What are the differences between policies and procedures and between rules and regulations (and what are some examples of each)?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Policies are very general and basically serve as guides to thinking rather than action. They reflect the organization’s purpose and philosophy and help interpret them for the officers. A policy might state that everyone found driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs must be arrested, or that all detained juveniles must be taken to a specific facility

Procedures are more detailed and outline the preferred methods for handling matters relating to many elements of the police job, including investigation, patrol, booking, radio transmissions, filing of reports, roll call, use of force, arrest, and so on. An example of a procedure might be one that outlines the process for filing a report on a call for service.

Rules and regulations are specific guidelines that leave little or no latitude for individual discretion. An example might be a requirement that officers may not smoke in public or that they arrive at roll call at least ten minutes early.