Police Operations

Chapter 1

Hiring Process

• You need to decide – What size department• Small, medium, large

– Will it be a job or a career• Retirement options

– What are my career goals• Specialty job – Detective, K-9 handler, Accident

Reconstruction….• Promotion

Hiring Process• Am I a viable candidate?– Background• Criminal activity – detected and undetected• Drug use

– Employment history• I’ve always wanted to be a cop…

– Credit history– Driving History– Physical condition– Job suitability assessment/personality inventory

Getting Hired• Agency application• ALERT Test– Writing

• Clarity, vocabulary & spelling

– Reading• Comprehension

– Reasoning– Practice Tests (from MCJA website)– http://lib.post.ca.gov/Publications/poWrittenPracticeTest.pdf

http://www.testprepreview.com/sat_practice.htm

Getting Hired

• Written exam (maybe)– General knowledge– Observation– Pattern recognition– Integrity Component

Getting Hired

• Physical Agility Exam– Based on Cooper Institute standards– Age and gender based– 1.5 mile run– Sit-ups (timed)– Push-ups (timed)– Pass/ Fail– Done again two weeks before entering police

academy

Getting Hired• Interview• Rolling resume – tell us about yourself• What have you done to prepare• Community involvement• Any bad behavior• Strengths/weaknesses• Scenarios• Low stress but you’re on the hot seat

Getting hired

• Background packet– Be honest

• Background investigation– Follow up on what you put in the packet– References – make sure they know

• Pre-employment polygraph– Meeting God

Getting Hired

• Conditional Job Offer– Contingent upon you passing the medical & psych

• Medical Examination– Comprehensive exam

• Psychological Examination– Written and interview– Personality inventory

You’re Hired!

• Maine Criminal Justice Academy– 18 weeks in beautiful downtown Vassalboro

• Monday through Friday• Classroom, scenarios, range weeks• Weekly tests

Your Department

• Field Training Program• San Jose Model• Used in Portland & other departments• 14 week program• Daily evaluations• Progress in two week increments

Mission Statement

• Declaration of purpose for the organization and it’s members

• A road map for the organization• Gives direction and sets priorities

• PPD Mission Statement– The mission of the Portland Police Department is to

maintain a safe city by working in partnership with the community to prevent and reduce crime, protect life and property, help resolve neighborhood problems and protect the rights of all.

Police Power

• U.S. Constitution• State Constitution• Statutes – state and federal• Case law

Three General Eras of Policing

• Political – 1840 thru 1930• Reform – 1930 - 1980• Community – 1980 – to present

Professionalism of PoliceWickersham Commission

• Report 11 – Lawlessness in L.E.– Police brutality, questioning tactics, threats, illegal

detention, no access to an attorney• Report 14 – The Police– Police administration – leadership, centralized

administrative control, higher personnel standards– Overall professionalization of the police– And all this leads to…

Professionalism of Police

• 1960’s Case Law– Miranda v. Arizona– Terry v. Ohio

• 1970’s Education and formal academy– Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA)– Formal education through CJ programs

• Technology– Video– Improved investigations

Police Organizations

• Paramilitary structure• Chain of Command – rank structure• Organizational Chart - responsibilities

• Patrol Division (Field Operations)• Detective Division• Specialty Positions

Basic Patrol Objectives (p. 5-6)

• Prevent Crime– Proactive patrol– How is this measured?

• Community Involvement– Quality of life issues

• Prevent Delinquency– Youth programs– Diversion from the formal system

• Repression of Crime– Police presence at “hot spots”

Basic Patrol Objectives (p.5-6)• Arresting & Assuring Conviction of Offenders– Your job is not to convict

• Reducing Traffic Collisions– Enforcement & presence at high accident

locations• Assuring Public Peace– Gatherings, demonstrations, neighborhoods

• Problem Solving & Crisis Planning– Weather emergencies, sports championships,

neighborhood issues

Patrol Services

• Routine patrol• Preventive presence• Community/benevolent services• Business/property security• Inspection services• Public interaction• Calls for service• Animal control

Patrol Services

• Traffic direction/control• Preliminary investigation• Information services• Develop contacts• Make arrests• Collect/preserve evidence• Testify in court• Prepare reports

Distribution of Patrol Resources

• Jurisdiction• Telephone/internet reporting• Reportable traffic accidents• What generates a report?• Population density• Calls for service• Size of geographic area

Distribution of Patrol Resources

• Nature of area (Old Port)• Beat boundaries• Open beats – who is responsible• Rotating assignments• Proactive v. Reactive

Discretion

• Professional judgment• Department outlook…• Personal outlook – knowledge, training,

experience, circumstances• Advice from other officers

• Voluntary compliance is the ultimate goal

Officer Liability

• Civil– Compensatory damages – generally covered by

your employer or insurance company– Punitive damages – the individual is responsible – Attorney costs are paid by employer

• Criminal – Officer is responsible for attorney costs

Officer Liability

• Civil Rights Lawsuit– Protection of citizens against abuses of government –

including police misconduct– Willful police conduct that violates an individual's

constitutional rights– False arrest, malicious prosecution, excessive force,

failure to intervene– An individual bringing a police misconduct claim must

prove the actions of the police exceeded reasonable bounds, infringed the victim's constitutional rights, and produced some injury or damages to the victim

Public Perception

• Usually based on limited information• All police are painted with a broad brush• Difficult to change the perception• Perception becomes reality…

• What factors impact your perception of the police?

Public Expectations

• People want to be able to explain their situation to the police

• They want the police to be unbiased, neutral and fair

• They want to be treated with dignity and respect and have their rights acknowledged

• They want the police to consider their needs and be concerned about their well-being

• After all…I pay your salary