What are some disadvantages associated with specialization? Explain each

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

When specialization occurs and a specialized unit is formed or an old unit is given additional personnel, the officers generally are taken from patrol. As specialization increases, the number of patrol personnel decreases and the amount of territory per patrol beat increases. Also, since specialists are assigned and equipped to perform specific tasks, they are not available for patrol or other duties.

Increased specialization within a department necessitates limiting the number of tasks an individual officer performs. For example, the most interesting aspects of police work (e.g., investigations, narcotics, SWAT, etc.) are performed by specialists, not patrol officers. As a patrol officer's range of tasks decreases, the likelihood of job dissatisfaction increases. The job may even become boring. Personnel development is also hindered since officers do not experience a wide range of activities and thereby do not develop a clear understanding of other facets of the department and its mission.

Specialization increases the number of units in the organization. For example, the Los Angeles Police Departments has approximately 200 distinct units within its organization. Decision makers must consider the impact of any potential decision on all units. Thus decision making and coordination become more difficult to successfully achieve with an increase in units. Suboptimization also occurs—individuals within the various units become more concerned with their units than with the overall police department and its goals. Unit officers pursue their objectives without regard to other units' objectives. Competition sometimes develops and officers may even become hostile toward officers in other units.