Effective Law Enforcement

Introduction There are an array of qualities and characteristics that can be identified to gauge and define a successful law enforcement organization. The qualities and characteristics demonstrated collectively by the members of a law enforcement organization can further support the organization’s mission statement, vision, and core values. An organization must have a strategic plan designed to provide improvements in performance and delivery of services. Law enforcement leaders must take a proactive and innovative approach in identifying supervisors, first line supervisors, and employees to implement improved strategies that are intended to guide the organization to further success.

Some of the qualities and characteristics used to define

The emphasis is on production and yields in this approach. Establishing goals maybe arbitrary or subjective and the challenges in using this model are the complexity, ambiguity, diffuseness, and changeability that typify educational goals (Cameron, 1986).

The second approach is the internal process model, sometimes called the natural systems model, sees an organization seeking to achieve goals as well as desiring to maintain itself as a social unit (Cameron, 1986). Effectiveness in this tactic is gauged by organizational health, constancy, internal processes, and the achievement of goals.

The third approach is the open systems model, sometimes referred as the system resource model in which it focuses on the interdependence of the organization with its environment (Cameron, 1986). The fourth approach is the multiple constituencies model or the participant satisfaction model which sees effectiveness as the degree to which the needs of the various constituencies or stakeholders are met (Cameron, 1986). However, it has been noted is a conflict that can be resolved with conflicting needs and wants of other shareholders who may have varying measures of

Mintzberg (1991) also stated that without some concern for efficiency, all but the most protected of organizations must eventually falter. Efficiency generally means standardization and formalization; often it reduces to economy (Mintzberg, 1991).

Part 1- What are the characteristics of an effective organization? There are several characteristics that can be used to define an effective organization. Matthews (2011) stated that the three primary challenges that must be confronted when considering organizational effectiveness are the definition, measurement, and determinants of effectiveness. The characteristics of an effective organization is going to be multifaceted being that a sole viewpoint will not encompass the efficacy of any organization. Thibodeaux and Favilla (1996) define and characterize organizational effectiveness as the extent to which