Gary W. Cordner and Kathryn E. Scarborough: Police Administration, 7th Edition


Case Studies with Questions and Answers

Chapter 07: The Police Executive

Within the last 24 hours, a school shooting has taken place in small community. This is the 3rd incident of school shootings that have taken place over the past three years. As expected, a number of local and state public service agencies and departments have responded to this incident in an efficient and calculated manner. Social workers, psychologists, and law enforcement agencies have combined their resources and efforts in an attempt to uncover the rationale behind this tragic event. Official investigations surrounding this event have been initiated and police administrators are being debriefed on a daily basis. In response to these events, a number of local and national level television news affiliates have arrived in the community. With the responsibility of gaining pertinent details regarding this unfortunate event, a number of the reporters are requesting to speak with police officials.

Questions

  1. Dissemination of police-related news information can be handled according to three different models. Which model offers the possibility of giving a police chief the most control over the information released?
  2. Correct Answer

    The model in which the police chief handles all media relations personally.


  3. Which model offers the possibility of giving a police chief a shared responsibility of controlling the information released?
  4. Correct Answer

    The model in which the police chief delegates media relations responsibility to a specific individual or unit with the department.

  5. Which model offers the greatest amount of potential risk in terms of what and how news information is released?
  6. Correct Answer

    The model in which the police chief allows every employee the freedom to release news information to the media.

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