Criminal justice organizations are structured differently based upon the mission of the organization. The organizational structure of law enforcement in the United States consists of both federal and state law enforcement agencies. At the federal level, 105 federal agencies exist that consist of thousands of federal law enforcement agents authorized to make arrests and carry firearms. In reference to the different federal agencies, at least 10,000 federal law enforcement personnel are in the Customs and Border Protection agency, Federal Bureau of Prisons, the FBI, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Federal officers are able to respond to threats against federal lands or borders, patrol these borders and lands, conduct criminal investigations, inspections, security and protection, court operations, and corrections. Take a look at the Department of Homeland Security’s, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) and the “Partner Organizations” that train there.
https://www.fletc.gov/current-participating-organizations
In addition, consider that State law enforcement agencies are vast and have huge variations in regard to laws and ordinances. In the U.S. there are more than 17,000 state and local law enforcement agencies with hundreds of thousands of officers. The states sovereign over a criminal justice system comprised of the police, courts, and corrections
This chapter is about the structure of criminal justice organizations which encompasses the police, courts and corrections. Let’s take a look at the organizational structures of correctional agencies, law enforcement agencies, and courts in both sovereigns. As part of the discussion, consider whether one of these criminal justice agencies operates with an open or closed system. Closed systems are hierarchical, formal, and mechanistic. Open systems are informal and organic. They rely on professionalism. Also consider Centralization versus Decentralization. In centralized organizations important decisions are made by upper managers. In decentralized organizations important decisions are made in the lower levels.
Class below you will see three prompts. They are simply that, just prompts to assist you and to get you thinking. You have latitude with this discussion. You may address one prompt or all three if you like. You may formulate your own thoughts on a similar topic or by using an example of a current event.
Given these two factors, e.g., Open versus Closed systems and Centralization versus Decentralization, which do you believe would be the most successful approach to running an agency, e.g., police, courts and corrections and why? You can choose one of the three or a combination of all three.
Should we consider the missions of the these agencies, its organizational structure, and the major areas of its services?
If we consider Community Policing models for example and how the role of police departments in public safety management have sought to reduce crime through improved relationships and direct partnerships between citizens and police, which do you think would be the best approach?
