Smaller Agencies Setting the Example for Excellence
All police agencies , regardless of their size , perform the same tasks . The only difference is frequency and availability of resources . Any officer deciding to make an arrest , engage in a pursuit , or respond to aggression by an offender is held to the same legal and constitutional standards of performance and expected to act accordingly . For years , attention was focused on mitigating lawsuits resulting from officers ’ inappropriate behavior .
Recently , agencies and their leaders are experiencing challenges in other ways including increased public criticism through social media , 1st Amendment audits , administrative oversight from state agencies for complaints ( i . e . speed enforcement requirements ), and public protests . Some agencies may begin to experience increased challenges in criminal prosecutions for poor or inconsistent operations . In many cases , agencies may be unaware of how many cases are not being prosecuted because officers failed to properly follow establish procedures or document their actions .
In November 2020 , the U . S . Department of Justice established minimum policy requirements for agencies to apply for discretionary grants . Once initiated , these processes tend to expand exponentially . In the next year , police leaders are also likely to see renewed use of federal consent orders by the U . S . Department of Justice for identified patterns and practices of unlawful behaviors .
Agencies that do not take a proactive approach to managing their operations in accordance with established standards may soon find increased restrictions being forced upon them . What may be worse are severe limitations on professionally operated organizations because other agencies are not performing to standards . These externally imposed requirements will likely not consider the individual community ’ s interests , conditions or needs . They most definitely will not consider the interests of its officers , appointed and elected leaders , or the citizens they serve .
The processes to ensure performance is done in a consistent manner have been established for years . These include up-todate operational procedures , training , on-going supervisory review ( appropriately supporting or correcting as needed ), and documentation . The Georgia Law Enforcement Certification Program has codified these expectations .
In his best-selling book Atomic Habits , author James Clear describes the best approach for individuals seeking to improve their daily habits . Clear illustrates the three layers of behavioral change . The first layer is outcomes ( what you get ), followed by processes ( what you do ), and identity ( what you believe ). While some utilize an outcome-based approach that begins with a
26 WINTER . 2021