This paper is primarily directed towards a discussion of Police Crisis Management. This topic is necessary and beneficial to the police system in dealing with their operations. Crisis Management refers to a system of approach in solving various problems that may come in different situations. Its major function is to prepare a body, group or institution of the possibilities of disaster, calamities and emergencies. Finally, this paper tackles about the significant features of Police Crisis Management which include the stage of planning, negotiation, and the development of the crisis management.
This paper is divided into three parts. The first part is the introduction wherein the concept of crisis management is described and defined. The second part elucidates on the definition and characterization of Police Crisis Management. The third part is composed of the important aspects and facets of Police Crisis Management. The last part presents the conclusion of the paper.
Crisis Management is a mechanism used in dealing with impending crises. Its principal focus is on the planning stage in which an organized practical method is formulated in order to prevent the occurrence of particular crises. It primary goal is to thwart the incidence of disorder in a specific field rather than facing the problem in an extemporized immediate approach.
Crisis Management entails the detection of the crisis itself, the stage of making plans in reaction to the crisis which include proper way of dealing and resolving the problem. It is most likely used in the field of political science, international relations, business and management.
The principal precepts of Crisis Management are gathering of the most pertinent information regarding the crises instead of concealing it; treating the crisis as quick as possible for prolonging its existence might also increase the risks it poses; and the coordination and involvement of the persons who are responsible for the execution of the crisis management system.
Having the above key principles, the theory of crisis management can be carved up into three main phases, namely: crisis negotiation, crisis control, and crisis dynamics.
Police Crisis Management
Police Crisis Management pertains to a systematic method of treating crisis or problems that are primarily directed towards police operations. This method aims to check the occasion of hitches and predicaments in the field of police system. Moreover, its task is not only in the detection of potential problems but also in addressing these problems systematically and accordingly.
In its objective to put superior countermeasures over the imminent crises in the field of the police system, planning and execution take a very important role in administering the crisis management. With this regard, standard operating procedures should be observed by the police system in order to manage the crises responsibly and conscientiously.
Important Aspects of Police Crisis Management
As stated earlier, necessary stages of crisis management should involve planning on what to do, how to do, what are needed in dealing with a specific crisis. Such plays a very important role for it is the stage wherein the crisis management starts. It includes the identification of the existing crisis, the reasons or the causes of its occurrence, the affected aspects and the approximated period of its occurrence if not addressed immediately. Also, it consists of the formulation effective techniques or strategies that can successfully terminate the prevailing crisis.
Another important aspect of police crisis management is the gathering of the most important and most relevant information regarding the crisis which is primarily focused on the knowledge, skills and attitude that the police system should possess in order to execute the planned strategy in managing a particular crisis. For example, in the case of hostage-drama scenario, the police system does not instantly go to the place wherein there is a hostage situation. The police system has this standard operating procedure in which prior to its implementation, a plan of action should be first discussed by the police themselves initiated by the superior police. In such meeting, the policemen are reminded of the dos and don’ts in dealing with that particular situation.
They are also reminded of the consequences and possible threats that they might encounter while executing their task of controlling the situation. Lastly, as advocates of justice, police system does not permit abuse of power. In which in the case of the given hostage-crisis, the policemen are not instructed to gunshot the hostage-taker at once. Negotiation is the initial mechanism use by the police system in handling such situations. However, in worst cases like the hostages are really being by the hostage-taker, the policemen are initiated to do all that they can do to stop the hostage-taker from hurting the hostages –which allows them to fire on the hostage-taker (such also applies to other instances such as by-bust operations, face-to-face encounter with law-offenders, etc.)
In addition, excellent coordination with the whole police system is necessary in the police crisis management. It is noteworthy that the police system is well coordinated from top to bottom and vice versa. The planning stage should be composed of commands and instructions from the top superiors, and the discussed-strategy that is done during the emergency meeting of the police. Having this need of coordination means also that outstanding communication among the law-enforcers should be maintained during the crisis management.
Time-delay should be avoided. There should be no action from the police system that might interrupt the operation. As cited earlier, quick reactive response should be the attitude of the police all throughout the crisis management. Prolongation of such incidents might severe the tension and the situation causing more difficulty in controlling the circumstances. Finally, instances of previous cases of crisis management should be recorded and examined so as to aid the police for formulating new set of crisis management approach. It is also important that the government should support and help the police in upholding this crisis management-thing. There should be a rule or law that should ensure the police that whatever happens during their attempt to actualize such crisis management, there is a law that would justify their acts and procedures.
To conclude, Police Crisis Management is a very important mechanism established and utilized by the police system in facing calamities and disasters in their field of work. Such mechanism is said to be necessary for it prepares them for the potential crisis that they may experience with regards to their field of work.
The roles and the functions of the implementer of such police crisis management is also important for it serves as an assurance that a particular crisis is really being taken in hand by the police. Also, knowledge, skills and attitude should also be motivated with regards to the nature of the adversity.
The abovementioned important aspects in the Police Crisis Management are just few among the essential factors that are employed in the police crisis management. By following and observing these factors, a well-strategize and more premeditated crisis management can be established by the police in doing their task as law-enforcers.
Davidson, T. N. (2002). To Preserve Life: Hostage-Crisis Management Cimacom
Fink, S. (2000). Crisis Management: Planning for the Inevitable (Revised ed.): Backinprint.com.
Miller, L. (2006). Practical Police Psychology: Stress Management And Crisis Intervention for Law Enforcement Charles C. Thomas Publisher
Nadu, T. (2006). Police evolve crisis management plan [Electronic Version]. The Hindu:Online edition of India’s National Newspaper. Retrieved May 28 2007.