I use this PowerPoint presentation when working with my clients overseas. It helps to establish my point of view as well as open a conversation on the differences between their models of policing and the typical American experience.

1. Copyright 2009 Hi Tech Criminal
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American MunicipalAmerican Municipal
PolicingPolicing
A Briefing for Foreign DignitariesA Briefing for Foreign Dignitaries
By Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPDBy Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD
(ret.)(ret.)

2. Copyright 2009 Hi Tech Criminal
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American Municipal PolicingAmerican Municipal Policing
 The purpose of thisThe purpose of this
presentation is a briefpresentation is a brief
overview of the natureoverview of the nature
of how Americanof how American
Municipal policing andMunicipal policing and
how it may differ fromhow it may differ from
other countries.other countries.

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American MunicipalAmerican Municipal
Policing differs fromPolicing differs from
most other countries inmost other countries in
that it is:that it is:
 localized, yet legallylocalized, yet legally
governed nationally;governed nationally;
 driven by officer initiateddriven by officer initiated
activities; and,activities; and,
 Managed in a top-downManaged in a top-down
manner.manner.

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A local PhenomenonA local Phenomenon
 American Policing is accomplished at theAmerican Policing is accomplished at the
local levellocal level
 There are more than 18,000 State andThere are more than 18,000 State and
Local law enforcement agenciesLocal law enforcement agencies
 While controlled at the local level, lawWhile controlled at the local level, law
enforcement activity in the United States isenforcement activity in the United States is
governed by the US Constitutiongoverned by the US Constitution

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National GovernanceNational Governance
While accomplished atWhile accomplished at
the local level,the local level,
AmericanAmerican
Municipal Policing isMunicipal Policing is
empowered by the USempowered by the US
Constitution.Constitution.

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The 4The 4thth
AmendmentAmendment
 ““The right of the people to be secure inThe right of the people to be secure in
their persons, houses, papers, andtheir persons, houses, papers, and
effects, against unreasonable searcheseffects, against unreasonable searches
and seizures, shall not be violated, and noand seizures, shall not be violated, and no
Warrants shall issue, but upon probableWarrants shall issue, but upon probable
cause, supported by Oath or affirmation,cause, supported by Oath or affirmation,
and particularly describing the place to beand particularly describing the place to be
searched, and the persons or things to besearched, and the persons or things to be
seized.”seized.”

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Primary ConceptsPrimary Concepts
 ReasonableReasonable
SuspicionSuspicion
 Probable CauseProbable Cause
 DiscretionDiscretion

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Reasonable SuspicionReasonable Suspicion
 Police Officers usePolice Officers use
ReasonableReasonable
Suspicion to detainSuspicion to detain
and conduct limitedand conduct limited
searches.searches.

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Probable CauseProbable Cause
 Probable cause isProbable cause is
used to make arrestsused to make arrests
and conductand conduct
searches.searches.

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DiscretionDiscretion
 A Hallmark ofA Hallmark of
American Policing is aAmerican Policing is a
police officer’spolice officer’s
authority to interveneauthority to intervene
and act.and act.
 A police officerA police officer
chooses:chooses:
 Do I intervene?Do I intervene?
 What do I Do?What do I Do?
 How do I do it?How do I do it?

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Managing Police OfficersManaging Police Officers
 InfluenceInfluence
 Command EmphasisCommand Emphasis
 LeadershipLeadership
 SupervisionSupervision
 TrainingTraining
 ControlsControls
 RulesRules
 RegulationsRegulations
 PoliciesPolicies
 ProceduresProcedures

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InfluenceInfluence
 Command Emphasis – Making thingsCommand Emphasis – Making things
more important than others.more important than others.
 Leadership – Influencing human behaviorLeadership – Influencing human behavior
toward organizational goals.toward organizational goals.
 Supervision – Leadership andSupervision – Leadership and
management when there is anmanagement when there is an
organizational relationshiporganizational relationship
 Training – Initial and in-serviceTraining – Initial and in-service

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ControlsControls
 Rules – proscription about behaviorRules – proscription about behavior
 Regulations – proscription about thingsRegulations – proscription about things
 Procedures – step-by-step instructionProcedures – step-by-step instruction
 Policies – statement of expectedPolicies – statement of expected
organizational outcomeorganizational outcome

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Impact of PolicyImpact of Policy
 Use of ForceUse of Force

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Elements of Model PoliciesElements of Model Policies
 WorkableWorkable
 Adaptable to trainingAdaptable to training
 Written in a positive mannerWritten in a positive manner
 Incorporate relevant lawIncorporate relevant law
 Pre-tested to assure understandPre-tested to assure understand
 TrainingTraining
 ExamplesExamples

16. American PolicingAmerican Policing
Click on the image of “AClick on the image of “A
Concise History ofConcise History of
American Policing” forAmerican Policing” for
detailed information ondetailed information on
the development of lawthe development of law
enforcement in theenforcement in the
United States.United States.
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