Assess the effectiveness of the implementation of organizational rules and policies (SOPs), combined with training and effective supervision, as a means of controlling police discretion.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

SOP’s identify the actions that officers should take in certain situations. This may mean that an officer is required to take a certain type of action or that they should refrain from engaging in a certain type of action. In addition, SOPs may identify the factors that an officer should consider when making decisions in specific situations. SOPs have been crafted to address everything from high-risk activities, like police use of force and high-speed pursuits, to rather mundane aspects of the job, like uniform and equipment expectations, and overtime. In order for these SOPs to be effective, they must be supported by training and effective supervision. When this is done, research suggests that policy changes have affected officers’ behaviors. When SOPs exist, but are not supported by effective training and supervision, the results may not be as positive.