually abdicated its role in peacekeeping and law enforcement and increasingly expected police to take on these responsibilities, which were once a citizen's civic duty (JOHN HOWARD SOCIETY)ii". Again, "Law enforcement agencies are in an era of change. The needs of communities and constituencies, rapid technological growth and enhancements, and the changing capabilities and structures of law enforcement organizations demand that agencies regularly examine and improve their ways of operation (Sewell, 2002)iii". It is clear that the sole duty of police personnel is to protect the lives and property of people. Essence of Organizational change Experts have been divided into two blocks since some propound that there is no needs of organizational changes while others advocate the sheer necessity of it. It is commendable that a particular system working once well may not be the same at the subsequent period. Thus, the organizational structure fit for a particular time may not suit the changed circumstances. Again, the overall situation is becoming more complex with the changing circumstances as including the rigid organizational structure. Complexities in the police organizations impede the well functioning in it. "A 1983 study that a surprise number of police officers have begun to voice strong objections to the rigid organizational structure and autocratic style management styles that typifies so much of law enforcement (Tafoya)iv". Manifold crimes, such as cyber crimes, cross-border crimes etc. are taking place. Commendably, the traditional method of policing cannot properly address the challenges of the present context. The existing mechanism of policing does not serve the purpose of making the police responsive to the public demand. The system also not contributes to create innovation among the officers, which is necessary for earning perfection in the profession. Again, the philosophical difference among the officers is another impediment in implementing better policing. Earlier, the law administrators and the officers were accustomed to the concept of coercion in the law enforcement activities while the law enforcement officers entering in the recent days do not comply with the rigorous principle of order or command. So, a conflict arises between the law enforcement personnel as well as the law administrators causing maladjustment in preserving the discipline among the officers. However, for the better sake of people, in curbing these crimes traditional mechanism of crime prevention in most countries has not been changed. Thus, organizational change has mostly been expected in the modern policing. Of course, there are certain consequences of organizational changes. The consequences may be that the current societal expectation does not suit with the changes. Thus, the society would be pressed with anarchy and injustices. Organizational changes are sure to affect both the organization and the members of it. However, the policies and strategies in the policing of the coming days warrant changes for radically experiencing the organizational change management in ensuring the efficient policing and successfully combating the criminalities that are taking place around the globe. Therefore, the global context of maintaining the peace and security has made people attentive in taking decision for the organizational changes in the police administration. The expectation of the global community is on the continuous rise for improving the quality and standard of their lives through the adoption of effective and challenging policing. Thus, a dynamic mechanism in the police administration through organizational changes is essential Rationale of Organizational Change The global trend of organizational transformation in policing has a much significant consideration. It is necessary for properly evaluating the justifiability of policing and determining the potential risks and prospects in the police administration. The organizational changes in the police administration are taking place due to some contributing factors. Such changes represent the societal expectation from the police service. The functions of police include protection of lives and property of people and ensuring the social stability through preserving the law and order situation. However, the police are supposed to pay their due regard. But, unfortunately, the police forces in the countries are not so sincere as they should be. It is strongly alleged that the police are not so much responsible in paying attention to their duties. If it is on the continuous way, the ultimate consequence would certainly be a catastrophic one. "Analyses have shown that police did not pay enough attention to the relations with the public(Gorenak, 1996)v". For the performance of these duties, a solid organizational basement is necessarily required. Thus, in the changed socio-economic context, organizational changes are so necessary for better policing in the countries. The repressive approach of the officers to dominate the junior officers is the reason to cause disaffection in the force. Due to the autocratic management, many officers are frequently leaving their job from the service. As a result, the force is losing many talented law enforcement personnel. The ultimate consequence of this would be that the force is not so active or much incapable in fulfilling the public expectation. Recommendations and Concluding Remarks Due to the touch of technological advancement and the growing development in every aspect, human life is becoming more complex. Relevantly, as there are much to talk that tomorrow's human life would be more complicated, organizational changes in the policing are predominantly necessary. On the face of the above discussion, it is very much transparent that developing a better policing for coping with the changing situation and gaining the public trust, changes in the police organization is essential. Undeniably, the organizational basis should be well structured and dynamic. It is right to conclude that for procuring a better output in future policing, developing the communication techniques and involvement of the personnel in the decision making process should be ensured. A well-constructed policing framework through organizational changes can successfully change the dimension of police force. But, the deficiency of management knowledge is another barrier as the organization managers lack analytical power in their duties and responsibilities. The regards to social values, depth of knowledge as including the scientific knowledge and expertise can help building a successful organizational change management in the police force. Hence, it is clear that the organizational changes in the policing should be implemented in accordance with the demand of the community expectation and the experiences earned through this program. Thus, it can be decided that the law enforcement practices of the past and even of the present would not adjust the law enforcement initiatives of tomorrow. The law administrators must take an analytical approach regarding their duties and responsibilities since the application of earlier practices in law enforcement is sure to make a haphazard condition in the law enforcement organization. Hence, it is strongly recommended that in order to earn an aspiring change, policing in tomorrow greatly expect further organizational changes. In organizational changes for policing, following means should be adopted. It is sure to say that through the effective implementation of these pathways, organizational changes can generate an outstanding output. However, in order to introduce effective organizational changes following considerations need to be followed: Only using force does not mean the reduction of crime rates, rather proactive approach towards the criminals can effectively mitigate the crime rates. The organizational change should be made in such a way so that an aspiring change in the policing is introduced. Otherwise, the complex societal condition of coming days would not be able to make a working change and facilitates people of thee society in getting peace and comfort. "Creating responsive and effective police organizations will require organizational changes that demand more than quick adaptations and limited structural changes(Vito, Maahs & Holmes, 2006)vi" The processes of organizational changes depend upon the concrete legislation of a given society. Without proper planning with practical flavor, the programmatic activities of organizational changes cannot take a dynamic shape. Hence, in this consideration, it is urgently required to take appropriate means. As the responsibilities of the police administration is principled on protecting the public safety and the protection of the national sovereignty, the following considerations worth due emphasis in making the sound organizational changes in the police administration. Developing a mechanism for effectively coordinating the activities of the police administration so that the personnel concerned in the police administration can be made accountable for their assigned duties. This accountability would certainly bring a working change in enhancing the performance capabilities and ensuring the professional excellence. There should be a central body, which would be responsible to oversee the activities of the police force whether they are performing their responsibilities properly and help in the crime prevention. The body would also be responsible for detecting the crimes and criminals with the help of the sophisticated scientific knowledge and means. It would also detect the social causes of committing crimes. In addition, a separate mechanism should be established which would be entrusted with the responsibility for the formation of a committee to ensure the stability in public life. For this, the committee would also be responsible for overseeing the road safety or traffic control rules are rightly followed. Additionally, this separate body would investigate the causes and consequences of cross-border crimes and accordingly recommend the means of mitigating them. For the efficient management, several teams and committees need to be formed for the effective operation of the police organizations as including administration, general, traffic, detective, cross-border, crime unit and the scientific or technological teams. Before initiating the undertaking of organizational changes, proper planning and working mechanism should be developed in accordance with the consultation of the experts. The officers employed in the service should develop their philosophy for the organizational changes in the changed circumstances giving a sophisticated shape in it. In another words, the personnel should be more engaged in changing and developing their knowledge and mentality with a view to gaining expertise and professional excellence for the demonstration of better performances in the services. In order to accomplish this purpose, the personnel should be motivated to apprehend the necessity of improved planning and at the same time, proper implementation of them is necessary for increasing the performance capabilities. The effects of organizational changes, feasibility and success due to the intended effort should be foreseen and evaluated. Much logically, an intensive study can also be made over the countries that have already undertaken such programs and experienced the consequences, merits, demerits of such changes. The findings obtained from such attempt would help in reaping benefits on the intended program for the organizational changes in policing.The consideration of the relevant facts in determining the issues as noted above, the cost benefit analysis should also sparingly be decided. This attempt would widely facilitate in drawing the true dividend of the organizational changes. "Effective learning will influence the learner's cognitive (thinking) structures, attitudes, feelings, values, perceptions, and behavioral patterns (Lumb)vii". A congenial learning environment should be installed, as without ensuring a learning environment, no commendable achievement is possible in the process of organizational changes. This would enable the personnel to properly evaluate everything concerned and imbue in applying their practical experiences. In so doing, they would be interested in learning the success stories of other countries experienced in the past and in the present context as well. The learning initiative through this means would last for a significant period and help accruing a substantial benefit for the organizational changes and the generating outcome through this would be an added advantage. More importantly, the learning process would greatly assist in applying the new ideas, concepts and exploring the new techniques and means to better their professional efficiencies. Thus, the generation of innovation among the officials would help for the capacity building of the police personnel and obtaining outstanding performances of them. The introduction of scientific knowledge and application of modern technology is essential for bringing a healthy change in the police officials. In addition, administrative reforms with particular emphasis on human relation or interactions with mass people and the effort of bridging the relation in a new mode. In fact, the practical application of scientific and technological advancement should be ensured. Without proper training, professional expertise cannot be achieved. Along with a congenial learning environment, training programs should also be addressed. Such program should be arranged in a way so that the organizational change management can be deemed effective. Attempts should also be exerted in matters associated with the increasing professional acumen. The accountability of their responsibilities should be ensured. This would expedite the efficiencies and organizational success. Planning and decision-making should be proper and much practical. The commitments for organizational changes need to be fulfilled. The officials should be made responsible in keeping contribution for the implementation of the organizational commitment. The experienced officers should play more active role in designing the programs for the effective law enforcement. They should coordinate the younger officers in raising their skills, which would otherwise carry a significant result in organizational changes. Active involvement of all the officers should be ensured. This system would bring a paradigm-breaking change. Because, the officers would assist developing the system by giving their ideas, suggestions and help exploring the potentials of gradual advancement of the organizations. The accepted social values and norms have a significant standpoint in a given society. The criminalities in a given society should be considered as per the social values and norms of that given society. These also make the team works effective and successful. "Validated values and shared experiences allow the groups to become energized and committed to examine the future with a sense of common cause and optimism(Gray, Michael & Lovrich, 2006)viii". The implication of social values should be injected into the police personnel. Because, as police personnel are to closely deal with the people, they must have regards to the dignity of the people through the observation of social values and norms. Otherwise, all the efforts would be meaningless. Effective law enforcement can successfully bring a working change in the society. To this end, there should be a system for the closer examination of policies from an objective point of view. At the same time, participation of people from all the quarters should be ensured, as the laws framed should have the adaptability in a given society. The ideal policing as expected in the present context may be termed as the democratic policing. "Traditional methods of police management emerged from two sources: a militaristic view of policing, and management concepts from the private sector that were established in the beginning of the twentieth century(Net Industries, 2008)ix". In the present context, the democratic form of policing replacing militaristic approach is essential. In so doing, change should be made in decision-making process through the involvement of mass people to obtain the valuable ideas and suggestions. Again, for the effective administration, decentralization should be introduced. In the changed circumstance, a timely approach is needed in police organization. "The new paradigm of policing requires a completely different approach to police organization. The central themes of decentralization, citizen oversight and community involvement dictate a drastic change not only in organizational design and structure, but also in police subculture and values(Adlam & Villiers, 2003)x". This would afford people getting the true benefit of the philosophy of policing, i.e. safer protection of lives and property. The modern policing in police organizations requires the innovation and commitment to the professional responsibilities. Therefore, the police personnel should be aimed at representing their profession with the notion of doing best public service. The police leaders should be highly motivated in bringing changes in accordance with the principles of police ethics. All the activities should be conducted on team basis and the team leader is required to be a competent and experienced one. As the change is inevitable in the society, police organizations are required to be well -equipped and much sophisticated to face the challenges of the changes. REFERENCES Adlam, Robert., & Villiers, Peter. (2003). Police Leadership in the Twenty-first Century: Philosophy, Doctrine, and Developments. Waterside Press. p. 166. Retrieved April 29, 2008 from WWW. books.google.com.bd/booksisbn=1872870244. Gorenak, Vinko. (1996). POLICING IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: Comparing Firsthand Knowledge with Experience from the West. College of Police and Security Studies, SLOVENIA. Retrieved April 29, from http://www.ncjrs.gov/policing/org229.htm. Gray, Kelsey., Erp, J., Michael. & Lovrich, P., Nicholas. (2006, March 4). Appreciative Inquiry: Overcoming Barriers to Change in Police Organizations. Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. A paper presented at 2006 Annual Conference held in Baltimore Waterfront Hotel, Maryland. Retrieved April 29, 2008 from http://www.spokane.wsu.edu/ResearchOutreach/WRICOPS/documents/AI%20paper%202006.pdf . JOHN HOWARD SOCIETY OF ALBERTA. ROLE OF THE POLICE. Retrieved April 27, 2008 from http://www.johnhoward.ab.ca/PUB/C52.htm. Lumb, C., Richard. Understanding Police Organizational Transition to Community Policing. Retrieved April 27, 2008 from www.brockport.edu/crj/Understanding%20Police%20Organizational%20Transition%20to%20COP.doc Net Industries. (2008). Police: Organization and Management - Managing Police Organizations. Retrieved April 27, 2008 from http://law.jrank.org/pages/1670/Police-Organization-Management-Managing-police-organizations.html Paranjape, V., N. (2005). Criminology & Penology, CENTRAL LAW PUBLICATIONS. ALLAHABAD : INDIA. Twelfth Edition. p. 291. Sewell, D., James. (2002, March). Managing the stress of organizational change - law enforcement agencies. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin.Retrieved April 28, 2008 from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2194/is_3_71/ai_85047918/pg_2 Tafoya, L., William. The Future of policing. Retrieved April 27 , 2008 from http://www.totse.com/en/law/justice_for_all/futofpol.html Vito, F., Gennaro, Maahs, R., Jeffrey. & Holmes, M., Ronald. ( 2006 ).Criminology: Theory, Research, and Policy. Jones & Bartlett Publishers. p. 442. Retrieved April 28, from http://books.google.com.bd/booksid=2tehE36CziMC&pg=PA442&lpg=PA442&dq=%22ORGANIZATIONAL+CHANGES+%2B+THE+FUTURE+IN+POLICING%22&source=web&ots=i1b1G_4cBj&sig=A7yUVj9x1QNyJitH4TML2_h9J50&hl=en#PPA244,M1 Read More