Police policies and procedures organize the daily work of a police
department and provide guidance for officers' decision-making in the field. Courts and the public look to departmental policies and procedures to determine whether an officer's actions were lawful and appropriate. Draft policies and procedures thoughtfully to encourage a law enforcement environment which meets community needs and withstands public and legal scrutiny.
- Police policies and procedures provide consistency and eliminate ambiguity in departmental practices. They set standards for staff and officers to follow in the broad variety of situations.
- Significance
- Police policies and procedures may have the force of law, or at least be considered by a court or jury in determining whether an officer acted lawfully in the line of duty. Procedures related to basic employment practices will also be subjected to legal scrutiny in cases regarding issues of fair employment practices or wrongful termination.
- Difference Between Policies and Procedures
- A policy is a broad statement of an objective, intended to guide an officer's thinking in any situation which may arise. A procedure is a specific rule or guideline which sets out explicit steps to follow to fulfill a policy objective. For example, a workplace policy might be: All officers shall present a professional appearance at all times on the job. A procedure to fulfill this policy might be: All officers must wear either approved black field boots or dress shoes and departmentally-issued trousers, shirts, belts and caps while on patrol.
- Policy Considerations
- Policies are statements of the department's principles, and as such should reflect the community in which the department is operating. Policies set the tone of police-community relations, and should therefore send an unequivocal statement to officers as to the values which should guide their actions. While policies should be clear, their role is to provide parameters for action, because no one can ever anticipate the factors of every situation which will arise in the course of a law enforcement officer's duties.
- Discretion in Policy Drafting
- Legislatures write the laws, but the exercise of discretion in drafting and applying police policies determines how those laws are enacted in communities. Policies regarding whether to request identification from immigrants who are crime victims, engage in high speed pursuits for traffic violations in residential areas, or pull over motorists for not wearing seat belts, all create a profound impact on the tenor of police-community relations. These policies will vary significantly between different departments as law enforcement administrators exercise discretion to ensure their policies best meet the needs of the public they serve.
- Dangers of Lack of Policies
- Lack of policies on important public issues results in arbitrary and inconsistent practices and creates confusion both within the department and in the public. This can result in a reduction in public confidence as well as open the department to legal liability when tragedies or perceived injustices occur.
- Policy ImplementationPolicies must be implemented through adoption of concise regulations or procedures where appropriate, by informing officers of the existence and importance of the policies, and by training officers in the requirements of any related procedures. Policies should be reviewed regularly to ensure they remain current and continue to reflect shifting community values and requirements as well as developments in police practices.
