| States (nations) are obligated to create a | | | | decisions they can make. All police should be clear |
| structural and managerial environment that will | | | | on the procedure to clarify orders, and how to |
| enable the police to effectively and efficiently | | | | challenge possible unlawful orders properly. They all |
| implement the provisions of the rule of law, | | | | should also know who can make what decisions. |
| domestic and international law, and accepted | | | | Just because someone is a supervisor in one |
| human rights standards. There must be an | | | | section of the police it does not mean that he or |
| independent police structure that can operate | | | | she can give orders just because of rank. They |
| without interference from other agencies. This | | | | should not be able to give orders or directives to |
| does not mean that there is no type of outside | | | | those outside or their respective section. |
| oversight, as that is needed. What you do not | | | | Proper Logistical Support |
| want is a police agency that becomes a private | | | | A police agency cannot operate without proper |
| army for a minister or other similar department | | | | logistical support. This means that the government |
| head. | | | | needs to provide all of the necessary vehicles, |
| The Rights of Police Personnel. | | | | equipment and uniforms for the police to perform |
| One of the key issues that needs to be | | | | their duties. If they expect the police to work in |
| addressed through laws and policies are the rights | | | | all sorts of weather conditions, then the proper |
| of police personnel. Yes, the police personnel need | | | | type of uniforms need to be provided (like |
| their rights protected, and one of the best | | | | raincoats and parkas). The police should not have |
| methods is a clear code of criminal procedure and | | | | to make personal purchases to do their job. |
| a well structured and organized standard operating | | | | Along these lines there must be an accountability |
| procedure (police policies). Police need to know | | | | system for police equipment and supplies for the |
| what their rights are and under what authority | | | | police agency. This type of system is common |
| they operate. They also need internal assurances | | | | throughout the world and there should be a |
| through policy that they will not be subject to | | | | system already developed somewhere that can |
| autocratic rule and arbitrary decisions made by | | | | be adopted. This is to ensure that the police do |
| the police leadership. That type of operation which | | | | not squander their resources and to prevent |
| is more like a dictatorship, only has the police | | | | corruption involving logistical issues. |
| "walking on eggshells" and in fear of their own | | | | Proper Training |
| police command structure. While that may result | | | | No police agency can be effective without proper |
| in obedient police, they will definitely be an | | | | training. Of course there needs to be a solid |
| ineffective force that is not likely to have any | | | | training base at the academy (entry) level. This |
| innovation or any type of true initiative. | | | | needs to cover the countries criminal laws, the |
| Chain of Command. | | | | criminal procedure, arrest search and seizure, and |
| One of the key elements in police policies and | | | | all the physical basics of arrest, shooting and |
| laws is the chain of command. Every police | | | | driving. |
| working within the agency should be given a clear | | | | Beyond that, there needs to be training available |
| cut picture of what the chain of command is. | | | | beyond the basic academy level. There needs to |
| Autocratic leaders from non-democratic policing | | | | be courses on middle and upper management. |
| agencies do not understand the chain of | | | | There also needs to be specialty training like CSI, |
| command. They tend to want to give orders | | | | forensics, investigation techniques, S.W.A.T. and |
| directly to the lowest level officer strait from the | | | | various other advanced courses. The police need |
| police leadership. They do not realize that chain of | | | | to know what it is they are enforcing (the law) |
| command is a two way structure, and the | | | | and how to enforce the law. Of course in-service |
| directives and orders need to follow the chain | | | | training on key issues like human rights and |
| downwards to the officer. They tend to by-pass | | | | criminal law updates is important too. |
| all the middle level supervisors, and then later | | | | For the police to be a viable police agency the |
| chastise them for not knowing about the orders. | | | | police need to be trained. I do not mean just the |
| It is important to instill that the chain of command | | | | leadership either. The lowest level officer needs to |
| works both ways and one of the main purposes | | | | be trained so they can function in a proper |
| of the chain of command is to protect the basic | | | | manner. Many times fledgling countries do not |
| police officer. If the chain of command is not clear | | | | want to pay for the additional training of their |
| or not followed it can only make the police | | | | police. However, without proper training you can |
| agency weaker and inefficient. | | | | only have a haphazard police agency. |
| Operating Procedures (SOP) on supervision | | | | Proper police management is a key factor in |
| Along with chain of command, the Standard | | | | developing a police agency that maintains |
| Operating Procedures (SOP) on supervision should | | | | democratic policing principles. A democracy |
| be clear-cut. All leaders at all levels need to know | | | | without democratic policing is almost like having |
| what they are authorized to do, and what | | | | the right to vote, but no access to a polling place. |