Green: The Police Manager, 7th Edition

Case Studies

Chapter 07: Organizational Environment

You are a lieutenant with approximately 12 years of experience on the job. For the last four years you have been in charge of the asset forfeiture section of your department. Your job is to seize, manage, and dispose of assets that are connected to the drug trade. You have a lot of control over your schedule, and do a lot of your work from your desk. You supervise two officers who pretty much do all of the field work.

There is another supervisor in the department who handles day-to-day operations. This lieutenant has been on the job approximately 20 years. He has a few “last-minute” activities. You know that some of those “last-minute” jobs are because of the nature of law enforcement, but you believe that a few of the “last-minute” actions are the result of poor planning.

You both report to the same deputy-chief. The deputy-chief has been on the job for more than 30 years. He has a great sense of humor, and is great to socialize with. However, he likes to be liked by everyone and does not handle personal conflict well.

The other lieutenant approaches the deputy-chief and asks if he can be re-assigned to asset forfeiture. You are re-assigned to operations. You don’t mind the change and after a couple of weeks you feel fairly comfortable with your new duties. After about three months into this change, you are comfortable and doing well with your new duties, but you are hearing from your former staff that the other lieutenant does not plan well and is causing problems in the forfeiture section.

The deputy-chief comes to you and asks you if you would be willing to go back to asset forfeiture. You tell him that you will do whatever he thinks is best for the department. The deputy chief confides in you that the other lieutenant is not doing well. However, the deputy chief has known this lieutenant for many years and does not want to hurt his feelings. The deputy chief informs you that he is going to tell the other lieutenant that you told him working in operations was too stressful for you and you want the deputy chief to put you back on assets. The deputy chief asks you if you are okay with this.

Questions

Do you tell the deputy chief that you would like to stay in operations because you are now comfortable there?
Your Answer

Correct Answer

Yes, but you should agree to do what is best for the department. You can explain your feelings to the deputy chief.
Should you tell the deputy chief that you are comfortable with your abilities and if it makes the process smoother, you are willing to “take one for the team”?
Your Answer

Correct Answer

Maybe. This is not a bad idea, but if you feel uncomfortable with the deputy chief making you the “fall guy,” tell him.
Should you tell the deputy chief that you do not want to sound like the incompetent one in this scenario? Keep in mind that the deputy chief has always been good about getting you the training and equipment that you need for your section.
Your Answer

Correct Answer

Your experience tells you that the deputy chief will do what he believes is best for the department.

Yes. Tell the deputy chief that you are willing to go back if that is what he wants, but you would rather he not make it appear that you are incapable of running the operations of the department.