Ensuring Quality Performance : Use of Checklists in Police Services
define the agency for years if mishandled . Despite this , the use of checklists has received limited attention by most agencies .
Leaders should expect to encounter problems and challenges anytime change and increased accountably is introduced to facilitate quality police services to our citizens . Implementing major operational changes , such as checklists , is always difficult at first . Staff will likely view checklists as nuisances , an insult to their judgment , and an attempt to limit officers ’ discretion . But these responses are not uncommon . Similar responses occurred in other fields until practitioners began to recognize the benefits of using the checklists .
Because of this , it is particularly important for leaders and officers developing the checklist know why and how they are to be utilized . The objective of a checklist is not about checking off the blocks . Rather , it is a tool to improve the consistency and outcome of work , which in the end results in improved quality services to the community .
Like surgeons and pilots , a small oversight by an officer can have drastic consequences for the officer , as it relates to credibility and liability , and to the victim , in an unsuccessful investigation , or suspect who is wrongfully charged with a crime . When implementing the checklist program , leaders should start small .
Acknowledge that officers have a variety of difficult and demanding responsibilities that require attention to detail in an environment that is dynamic , vibrant , and in some instances hostile . To minimize these issues , the agency must engage the staff in the developmental processes .
The best checklist is designed to be precise and practical without detailed instructions . Each checklist should be limited to less than ten items and focused on the most critical tasks that are dangerous to omit or are often overlooked . The tasks should fit on one page with simple and direct wording . To ensure the task list is easier to use in a dangerous or quickly evolving situation , it should use lower and upper cases in a larger font to enable officers to read the list in less than 20 to 30 seconds .
Checklists typically use one of two basic formats , “ Do and Confirm ” or “ Read and Do ”. With the Do and Confirm , actions are initiated , and the required tasks are confirmed to have been completed . On the other hand , with Read and Do checklists the tasks are checked off as they are completed . The checklist cannot be composed in lengthy description of how to perform the task . Officers are trained on what and how to perform the tasks .
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It is also important to note that as the police profession progresses , best practices emerge and evolve , de-briefings are convened , community expectations change , and hard lessons are learned . To keep pace with the developing changes , checklists must be frequently revisited and refined as needed . Implementation complications experienced in other fields