Organizational structures employed by law enforcement agencies play a crucial role in their ability to effectively serve and protect communities. This essay will compare the organizational structures of the Phoenix Police Department and the Avondale Police Department. Management models utilized by each organization will be identified and their effectiveness will be discussed. Additionally, the concept of problem-oriented policing (POP) will be defined and the value of leading police personnel by utilizing positive management models in motivating employees toward high achievement in solving community problems will be explored. Organizational Structure The Phoenix Police Department serves a diverse urban area and employs a hierarchical organizational structure. The department’s organizational …show more content…
Problem-oriented policing is defined as “an analytic method used by police to develop strategies that prevent and reduce crime”. Under the POP model, police agencies are expected to systematically analyze the problems of a community, search for effective solutions to the problems, and evaluate the impact of their efforts” (Practice Profile: Problem-Oriented Policing 2014). The Phoenix Police Department’s management model and its emphasis on community collaboration and strategic partnerships is effective in addressing underlying issues that contribute to higher crime rates and disorder. Due to its smaller size and connection to the local community, the Avondale Police Department integrates elements of problem-oriented policing into its management model. The hands-on approach employed by the Avondale Police Department combined with most officers being residents of the City of Avondale results in a strong sense of accountability among employees. As a result, officers are able to effectively address the needs of the local