Pol101 2023 02 SG-1
Pol101 2023 02 SG-1
POL101
© STADIO
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Please refer to the contact details below in order to have your administrative queries
addressed as soon as possible:
NAMIBIAN OFFICE:
WINDHOEK
Phone: +264 (0) 83 331 0080
Email: [email protected]
Lecturer Ms HS Skinner
Email [email protected]
You may contact your Lecturer/Facilitator of Learning should you have questions or
experience problems with the module.
The Discipline Leader is Dr Vanessa Grootboom (email: [email protected]).
Textbook Availability
STORE: Juta
Online
SEMESTER 2023 02
MODULE POLICE MANAGEMENT I
MODULE CODE POL101
DUE DATE 22 SEPTEMBER 2023
Page 1 of Assignment
ASSIGNMENT – 2023 SECOND SEMESTER
POL101
POLICE MANAGEMENT I
PLEASE ENSURE THAT THE ANSWER BOOK THAT YOU SUBMIT IN MS WORD OR
PDF FORMAT. NO SCANNED DOCUMENT WILL BE MARKED.
LIST OF REFERENCES:
Refer to the STADIO Referencing guide HERE for guidance.
IMPORTANT: Ensure that you submit this assignment answer book on or before the due date and
time.
Submit this assignment answer book by logging into CANVAS with your MySTADIO account.
Please use the same username and password credentials you have used to log into MySTADIO
Submission Guide
Click to Watch
Page 2 of Assignment
ASSIGNMENT – 2023 SECOND SEMESTER
POL101
POLICE MANAGEMENT I
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Page 3 of Assignment
ASSIGNMENT – 2023 SECOND SEMESTER
POL101
POLICE MANAGEMENT I
ASSIGNMENT
Read and do before starting your assignment
The study guide consists of several topics. Each topic links to a chapter in your prescribed
textbook (if there is one) and starts with Learning Outcomes. These Learning Outcomes
should guide you in the areas/sections you have to focus on in each chapter of the
textbook. As you work through the sections in your textbook, consider how they work or can
be applied in your work environment.
There are activities in each topic that link to each of the Learning Outcomes. Your
assignment questions will cover some of the Learning Outcomes and so will the
examination/summative assessment. If you have thus studied the content in the textbook and
the relevant articles/documents in the BPP Readings relating to each Learning Outcome and
you can link them practically to your work environment, you should be adequately prepared
to start with your assignment. So please study the textbook, the relevant
articles/documents in the BPP Readings and the study guide before attempting the
assignment.
Examples
When required to provide examples, please do not use the examples in the study
guide, the textbook or previous years’ tutorial letters. Use examples from your own
work environment or newspaper articles. You will only receive marks if you use your
own examples.
Table of contents
The assignment must have a table of contents at the start, which should only include short
themes, and not the whole question, and the page number, e.g.:
1. Planning 2
List of references
A list of references (sources you used in your answers) must be compiled at the end of the
assignment – see the STADIO referencing guide.
PLEASE NOTE: Question 1 is an essay-type question, which requires a title, an
introduction, paragraphs with headings/sub-headings, recommendations and a conclusion.
(Except for the title, all headings should be numbered.)
Source references should also be provided. This is done in your answer where you use the
information obtained from another source, e.g., Smit et al., 2016:112 (112 is the page
number). Marks will be deducted if this is not done. In the introduction, you will usually define
the relevant concepts or provide general remarks about each topic and indicate what you will
be discussing. In the conclusion, you should deal with what has been requested or, if no
indication was given, just present a summary of your discussion. If recommendations are
required, these have to be based on the topics you discussed and what
improvements/changes can be made.
Read the question and make sure you understand exactly what is being asked. Use your
prescribed textbook, relevant articles/documents and the study guide to base your
discussions on. In other words, if you are requested to explain/describe/discuss your
understanding of a concept, steps, stages, etc., you have to READ what is said about it in
the textbook, the study guide or any other source and then formulate your own
Page 4 of Assignment
ASSIGNMENT – 2023 SECOND SEMESTER
POL101
POLICE MANAGEMENT I
Question 1 [64]
(First, read through the relevant sections in the prescribed textbook and the discussions in
the study guide, then provide your own understanding of the theory for each question.)
EXTRACT
Access the article “Leadership vs Management: Understanding the key difference”. Compare
management and leadership as discussed in the article and the discussion of management
and leadership as found in Smit et al. (2020).
Your discussion must include the following:
1.1 A brief introduction: defining leadership and management showing your
understanding of the two concepts. (4)
Guidance: Formulate your own definitions.
1.2 A discussion on leadership and management with specific reference to the “The
Three Important Differences between a Manager and a Leader” as found in the
article. Compare the information in the article with the theory discussed in Smit et al.
(2020). (18)
Guidance: In the article “Leadership vs Management: Understanding the key
difference”, several factors which distinguish between leadership and management
are also discussed. Your discussion must only focus on “The three important
differences between a manager and a leader”. Six (6) marks will be allocated per
identified difference for the theoretical discussion and the comparison.
Leading People vs Managing People: One responsibility of a manager is controlling a
group to accomplish a specific goal. Leadership, on the other hand, is the ability of an
individual to motivate, influence, and enable other employees to contribute to the
success of an organisation. Inspiration and influence separate leaders from
managers—not control and power Duggal (2023).
1.3 An explanation of the role that you can play as a leader in the stages of group and
team development. Incorporate the leadership skills as discussed in Question 1.2 in
your discussion. (20)
Page 5 of Assignment
ASSIGNMENT – 2023 SECOND SEMESTER
POL101
POLICE MANAGEMENT I
Guidance: Two (2) marks for the theoretical discussion of each stage and two (2)
marks for the link with the leadership characteristics as discussed in the article in
Question 1.2.
Individuals in an organisation are one of the most important resources. No two people
are the same. The differences between people are easily discernible when it comes
to age, sex, marital status, but differences in personality, learning experiences
motivation and so forth, are far more difficult to ascertain.
1.4 Good managers use motivation (positive reinforcement) as a tool to inspire
employees to achieve organisational goals. Identify and discuss any three (3)
motivational tools (positive reinforcement) that you, as a leader, can use to motivate
and inspire employees. Motivate your discussion and give a practical example. (6)
Guidance: No marks will be allocated for the identified motivational tool. One (1)
mark will be allocated for the motivation of the motivational tool and one (1) mark will
be allocated for the practical example.
1.5 Being a leader or manager, you must understand individual behaviour to ensure
effective performance. Discuss the six (6) variables that influence the individual
behaviour of employees in organisations. (12)
Guidance: In your discussion, you must explain your understanding by means of
practical examples from a policing/law enforcement environment. One (1) mark will be
allocated for discussion of the variable and one mark (1) for the example,
1.6 In conclusion, identify leadership challenges that you as an upcoming leader are
experiencing and make a recommendation of how you can address these challenges.(2)
This is an essay-type question, provide your answer with a title (short description of what
your answer is about); then start with 1. Introduction as your first heading and continue with
your answers providing each with a relevant heading; ending with Conclusion (as the last
heading). Remember to provide source references in your answer; indicating where you get
the answer from the textbook and/or study guide or other sources, i.e., Smit et al. (2020:
page nr).
Structure: mark allocation: (2)
Title (1)
References (1)
Question 2 [12]
The business or management environment comprises different environments. Managers
need to understand these environments and sub-environments to ensure that decisions
made reflect changes that may be encountered.
Depict the composition of the management environment by drawing a diagram reflecting the
different environments it composes of.
Page 6 of Assignment
ASSIGNMENT – 2023 SECOND SEMESTER
POL101
POLICE MANAGEMENT I
Question 3 [14]
EXTRACT
It's a wrap: how the EFF's #NationalShutdown played out
The much-anticipated national shutdown headed by the EFF began early on Monday with the
intention of disrupting the country through protests against the electricity crisis and to call for
President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down and the high level of unemployment to be
addressed.
Source: “It's a wrap: how the EFF's #NationalShutdown played out”. Times live. 20
March 2023
https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2023-03-19-updates-effs-national-shutdown-on-march-
20/
Managers in law enforcement agencies (LEAs) are expected to make decisions on the spur
of the moment. During the recent planned “national shutdown” of the EFF (20 March 2023),
to protest against load shedding in South Africa, the management of the different LEAs had
to plan strategically for the event. This entailed the making of decisions to secure the safety
of human life and property.
Taking the “national shutdown” into consideration, use the decision-making process to think
through the problem. Explain the decision-making process to make an optimal decision on
how to address possible unrest at your precinct. Link your discussion to the extract. Marks
will be allocated for the practical application to the decision-making process only.
Guidance: Marks will be allocated for the practical application of the identified problem. Two
(2) marks will be allocated for the practical application per decision-making stage.
Question 4 [10]
Members of Law Enforcement agencies are exposed to conflict situations on a daily bases.
The conflict can emanate from conflict between colleagues or conflict situations within the
community. It is the responsibility of members to manage the conflict.
Identify a conflict situation in your work environment. Use the identified conflict situation and
discuss any five (5) techniques that you can use to manage the conflict. Motivate your
answer with practical examples that link your discussion with the identified conflict situation.
Guidance: Discuss any five (5) techniques to manage conflict.
One (1) mark for the theoretical discussion of each technique
One (1) mark for the practical application of each technique
Page 7 of Assignment
Table of contents
GENERAL INFORMATION 3
LECTURER DETAILS 4
TEXTBOOK AVAILABILITY 4
TOPIC 3 PLANNING 15
3.1 Introduction 15
3.2 The Nature and Importance of Planning 16
3.3 Kinds of Organisational Plans 16
3.4 Steps in the Planning Process 17
Summary 22
Self-Assessment Questions 22
TOPIC 5 ORGANISING 30
5.1 Introduction 30
5.2 Organising, Organisation and Organisational Structure 31
5.3 The Organising Process 33
5.4 Delegation 38
Summary 40
Self-Assessment Questions 40
TOPIC 6 LEADING 41
6.1 Introduction 41
6.2 Leadership and Management 42
6.3 The Concept of Leadership 42
Summary 43
Self-Assessment Questions 43
TOPIC 10 CONTROL 57
10.1 Introduction 57
10.2 The Definition of Control 58
10.3 The Importance of Control 58
10.4 The Control Process 59
10.5 Levels of Control 62
10.6 Functional Area Control Systems 62
Summary 63
Self-Assessment Questions 63
GLOSSARY OF TERMS 77
REFERENCES 78
The purpose of this module is to provide students with knowledge and skills regarding
the basic aspects relating to management in the policing/law enforcement
environment.
1
Topic 1
Introduction to Management
Prescribed Reading
Botha et al. (2020). Management principles: A contemporary edition for Africa. 7th ed.
Cape Town: Juta. Chapter 1: Sections 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.7 and 1.8 in your prescribed
textbook.
1.1 INTRODUCTION
2
1.2 NATURE OF MANAGEMENT
Before attempting the learning activities, it needs to be stated that every institution
needs management to offer a service or product and to achieve the goals of the
institution. Have you ever thought about where policing/law enforcement
organisations fit into this? Have you ever reflected on the managerial roles in this
process and what your role and competence should be as a potential future manager?
By completing learning activities 1–3 you will get some clarification.
Activity 1.1
Figure 1.1 in the textbook illustrates that the management process is a logical
sequence of functions – one following the other although leading is used with any of
the other three functions. The interactive nature of the management process is very
important and Figure 1.2 shows that by way of the direction of the arrows.
To explain how we can apply the four management functions, we will have a look at
how to apply them at an operational level.
NOTE
The following are examples of the application of the four management functions and
you must develop your own examples after studying the definitions of each function
in the prescribed textbook. What is provided below is just a brief description of each
function and not the definition. Do not just copy these when doing your assignment
or when preparing for the examination.
© STADIO (Pty) Ltd Police Management I POL101
3
1.3 DEFINITION OF MANAGEMENT
Taking the definition of management into consideration, we want to apply the four
management functions to the operational level to achieve the organisation’s
goals/outcomes which were developed on a strategic level by top management. (The
words ‘goal’ and ‘outcomes’ are used interchangeably depending on your strategic
documents.)
Example
Planning: The manager determines what must be done and how it is to be done.
(See the definition of planning in Chapter 5 of your textbook.)
Based on the plan, the station commander will group the activities and allocate them
to certain members. She will determine who will be in charge, determine reporting
lines and allocate the resources (vehicles, radios, etc.) required. She will then
delegate certain functions to the warrant officer as the person in control.
Leading: Both the manager and the delegated person will act in such a way that
they influence members to willingly participate and execute their functions to the
best of their ability. (See Chapter 11 for a definition of leading/leadership.)
The station commander and the warrant officer will motivate and direct the members
by working with them and encouraging them to reach the target.
4
(Please note that giving members bonuses is part of the performance management
function and is not leadership. People follow you as a leader because of the way you
act and not because of what you give them.)
Controlling: The manager will monitor progress to see if the goal/objective and
target are achieved. If not, steps will be taken to rectify errors or prevent deviation
from the plan. (See Chapter 16 for a definition of control.)
The station commander and the warrant officer will continuously monitor the
activities and their outcomes to see if they are going to achieve the goal/objective
and target which were set in the plan to decrease housebreaking.
If they see the target may not be achieved, they can make changes to the plan, for
instance by deploying more vehicles to patrol.
Activity 1.2
The figure below indicates the levels and ranks of the management of a police
station. Using this as an example, describe the different levels at your station, office,
centre or workplace using a diagram. Ensure that you include the relevant levels,
ranks and some responsibilities as examples.
Is it the way it is done in your work environment?
5
Middle management:
Brigadier, Col, Lt Col Lower management:
Top
Superintendents- managers of units:
management: stations, centres, Warrant officers in Non- managers:
Generals/Chief detectives; Major –
Directors at Head command of each shift Workers: Constables
support services; in the Community
office
Lieutenant – Service Centre;
Community Service Sergeants in command
Centre; Captain – of sectors
Visible Policing
Conceptual
Conceptual
Conceptual
Conceptual
Interpersonal
Interpersonal
Interpersonal
Interpersonal
Technical
Technical
Technical
Technical
Due to the diverse environment managers work in, it requires that they perform a
multitude of roles over and above management functions. Henry Mintzberg found that
managers perform approximately ten different roles within an organisation. Mintzberg
grouped these roles into three categories: interpersonal, information and decision-
making roles (Botha et al., 2020:17).
Activity 1.3
6
1.6 MANAGERIAL SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
Activity 1.4
Managers do not only need to know or acquire certain skills. They also have to be
competent (in other words have to be able to ‘do’ in the workplace). Discuss the
three main skills that are identified as prerequisites for sound management. Give
practical examples of each skill and relate it to the policing/law enforcement
environment. (Google the skills and get explanations and examples on the internet
so you can ensure you understand them and link them to policing.)
7
Interpersonal Manager's ability A manager Although the workers
skills to work with should be able to also need these
people listen carefully, abilities when dealing
communicate with members of the
clearly, show real public, managers must
empathy, deal especially have these
with and resolve abilities to manage
conflict, their subordinates to
understand ensure that they stay
people's motivated and positive,
behaviour, focusing on achieving
optimise diversity the goals of the
and motivate organisation.
both groups and
individuals.
Technical Ability to use the Knowledge of On the ground, the
Skills Knowledge or patrolling, constables should
techniques of a Community know how to protect a
specific discipline Service Centre crime scene or effect
to achieve duties, crime an arrest.
specific goals scene protection, Although the managers
investigation should also know, they
techniques, and now become
dealing with supervisors and spend
crash scenes. less time performing
these technical
activities but must be
able to guide their
subordinates.
8
Summary
You have now been introduced to the concept of management which includes the
important basic functions of planning, organising, leading and controlling that are
performed interactively and sometimes simultaneously. These functions of
management are performed at various levels of the organisation namely top, middle
and lower management. On each level, a different plan can be developed. These
different plans are the strategic plans, tactical plans and operational plans. To perform
these functions effectively and fulfil their various roles, managers should have specific
skills and knowledge also referred to as competencies.
Self-Assessment Questions
1. Using the diagrams you drew in Activity 1.1, explain the management process
with a specific focus on the interactive nature thereof.
2. Provide your understanding of the concept of ‘management’ and explain the
four management functions providing examples of each.
3. Taking the different roles that managers are required to perform into
consideration, indicate what skills and competencies they would require to be
successful. Do this in a table format.
9
Topic 2
Managing in a Changing Environment
Prescribed Reading
Botha et al. (2020). Management principles: A contemporary edition for Africa. 7th ed.
Cape Town: Juta. Chapter 3: Sections 3:3.1, 3.2, 3.2.1, 3.2.2, 3.3 and 3.3.1 in your
prescribed textbook.
2.1 INTRODUCTION
External changes in environments generate new needs and services, and all
institutions involved in policing are forced to change and adapt. Managers play a vital
role in managing organisations in a changing environment. Think of the major impact
1994 had on policing/law enforcement and all the changes that followed. Learning
Activities 2.1–2.3 will give you a better understanding of environmental forces and
how organisations are affected by them.
10
Activity 2.1
Write a brief report on the impact of change in the environment on Southern African
managers in your attempt to convince your manager. Provide practical examples
related to policing/law enforcement.
Activity 2.2
The following figure shows how the systems theory can be applied to a policing/law
enforcement environment.
11
2.2.1 The organisation as a micro-system of its environment
A system can be defined as a set of interrelated elements (micro-systems) functioning
as a whole (Botha et al., 2020:58). Your law enforcement agency is an example of a
system that is functioning within an environment. The system in which you function
is an open system that comprises different sub-systems for example your human
resource section and financial section.
The approach to systems management indicates that your law enforcement agency
can be seen as an open system that is influenced by the environment and in return
has to adapt to the changing times (Botha et al., 2020:58–59).
12
2.3 THE COMPOSITION OF THE MANAGEMENT/BUSINESS
ENVIRONMENT
Activity 2.3
13
Summary
Self-Assessment Questions
2. You are the newly appointed manager at your precinct. Compile a document
explaining the systems theory to your members by discussing it and illustrating
it with a diagram. Do you think your organisation functions as a system? Justify
your answer.
14
Topic 3
Planning
Prescribed reading
Botha et al. (2020). Management principles: A contemporary edition for Africa. 7th ed.
Cape Town: Juta. Chapter 5: Sections 5:5.1, 5.2, 5.3 and 5.5 in your prescribed
textbook.
3.1 INTRODUCTION
Planning can help any organisation to keep up with change and change is most likely
to be more orderly when it has been planned. Despite this, many managers seem to
be reluctant to plan. This can be overcome by having a better understanding of
planning and realising that through planning you may be able to influence the future
instead of just accepting it.
Usually, goals are broader and more qualitative while objectives are more specific and
measurable. SAPS in both their Strategic and Annual Performance Plans use the term
'objectives', while the Namibia Fifth National Development Plan and the Road Traffic
Management Corporation in their Strategic plan refer to the term 'goal'. You may use
either in your answers.)
Learning Activities 3.1–3.3 will give you a better understanding of planning and its
relevance to policing/law enforcement.
15
1. Apply managerial functions within a police-specific environment on a daily basis
for consistency and efficiency.
Planning forms part of the day-to-day operations of any organisation. Planning takes
place on all levels of the organisation. Managers are tasked with planning – from the
lowest level of the organisation (junior managers) to the highest level (top
management) in the organisation.
The different kinds of plans will differ depending on the level of the organisation that
is responsible for the specific plan. The focus of the plan and the time span will differ
depending on the level in the organisation (Botha et al., 2020:129).
Activity 3.1
Considering that different plans are formulated by managers on different levels in the
organisation, top management, middle management and lower management
(supervisors), these plans are influenced by the goals that are made by top
management of the organisation.
16
plans, thus supporting the strategic plans. Operational plans will be formulated by
lower management and will focus on smaller sections in the organisation that in turn
will support the middle manager’s plans (Botha et al., 2020:130).
Activity 3.2
The following table is an example of the levels of management linked to the type of
plans they develop.
(NB: Use the examples provided to guide you to develop your own examples based
on your work environment. Two examples are provided. One deals more with a
police environment and the second more with a traffic environment. You can focus
on the one which is most applicable to your work environment.)
© STADIO (Pty) Ltd Police Management I POL101
17
Step 1: Identifying changes that necessitate planning
Why is this planning done? What necessitates the planning? What planning must be
done due to changes in community needs and priorities, the organisation’s strengths
and weaknesses, etc.?
Example 1
The White Paper on Policing (the change) requires a community-centred approach
to be implemented and the station commander decided that the community must
be consulted to determine their needs and priorities regarding policing.
Example 2
An increase in pedestrian fatalities (the change) has led to the Minister requesting
Traffic Law Enforcement agencies to find solutions to address the issue.
Why determine goals/objectives? To give direction to all major plans. The plans
compiled in Step 7 will focus on achieving the goals/objectives which were set in this
step. The goals/objectives must indicate where we want to be; what we want to
accomplish and when we want to accomplish it.
Example 1
To determine the policing needs and priorities for 2023 as identified by the Paarl
Community.
Example 2
To decrease pedestrian fatalities by 20% by 2023.
18
Step 3: Drawing up assumptions
Before we can develop actions, we must agree on our assumptions (things that we
think may impact on the plan which we are developing) since these may differ from
person to person in the team. These assumptions are based on the external and
internal environment (see Topic 2) in which the plans will be implemented.
Example 1
• Internal environment (micro): insufficient number of police officials; not
enough vehicles.
• External environment (macro and task): Economic: poverty; Political:
various political parties active; Social: high gang activities; NHW inactive.
Example 2
• Internal environment (micro): insufficient number of traffic officials; not
enough vehicles; insufficient funding for road safety programmes.
• External environment (macro and task): Economic: poverty thus, can’t afford
to use public transport; insufficient safe pedestrian crossings and streetlights.
What could be done? Various actions are now brainstormed (see Chapter 6, Section
6.7.1 on brainstorming) which could be considered to achieve the goal/objectives.
Example 1
• Call a meeting with community leaders
• Invite all members of the community to one meeting
• Request sector commanders to arrange a meeting for community members
in each sector
• Conduct a house-to-house survey
Example 2
• Pay overtime and increase patrols
• Erect streetlights at appropriate places where a high level of pedestrian
crossings has been identified.
19
Step 5: Evaluating the various actions
Compare the various actions to decide which one or more could be implemented to
best achieve the goal(s)/objective(s) set in Step 2.
How to evaluate?
Decide on criteria that will assist managers to choose the best action(s) for example
costs, number of community members consulted; time taken to arrange; advantages,
disadvantages.
Various methods could be used to evaluate each action against the criteria:
Example 1
Decision matrix (Google ‘decision matrix’ and under ‘Images’ see the various ways the
matrix could be used).
Example 2
T-chart
The budget is allocated for overtime Not in budget for this financial year
20
Step 6: Selecting an action(s)
Based on the evaluation done in Step 5 one or more actions are chosen to follow.
Example 1
The action ‘invite all members to one meeting’ will be the best choice since the cost will
be the lowest, more people can be consulted and the meeting could be arranged in the
shortest time.
Example 2
When comparing the advantages and disadvantages of the two actions, it is clear that
‘pay overtime and increase patrols’ will be the best action to implement.
Example 1
Plan developed to indicate how, what, where, when, who, etc. regarding the
arrangements for the meeting.
Example 2
The plan developed should indicate who will compile applications for overtime, who will
complete and submit claim forms, etc. The operational plan developed should indicate
various shifts, the deployment of members on additional patrols, etc.
Step 8: Budgeting
Every plan should have a budget to ensure that the resources are available to
implement the plan(s).
Example 1
Although it was decided that costs will be low, there will still be costs i.e., tea and
coffee, water, and perhaps limited transport of community members.
21
Example 2
The budget should be allocated for overtime and additional transport/fuel costs.
Activity 3.3
(See Section 5.5)
You need to understand and be able to apply the steps in the planning process, as it
will enable you as a manager in the policing/law enforcement environment to play a
role in relevant planning processes.
Use the planning steps and examples above to compile your own application of the
eight (8) steps. Name the step, explain what it entails (theory in textbook) and provide
a practical example from your work environment for each step.
Summary
From these learning activities, it should be clear to you that planning is a process of
deciding in advance what is to be done and how it is to be done. It is a continuous
process and an integral part of the basic management functions of any manager in
the policing/law enforcement environment. The aim of effective planning should be to
anticipate or solve problems. In Topic 4 the focus is on creative problem-solving and
decision-making.
Self-Assessment Questions
1. Discuss the steps in the planning process and provide a work-related example
of each step to show your understanding of the planning process
Do you think that your organisation follows the planning process? Justify your
opinion.
22
Type of Focus Area of the Purpose of the Example of Plan
Operational Plan Plan Plan
Strategic Plan
Tactical Plan
Operational Plan
23
Topic 4
Managing Decision-Making
Prescribed Reading
Botha et al. (2020). Management principles: A contemporary edition for Africa. 7th
ed. Cape Town: Juta. Chapter 6: Sections 6:6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.5, 6.5.1 6.6 6.7, 6.7.1,
6.7.2, 6.7.3 and 6.7.4 in your prescribed textbook.
4.1 INTRODUCTION
Managers at all levels of the organisation are continually challenged with making
decisions and solving problems. Have you ever observed how many decisions your
manager/supervisor must make daily and how many problems he or she is challenged
with? Have you ever observed how these decisions are made and how these problems
are solved? The following learning activities will enable you to explore creative
problem-solving and managerial decision-making.
24
then be described as when the perceived outcome and the actual outcome differ from
that anticipated by the manager (Botha et al., 2020:163).
Activity 4.1
(See Section 6.2)
Organisations employ a diverse work group that will consist of different backgrounds,
schools they attended, lifestyles, etc. They must, however, all make the same
decisions that will involve different options and outcomes in the organisation. The
decisions will vary in content and frequency (Botha et al., 2020:164).
Activity 4.2
(See Section 6.5.1)
Managers need to decide whenever they are faced with a problem. They need to
attempt to solve most problems. Policing/law enforcement managers face this
challenge daily. Your experience is that many of them are not applying the decision-
25
making process. Identify a challenging policing/law enforcement problem and
explain how the decision-making process could add value to solving this problem.
First, I must recognise and admit that there is a problem. Then I must define my
problem clearly and identify possible causes. My problem: only 15% of students use
examples in their assignments. The reason may be that they are in a hurry and do
not want to spend time thinking or asking for assistance from colleagues. They do not
want to spend time thinking through the theory and consider how it could be applied.
Actions:
1. Provide clear guidelines on a DVD.
2. Provide clear guidelines just before an assignment in a tutorial letter via
STADIO email.
3. Provide clear guidelines for every question in the study guide.
26
3. Putting the guidelines in the question has no additional costs and should ensure
that they do read it when they read the question.
Stage 5: Select the best action(s)
The best action(s) must now be chosen from those identified in Stage 3 based on the
evaluation done in Stage 4.
Based on the evaluation in Stage 4, the best action will be to put the guidelines in the
questions.
Contact STADIO and inform them that I want to change the assignment format.
I make the necessary changes to the assignment questions and clearly indicate that
examples are required. I will bold this section.
During the assessment of the assignments, I keep a record of the use of examples by
the students to determine if there was an improvement and if I have achieved my
goal of 90%.
Activity 4.3
(See Section 6.6)
27
4.6 TECHNIQUES FOR IMPROVING GROUP DECISION-MAKING
Activity 4.4
(See Sections 6.7,6.7.1, 6.7.2, 6.7.4 and 6.7.4)
Summary
Have these learning activities given you better insight into problem-solving and
decision-making in the policing/law enforcement environment? Addressing the unique
issues in the policing/law enforcement environment will require creative problem-
solving and decision-making by managers. In Topic 5 organising as a basic
management function is explored.
Self-Assessment Questions
1. You have identified a problem in your workplace regarding decisions being taken.
It appears that the supervisors don’t understand the decision-making process,
the advantages and disadvantages of group decision-making and the various
techniques which could be used to improve group decision-making.
Compile a document containing the following information:
1.1 Outline the decision-making process with relevant practical examples. Explain
why you think it is important to follow these stages.
1.2 A discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of group decision-making
and explain one of the techniques that can be used to improve group decision-
making.
28
2. Discuss the different techniques that can be used to improve group decision-
making. Choose one of the techniques which you think will work best in your
work environment and justify your choice.
29
Topic 5
Organising
Prescribed Reading
Botha et al. (2020). Management principles: A contemporary edition of Africa. 7th ed.
Cape Town: Juta. Chapter 8: Sections 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 8.9, 8.9.1 8.9.2, 8.9.3, 8.9.4
and 8.9.5 in the prescribed textbook.
5.1 INTRODUCTION
Jobs, tasks and functions need to be arranged so that people can perform most
effectively. You can imagine that in any policing/law enforcement organisation, this
basic management function becomes even more important to prevent chaos and lead
to a greater sense of purpose.
Organising can be defined as the process of creating a structure for the organisation
that will enable its people to work effectively towards the realisation of the vision,
mission and goals (Botha et al., 2020:225).
30
5.2 ORGANISING, ORGANISATION AND ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
Activity 5.1
(See Sections 8.2 and 8.3)
First study the reasons for organising in your textbook and then work through the
following section continuously thinking about how it will apply to your work
environment.
• Allocation of responsibilities
Organising leads to an organisational structure that will clearly indicate who is
responsible for what tasks. In the case of traffic law enforcement, the goal of
improving the safety of road users will require a variety of tasks such as roadblocks,
stop and checks, patrolling, vehicle checks and road safety education. In each of these
functions, the responsibilities of the traffic centre manager, senior inspectors and
inspectors need to be allocated and clarified.
• Accountability
This implies that each of the responsible officers will be expected to account for the
outcomes, positive or negative, for that portion of work under their control.
Organising ensures that they are thus accountable for their own actions. Should one
of them conduct an illegal search, that person will be held accountable.
31
(These channels are not the radio channels or the Information register.)
• Resource deployment
Organising assists managers to deploy resources in the most meaningful, effective
and productive manner. Station commanders usually have limited resources, be it
police officers, vehicles or equipment and by organising effectively, they will be able
to allocate the resources adequately to achieve the goals of the police station.
• The principle of synergy enhances the effectiveness and quality of the work
performed
All the sections at a police station, the Community Service Centre (CSC), visible
policing, detectives and administration section, must work closely together to ensure
that the planned work is delivered. They are thus organised in such a way that they
support one another.
• Division of work
Organising means that various tasks, procedures and resources are systematically
grouped. The workload is divided into activities that must be performed by an
individual or a group of individuals. For example, various tasks in a CSC could be
allocated to officers performing CSC duties: taking statements, opening case dockets,
certifying documents, detaining suspects, etc. They will thus each be aware of what
his or her duties are.
• Departmentalisation
The tasks and activities which are related, are grouped and organised together
meaningfully in specialised units, branches, sections or departments, i.e. detective
services, fingerprint unit, visible policing section and public order policing unit.
• Coordination
A mechanism is created to coordinate the activities of a whole police station by
organising it into an interdependent structure. By organising a manager creates a
structure where all functions are coordinated because of, amongst others, the
reporting lines and each member knowing what is expected of him/her (Botha et al.,
2020:227–228).
32
5.3 THE ORGANISING PROCESS
Activity 5.2
(See Section 8.4 and Fig 8.2 (in 7th edition)
Your manager/supervisor has fallen ill because of stress-related issues. You are
requested to assist colleagues with organising, but it is clear that they do not
understand the organising process. Use a diagram to illustrate the stages in the
organising process and briefly explain each stage using a practical example.
See Figure 8.2 in the textbook for the stages/steps in the organising process.
Since the vision, mission, goals/strategic objectives and strategies form the basis
for the stages/steps of organising, they will first be discussed followed by the
stages/steps of organising.
Vision: To create a safe and secure environment for all people in South Africa.
Mission:
• Prevent and combat crime that may threaten the safety and security of any
community.
• Investigate any crimes threatening the safety and security of any community.
• Ensure that offenders are brought to justice; and
• Participate in efforts to address the causes of crime.
Strategic objectives/goals:
33
• Discourage all crimes by providing a proactive and responsive policing service
that will reduce the levels of priority crime.
• Contribute to the successful prosecution of offenders by investigating,
gathering and analysing evidence.
• Gather crime intelligence in support of the prevention, combating and
investigation of crime.
• Minimise security violations by protecting foreign and local prominent people
and securing strategic interests.
Strategies:
The back-to-basics approach in policing comprises nine key dimensions. They are
the transformation of the police service, compliance with the fundamental principles
of policing, a culture of performance management and accountability, enhanced
police visibility, the thorough and responsive investigation of every crime reported,
the efficient use of resources in support of crime investigation, the optimal use of
crime intelligence in support of proactive and reactive policing, the targeted and
informed deployment of operational resources, and a collaborative and consultative
approach to policing.
From these high-level plans, police stations will compile tactical and operational
plans to contribute to the achievement of the strategic objectives/goals and targets
as indicated in these plans.
Still keeping the above in mind, the stages/steps of the organising process will be
explained by using the community meeting as planned (steps of planning) in Topic
3 as an example. The goal here was to determine the policing needs and priorities
of the community.
Work through the stages/steps in your textbook (2016 or 2020) and use the
following two sets of examples to guide you to develop your own examples (when
the authors reviewed the book in 2020, they merged Stages 1 and 2 to become Step
1, deleted Stage 3, changed Stage 4 to became Step 2 and a new Step 3 was added
– see Example set 2 after this one)
Example set 1
The following stages are according to Smit et al. (2016).
Stage 1: Outline tasks and activities
To achieve the goal, the tasks and activities that have to be completed must be
outlined. Here is a list of examples.
34
Tasks and activities:
• Confirm the school hall as the venue
• Arrange chairs, tables, sound system, and PowerPoint projector
• Arrange tea, coffee and water
• Invite and confirm the attendance of the Minister, SAPS management, and
community leaders
• Invite community members
• Arrange access and egress control
• Compile a programme
• Register the presence of attendees
• Function as the programme director
• Record information received
• Analyse information and compile a report
35
Stage 3: Define worker relationships
The responsibilities of each person as well as relationships of authority between
superiors and subordinates must be defined. Col S has the overall responsibility for
the community outreach. Ms D must continuously keep Sgt A informed of the
expected number of attendees to enable her and Const E to plan the logistic support.
She must also provide them with names for the attendance list to be used at
registration. Capt. W must ensure that she is prepared regarding the programme
and expected outcomes of the session.
36
• Invite community members
• Arrange access and egress control
• Compile a programme
• Register the presence of attendees
• Function as the programme director
• Record information received
• Analyse information and compile a report
The tasks and activities outlined must be grouped to become jobs that must be
allocated to staff members.
37
Step 3: Implement a controlling mechanism
A control mechanism must be developed and implemented to ensure that the
organisational structure which was chosen will allow the organisation to achieve its
vision, mission, goals, strategic objectives and strategies.
5.4 DELEGATION
Activity 5.3
(See Sections 8.9, 8.9.1, 8.9.2, 8.9.3, 8.9.4 and 8.9.5)
Delegation is the process through which managers assign a portion of their total
workload to others. In this process, authority is also passed on to an employee, who
then has the authority to deploy the necessary resources to complete the delegated
task (Botha et al., 2020:245).
38
Delegation entails that a manager allocates one or more of his/her own asks/functions
to his/her subordinate.
It is not the allocation of work to subordinates in general. Just remember these are
not tasks that are already part of another person’s job.
Principles of delegation – first work through the relevant section in the textbook.
For the following discussion, one of Capt W’s tasks is to compile an operational plan.
She delegates this task to WO T.
Work through the principles and then develop your own examples.
39
7. Provide feedback to subordinate – regular feedback, both positive and negative,
has to be provided as well as the way forward: i.e. as part of the monitoring
progress, Capt. W should tell WO T if he is compiling the plan correctly,
compliment if so or guide if not; inform him that he will be required to continue
compiling the plan for the next three (3) months.
Summary
Have you ever heard policing/law enforcement managers and supervisors complaining
about stress and work overload? This is often the result of ineffective organising and
delegation. As functions in the policing/law enforcement environment become more
challenging and dynamic (think of major crime combating/road safety operations),
organising and delegating will play an even more important role in the daily functions
of managers. Topic 6 explores leadership (often a contentious issue in the policing/law
enforcement environment).
Self-Assessment Questions
1 In Activity 5.1 you explained the organising process to your new members. Link
your discussion to the following questions:
1.1 Compile a document for your members that address ‘organising’, motivating
the reasons why managers should be informed about organising as a
management function.
1.2 How important is organising regarded as a management tool in your
organisation?
2 Delegation
2.1 Since delegation is such an important part of organising, include in your
discussion in Question 1.1 a description of the concept of ‘delegation’ as well
as an explanation of the principles of delegation.
2.2 Evaluate the delegation process used in your organisation against the
principles of delegation you explained in Question 2.1.
2.3 Compile short notes with about five suggestions on how delegation can be
improved in your organisation.
40
Topic 6
Leading
Prescribed Reading
Botha et al. (2020). Management principles: A contemporary edition for Africa. 7th ed.
Cape Town: Juta. Chapter 11: Sections 11.1, 11.2, 11.3 and 11.3.1 in the prescribed
textbook.
6.1 INTRODUCTION
41
6.2 LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
Activity 6.1
(See Sections 11.1 and 11.2)
Also, add the names of any two leaders in the policing/law enforcement environment
and provide your reasons for selecting them.
Activity 6.2
(See Section 11.2, Table 11.1)
Tabulate the differences between the two concepts to enable your colleagues to
understand the differences.
Activity 6.3
(See Sections 11.3 and 11.3.1)
42
Summary
Self-Assessment Questions
1. You are tasked by your supervisor to explain the concept of ‘leadership’ to the
management of your policing/law enforcement organisation. In your discussion
clearly distinguish between the unique characteristics of a leader as a manager.
In your opinion, do senior managers understand how important the role of good
leadership is in your organisation?
43
Topic 7
Individuals in the Organisation
Prescribed Reading
Botha et al. (2020). Management principles: A contemporary edition for Africa. 7th ed.
Cape Town: Juta. Chapter 12: Sections 12.1, 12.1.1, 12.3, 12.3.1, 12.3.2, 12.3.3,
12.3.4, 12.3.5, 12.3.6 and 12.5 in the prescribed textbook.
7.1 INTRODUCTION
What is management? It is about getting things done by other people to attain the
goals and objectives of the organisation. Can this be done if managers do not
understand the people they work with? The modern manager should understand the
basic issues of human behaviour. Would you agree that policing/law enforcement has
a severe shortage of suitably skilled managers to manage its diverse workforce?
Learning Activities 7.1–7.2 will enable you to explore this relevant issue.
44
7.2 PEOPLE IN THE ORGANISATION
Activity 7.1
(See Sections 12.3, 12.3.1, 12.3.2, 12.3.3, 12.3.4, 12.3.5 and 12.3.6)
It is the task of managers to manage people. They are obliged to learn more
about people and their behaviour in the organisation. This is a challenge for
policing/law enforcement managers and supervisors who have on many
occasions been accused of not being people oriented. Briefly discuss the six
variables that influence the individual behaviour of employees in organisations.
As a manager, you must base decisions, for example, work allocation on differences
between people, which could impact on their behaviour. You thus must consider the
six (6) variables. Ensure you know what each one means and how it could impact on
a person’s behaviour, i.e., taking bribes, dealing with domestic violence cases,
effecting arrests.
Activity 7.2
(See Section 12.5)
Have you ever been mentored or coached in your workplace? Mentoring and
coaching are two processes that all managers in contemporary organisations need
to be competent in when dealing with individuals.
Explain the concepts of ‘mentoring’ and ‘coaching’ and indicate how they can be
used in the policing/law enforcement environment by managers/supervisors to
improve individual performance.
45
Summary
Topic 8 creates the opportunity to reflect on groups and teams in the organisation.
Self-Assessment Questions
2. Not all organisations have the financial means to send members on formal
training programmes. Mentoring and coaching can be used to develop
individuals within your organisation. Distinguish between the two concepts and
use examples to clarify the application thereof in your own policing/law
enforcement organisation.
If you were a mentee, what would you expect of your coach in the post you are
currently in?
46
Topic 8
Management of Groups and Teams
Prescribed Reading
Botha et al. (2020). Management principles: A contemporary edition for Africa. 7th ed.
Cape Town: Juta. Chapter 13: Sections 13.1, 13.2, 13.3, 13.3.1, 13.3.2, 13.4, 13.4.1,
13.4.2, 13.4.3, 13.4.4, 13.4.5, 13.6, 13.6.1, 13.7, 13.8 and 13.9 in the prescribed
textbook.
8.1 INTRODUCTION
As seen in the previous topic, individuals play an important role in organisations. Often
these individuals are organised into groups or teams to have a greater impact on the
work environment. Do you think policing/law enforcement can benefit from more
group and/or teamwork approaches? Let us see if we can find an answer in Learning
Activities 8.1–8.4.
Although we make use of the words group and team interchangeably, literature makes
a definite distinction between the two concepts, group and team.
47
To distinguish between the two concepts, you need to look at their definitions. Groups
are defined as two or more people that share an interdependent relationship and who
come together for a specific goal.
Teams are defined as interacting and interdependent, they come together for a
specific goal. A team consists of a special kind of group. Groups can be turned into
teams in the process, with special management skills (Botha et al., 2020:398).
Activity 8.1
(See Sections 13.3.1, 13.3.2 and Figure 13.1)
As a newly appointed advisor to the management team, you need to assist the team
by first explaining the types of informal and formal groups and secondly, to
distinguish between the three types of formal groups that currently function in your
work environment. In your explanation, provide a practical example related to the
policing/law enforcement environment of each group.
Activity 8.2
(See Section 13.4, Fig 13.2)
Newly formed groups or teams go through certain stages of development. You have
been requested to explain these stages to your colleagues. Illustrate these stages
using a diagram and briefly summarise each stage in your explanation.
Provide an example from your work environment to explain the progress through
the stages.
48
protestors who are upset because a child was injured in front of the school where
motorists are continuously speeding.
(It is important that you work through this example and then develop your own
examples pertaining to your work environment.)
Forming stage: uncertainty about the teams’ purpose, leadership, rules and structure.
They do not know what is expected of them, there is no structure and no leader. Many
questions are asked to clarify what kind of behaviour is expected of them, the tasks
they have to perform and the rules they must follow.
Storming stage: in this stage, the team is characterised by conflict and disagreements.
There is uncertainty and conflict regarding leadership. The SAPS believes that they
should lead, but because the issue is about speeding, the municipal traffic officials
think that they should lead the team.
Norming stage: the team begins to function as a cohesive unit as they reach an
agreement on their purpose and leadership. They agree that a Captain of the SAPS
should lead the team and they enjoy a preliminary sense of closeness and attempt to
protect the group from disintegration. They start to work together to address the
protest action and to negotiate how to deal with the speeding issue.
Performing stage: the team now emergences as a mature, organised and well-
functioning team. They can address the protest action and negotiate with the
community without conflict within the team; they accept the leadership and function
very well as a team.
Adjourning stage: when the community disperses after an agreement was reached on
regular speed enforcement, the team can disband, and members can return to their
different units.
Activity 8.3
(See Section 13.6 and 13.6.1)
Please read in your textbook what we can learn from nature (ants and geese)
concerning teamwork. Summarise what you have learned in two paragraphs.
49
A team has been appointed in your workplace to solve the high rate of cash-in-
transit robberies/road accidents involving taxis. You were asked to lead this team.
Team members identified the need to identify and get a better understanding of the
characteristics of work teams. Describe these characteristics to your team members
and relate them to your challenge.
Take for example a team at a murder scene and the various roles they will have; from
protecting the scene, preserving and collecting evidence, interrogating witnesses,
documenting observations, etc. Various people who are working as a team at this
stage conduct these actions.
• They have complementary competencies – investigative, forensic;
• They are committed to a common purpose of solving the crime;
• They know and share the mission of SAPS and take collective responsibility
for the performance of the team;
• They are individually and mutually accountable and rewarded for
performance. While investigating the murder each team member is
accountable for what he/she is responsible and the team as a whole is
accountable to solve the murder. When they have solved the murder, they
could individually be rewarded during a performance appraisal, but as a team
they can also receive acknowledgement for the work they have done;
• Their combined effort as a team, results in a level of performance that is
greater than the sum of their individual inputs (synergy). As a team they could
contribute more concerning knowledge and skills than one individual could;
• They share leadership. Members are empowered to perform management
functions and thus there would for example be an investigation leader and a
forensic leader at a murder scene (read the geese example again, p. 410, and
see how they change leaders while in flight);
• The team is characterised by equality where everyone suppresses his or her
individual ego for the good of the team. Self-interest gives way to team
performance. Here it is not about one individual investigator but each person
on the team (read the ant example again p. 410);
• The size of the team will range from four to six members. Tasks will be
grouped and allocated in such a way that not more than four to six members
will be required to perform them. Smaller teams are considered to be more
effective;
50
• Selection of team members is vital to ensure the best possible team is made
available – selecting detectives and forensic scientists who have experience
of the specific kind of murder. (Botha et al., 2020:410–412).
Activity 8.4
(See Section 13.7)
Problem-solving teams are the most common type of team that you will find in an
organisation. The other teams found regularly in an organisation are self-managed
work teams, virtual teams and cross-functional teams.
Activity 8.5
(See Section 13.8)
Write an information note to top management on the different types of teams that
can be used in an organisation. Motivate your answer by giving an example of when
each of these teams can be used.
51
Organisations can also make use of a selection of teams (Botha et al., 2020:415–
416).
Activity 8.6
(See Section 13.9)
There are different options available for how organisations can introduce teams in
the workplace. Discuss the options available that your organisation can use to
introduce teams in your work environment.
Summary
I trust these activities stimulated your thinking on group work and teamwork and how
it can play a role in improving innovation and effectiveness in the policing/law
enforcement environment. Group- and team management is a very challenging task
facing managers in policing/law enforcement. Do you think it is applied to its fullest
capacity? Topic 9 focuses on conflict management as an important part of
communication and interpersonal relationships.
Self-Assessment Questions
1. Describe the concepts of ‘working groups and work teams’. You can formulate
your answer in table format. In your discussion include the characteristics of
work groups and work teams.
You must form your own understanding of the two concepts. Use the textbook
as a guide but form your own understanding.
52
Topic 9
Communication and Interpersonal Relationships
9.1 INTRODUCTION
Prescribed Reading
Botha et al. (2020). Management principles: A contemporary edition for Africa. 7th ed.
Cape Town: Juta. Chapter 15: Sections 15.5, 15.7.1, 15.7.2, 15.7.3 and 15.7.4 in the
prescribed textbook.
Whenever people interact with one another, the potential for conflict exists. This is
even more so in the policing/law enforcement environment. It is necessary to explore
ways of managing conflict to the benefit of the individual, the organisation and the
community. Learning Activities 9.1 and 9.2 will guide you through some important
information in the textbook related to causes of conflict as well as ways of managing
conflict.
Conflict can be defined as the interaction of interdependent people who perceive the
opposition of goals, aims and values and see the other party as potentially interfering
with the realisation of these goals (Botha et al., 2020:466). It could also be defined
as an active disagreement between people with opposing opinions or principles
(http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/conflict).
53
Interaction: the traffic centre managers have to be able to work together to achieve
the goals/objectives and conflict will arise if this is not possible.
Interdependence: the fact that the two traffic managers have to work together makes
them interdependent and if they want to address the issue differently or have different
styles of management (one believing in an authoritative management style and one
believing in participative decision-making), it could contribute to conflict.
Incompatible goals: if they can’t agree on what to do and how to deploy their
resources, one wants to have two vehicles patrolling the road and the other one feels
it will be better if traffic wardens are deployed to do foot patrols, it will lead to conflict.
Activity 9.1
(See Section 15.7.1)
The internal policing/law enforcement environment has a high potential for conflict.
As an observer working with an international advisory team on policing/law
enforcement, you need to identify the three general characteristics of conflict. Give
a practical policing/law enforcement example of each characteristic and briefly
explain your example.
Activity 9.2
(See Sections 15.7.2, 15.7.3 and 15.7.4)
Relating to Learning Activity 9.1, your advisory team has requested you to
recommend ways of managing organisational conflict. These recommendations must
be explained to and reported on to senior management in policing/law enforcement.
Write a report in which you explain the techniques and your recommendations.
The following are techniques to deal with conflict with examples to explain each
(please develop your own examples).
Avoidance: In the office, there is only one computer and Constable A is very unhappy
about the fact that Sgt B uses this most of the day and she does not get enough time
to finish her work on it. She, however, does not want to talk about it with the Sgt and
just avoids talking to her.
54
Problem-solving: Capt. C however can see that there is a problem between Constable
A and Sgt B and she calls them to her office. She requests information on what the
problem is and indicates that she would like to assist them to resolve the conflict.
Constable A explains why she is unhappy and after Sgt B has explained her side, they
realise that it was just a misunderstanding, and the conflict is resolved.
Shared goal: Capt. C sees there is a problem between Constable A and Sgt B and she
calls them to her office. She informs them that she received a domestic violence
complaint and would like the two of them to visit the complainant and deal with the
case together. In giving them a shared goal, she hopes to resolve the conflict.
Expand resources: It seems that the problem between Constable A and Sgt B is the
fact that they both need access to a computer and there is only one. Capt. C requests
that another computer be moved to their office so they could each have a computer.
Smoothing: Constable A realises that although she would have approached the
domestic violence case differently from Sgt B, she rather agrees with Sgt B’s proposal
so they could successfully deal with the situation (common interest).
Compromise: To resolve the conflict, Sgt B decides to compromise and agrees that
she will only work on the computer for two hours and Constable A can then work on
it for six hours.
Authoritative: Capt. C sees there is a problem between Constable A and Sgt B and
she calls them to her office. She instructs them to deal with the conflict immediately
and continue with their work.
Change structure: Capt. C decides to restructure the unit and moves Constable A so
she reports to Sgt E in another office.
Negotiation: Regarding the unhappiness about only having one computer, Capt. C
asks Sgt B and Constable A for suggestions to solve the situation. After discussing the
advantages and disadvantages of their access to the computer and negotiating
timeslots, they decided that each one would have four hours a day to work on it.
Negotiation is usually used between the employer and the labour union. For example:
Due to budget cuts, the SAPS wants to decrease the danger allowance of members.
Representatives of the SAPS and labour unions, POPCRU and SAPU, negotiate to solve
the conflict through an agreement.
55
Summary
Self-Assessment Questions
1. Conflict management
1.1 Formulate your own definition of conflict.
1.2 In Activity 9.1 you identified the characteristics of conflict. Based on the
framework that you already created, identify a conflict situation from your
own work environment and link it to the characteristics as discussed in Activity
9.1.
1.3 Identify one method that you can use to resolve the conflict identified in
Question 1.2 and justify why you think it is the best method to use.
56
Topic 10
Control
Prescribed Reading
Botha et al. (2020). Management principles: A contemporary edition for Africa. 7th ed.
Cape Town: Juta. Chapter 16: Sections 16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4 16.5.2 and 16.6.2 in the
prescribed textbook.
10.1 INTRODUCTION
You need to note the link between planning, leading, organising and controlling.
Control enables management to ensure that the actual activities fit in with
predetermined goals/objectives and planned activities. Can you think of any practical
control measures utilised by policing/law enforcement managers? How do policing/law
enforcement managers determine whether work is progressing as planned? Do you
experience control as a negative measure in the policing/law enforcement
environment? Is control supplementing your planning processes in your workplace?
Have you ever been consulted about the design of control systems?
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Control can be defined as the regulatory task of management that determines whether
there has been a deviation in the organisational plans so that steps can be taken to
prevent and/or rectify errors or deviations from the plans. Control is necessary to
indicate to organisations how well they are performing concerning their goals (Botha
et al., 2020:481).
The same is true about a police cluster, police station, traffic centre, office or
individual’s plans.
They all have plans that have to contribute to the success of the organisation’s
goals/objectives and the control function is used to ensure that individuals are
performing as required and agreed.
Activity 10.1
(See Sections 16.2)
Activity 10.2
(See Section 16.3)
Discuss the importance of control in your work environment and the value control
adds to your organisation.
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10.4 THE CONTROL PROCESS
The different steps will be explained by using three examples: one on a top
management level, one on an operational level and one for an individual, Const A.
EXAMPLE
Example 1: top management
One of the performance standards determined by the SAPS for Visible Policing in
their Strategic Plan 2020-2025 based on the strategic objective (goal) they have
set is:
Visible Policing
Strategic objective: To discourage all crimes by providing a proactive and
responsive policing service that will reduce the levels of priority crimes.
Performance standard: Increase arrests for crimes for unlawful possession
of and dealing in drugs by 23,71% to 481 354 by 2022/2023.
This performance standard will be cascaded right down to the police stations’
tactical and operational plans and individual officers’ performance agreements.
One of the actions decided on was to conduct more roadblocks. The average
number of arrests for possession of drugs at a roadblock has been 10 in the past.
The performance standard for a specific roadblock could then be: arrests for
possession of drugs are to be increased from 10 to 13 (which is an increase of
30%).
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Performance Enhancement Process (PEP); other organisations will call it something
else, but the purpose is the measurement of an individual’s performance.
Const A’s performance standard can thus be: arrests for possession of drugs are
to be increased from two (2) to three (3) per month. She will thus use the roadblock
in Example 2 to achieve her own targets.
This step involves the collecting of actual data and reporting on actual performance.
EXAMPLE
Example 1: top management
The monthly crime statistics received from all police stations will be used to
measure actual performance.
In this step, the actual performance (Step 2) is compared to the established standard
(Step 1) and dealt with by top management/management/ supervisor if there are
exceptional differences.
EXAMPLE
Example 1: top management
Progress towards reaching the targets set in Step 1 is now evaluated and
considered. Every quarter a Quarterly Report will be compiled which will indicate
deviations and proposals on how it will be addressed, which will be presented to
top management.
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Example 2: operational level
After withdrawing the roadblock, the data, which was collected in Step 2, will be
compared to the standard of 13 that was set. The actual number of arrests (12) is
thus lower than the standard and remedial action should be considered.
In this step, the need to take corrective action is considered. If it is still early in the
year or month, usually actual performance will be improved. If it is towards the end
of the year or month, the strategy or tactical or operational plans could be revised or
the performance standards lowered or increased.
EXAMPLE
Example 1: top management
When monitoring the Quarterly Reports throughout the year, top management will
take corrective action such as motivating underperforming stations to increase their
performance.
Activity 10.3
(See Section 16.4 and Fig 16.1)
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Illustrate the control process by way of a figure and then explain each step with an
example from your work environment.
Activity 10.4
(See Section 16.5.2 and Fig 16.2)
Activity 10.5
(See Section 16.6.2)
It was found that there is a challenge with control at your workplace. Discuss the main
instruments used to control human resources and explain how each one is or can be
used in your workplace.
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Summary
Control is a very important management function and doesn’t only enable managers
to ensure that goals/objectives are achieved but also that procedures, rules and
regulations are followed, and that tasks or activities are conducted as prescribed.
Self-Assessment Questions
You are experiencing challenges as the newly appointed manager with the members
working at your precinct. You will have to facilitate a session to address the situation
as it is ‘out of control’. Service delivery to your community is seriously affected by
the internal conflict at your precinct.
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Answers to Self-Assessment Questions
1. Use the diagrams you drew in Activity 1.1 and explain the process according to
your understanding ensuring you cover the fact that it is an interactive process.
The following is an example of how you could have explained the process.
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Management role Skills and competencies required
Interpersonal role
Leader Conceptual and interpersonal
1. The diagram depicts the composition of the macro-, task, and micro-environment
affecting policing/law enforcement environment as per Botha et al. (2020:61).
2. The following figure shows how the systems theory can be applied to a
policing/law enforcement environment as depicted in Botha et al. (2020:58).
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Discussion of the systems theory:
According to Botha et al. (2020:58), a system can be defined as a set of
interrelated elements functioning as a whole. A policing/law enforcement agency
can be seen as a system with several interrelated divisions/sections that function
as a whole.
You have to consider your discussion and indicate if your organisation functions
as a system. Your answer must be justified by using examples of why you say it
does or doesn’t function as a system. There is no correct or incorrect answer.
You must just clearly justify your argument.
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TOPIC 3 SELF-ASSESSMENT ANSWERS
The steps are discussed in the study guide and the textbook. Use those
discussions as the basis for your discussion of each step. Choose a topic or
theme as an example of how you will apply each step to your planning and use
it throughout the steps to show your understanding. Examples (applications)
are provided in the study guide which will guide you on how each step is applied.
Here is an example of Step 1.
Why is this planning done? What necessitates the planning? What planning must
be done due to changes or other requirements? (Botha et al., 2020:137)
Application– i.e. increase in the number of domestic violence cases
You also had to consider what the impact of poor planning is on your
organisation. Substantiate your answer with examples from your work
environment.
-Translating the
mission
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statement into
measurable
long-term goals
-Choosing a
strategy to
attain the
above.
Achieving
Operational Low level (example of plan)
operational
Plan
-to carry out tactical goals
plans to achieve
operational goals
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Possible causes of the problem: unavailability of transport, personal problems,
lack of discipline.
On the other hand, group decision-making also has some potential disadvantages:
It may be more time-consuming and lead to slower decision-making
Groups are more likely to sacrifice than an individual, especially when group
meetings are not run effectively
One group member, or a sub-group, may dominate and nullify the group
decision
It may inhibit creativity and lead to conformity and ‘groupthink’. (Botha et
al., 2020:173–174)
• Brainstorming
One of the biggest challenges of group decision-making is that members of
the group’s norms develop over time, and the members tend to conform to
group opinions. This results in creativity in the decision-making group
declining after the group reaches the forming stage.
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Brainstorming is a technique used to stimulate creativity and imaginative
solutions to solve organisational problems (Botha et al., 2020:175).
• Nominal group techniques
This is a structured group decision-making technique. Discussions are
restricted. Members of the group are present, a traditional committee
meeting is conducted, and members operate independently (Botha et al.,
2020:175)
• Delphi technique
Decisions are made by experts in the different fields. This technique is used
when brainstorming and the nominal group techniques cannot be used. The
Delphi technique is a decision-making technique that does not require the
physical presence of the participants (Botha et al., 2020:176).
• Group decision support systems
This group decision support system is a generic term that refers to computer-
supported group decision-making systems (Botha et al., 2020:176).
Choose one of the above techniques which you think will work best in your work
environment and justify your choice.
Based on your discussion of the techniques, choose one which you think will work
best in your work environment. This is your own opinion and you have to provide
reasons why you think the one you chose will work the best.
1. Organising
1.1 In Activity 5.1 you explained the function of organising. This is an elaboration of
your discussion about the importance of organising and the role that it can play
in your organisation. According to Botha et al. (2020:225) “organising is the
process of creating a structure of the organisation that will enable its people to
work effectively towards its vision, mission, and goals.” The reasons/importance
of organising varies from the allocation of responsibilities to principles of synergy
that enhance the effectiveness and quality of the work performed in your
policing/law enforcement organisation. Use your textbook to guide you in your
interpretation of organising and the importance and role that it can plan in a
policing/law enforcement environment.
1.2 You had to provide your opinion on how important organising is regarded to be
in your organisation. You had to motivate your explanation. For example, if the
officials do not know who report to and who the person is who is in command
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should they require guidance, it could lead to chaos. Officials will just do what
they think is right.
2. Delegation
2.1 Delegation plays an important role in the management functions of policing/law
enforcement organisations. Formulate your own definition of delegation. Use your
textbook to provide you with a guideline.
As a manager in a policing/law enforcement organisation you need to take
cognisance of the principles of effective delegation and the role that they can
play in your organisation. Seven principles of effective delegation are discussed
in your prescribed textbook. Use the theory as a guide to formulate your own
understanding.
2.3 Compile short notes with about five suggestions on how you will use delegation
as a tool to develop your members. Again, this is subjective and based on your
creativity and design skills. One suggestion could be by delegating a task such
as conducting a parade to a subordinate, which can develop such an official and
increase self-confidence.
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2. When approaching answering this question, reflect on your own leadership style
based on what you read in the textbook regarding the different
characteristics/behaviours of leadership. Formulate a profile for yourself of an
ideal leader.
This serves as an example of a profile of an ideal leader:
My ideal profile includes a combination of directive and supportive leadership
styles.
Leadership Behaviour Behaviour
Directive leader • I will direct inexperienced employees,
guide them on how to do a specific
task.
•I will ask members under my
command to adhere to the
organisational rules and regulations.
• I will ensure that all members receive
their weekly schedule of what is
expected of them.
Supportive leadership • I will ensure that I know what each of
my members’ personal needs are.
Understanding my members will assist
me when I allocate tasks to them.
• I will show the necessary empathy to
my members when needed. When
members feel they are valued they
tend to work harder.
3. When discussing Question 3 it is important that you look at the role that
authority, responsibility, accountability and delegation play in leadership and
then more specifically link these components to your own organisation. Use your
textbook as a guide to formulate your own understanding of the components of
leadership.
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TOPIC 7 SELF-ASSESSMENT ANSWERS
1. In Activity 7.1 you discussed the six variables that influence the individual
behaviour of employees in an organisation. Relate this discussion to the question
asked and link it to your own work environment. Formulate your own
understanding of the variables, values and attitudes, motivation, personality,
perception, learning and ability and make recommendations on how each of them
can be dealt with in your policing/law enforcement organisation.
The following is an example of one variable (value and attitudes) to guide you in
answering the question.
A person’s personal values play a decisive role in the decisions that are taken.
When on duty and confronted with a temptation to take a bribe to ignore a crime,
your personal value system will influence the decision that you take. Your
personal morals will form the foundation of the decision that you will take. Doing
the right thing even when no one is watching, is a decision based on personal
values.
2. Mentoring and coaching are two interventions that all managers in modern
organisations must take note of to ensure that individuals in the organisation
reach their full potential. Formulate your own understanding of the difference
between mentoring and coaching. Be guided by the information in your textbook
when formulating your answer. You can use a table to formulate your answer.
Use examples from your own environment to substantiate/clarify the application
of mentoring and coaching in your policing/law enforcement organisation.
The following is an example to guide you in answering the question.
Mentoring Coaching
• I will task a senior member in the • I will appoint a person to coach the
office, with a wide range of newly appointed member. The role
experience to guide a less of the coach will be not to only focus
experienced or a new member. on the professional development of
the member but also his personal
development.
You also had to indicate what you, as a mentee, would expect of your coach in
the post you are currently in. This is based on your opinion and there is no right
or wrong answer as long as you justify your answer.
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TOPIC 8 SELF-ASSESSMENT ANSWERS
Remember that this is just an introductory answer/example to the question. You will
have to elaborate on the discussion. Read through the theory in Botha et al. (2020),
to form a good understanding of the difference between the two concepts before
answering the question.
One stage in the team development process is summarised for you to serve as a
guideline.
Forming stage
The group is formed, and members/individuals of the group are uncertain about
their purpose in the group, leadership and the specific structure of the group.
Individuals in the group may have questions that vary from their own role and
purpose in the group. Members in the group start to get to know one another
and the advantages/disadvantages that the group will hold for them.
Example: A task team is formed with the specific purpose to address violence in
schools. Members from the different policing/law enforcement organisations and
private security companies are identified and tasked to form part of the task
team. Members are not known to one another, and a formal briefing session has
not taken place yet. Members are still very uncertain about their roles and
responsibilities.
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You need to continue with the discussion of the other stages in the same manner.
1.1 Use the theory in Botha et al. (2020) to guide you in the formulation of your own
definition of conflict. For example, conflict can be seen as several disagreements
or arguments between two people or a group of people about something of
interest (this is only an example of a definition of conflict).
1.2 In your discussion of Activity 9.1, you already discussed the characteristics of
conflict. In law enforcement, you are daily exposed to conflict situations, within
the organisation or with members of the community. The characteristics referred
to are incompatible goals, interdependency, and interaction.
This is just an example of how you can answer the question. Use this example
to guide you, identify a conflict situation in your work environment and link the
characteristics of the conflict to the conflict situation.
1.3 There are different methods that you can use to resolve conflict. You need to
identify the characteristics of the conflict before you decide on the method that
you will use to resolve the conflict. Remember it is important that all parties
involved in the conflict find some sense of satisfaction in the resolution to the
conflict. The list below indicates the different methods that you can use to resolve
the conflict identified in Question 1.2.
• Avoidance
• Formulation of a shared goal
• Smoothing
• Compromise
• Authoritative command
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• Change in organisational structure
• Negotiation
Identify one of the methods listed and motivate why you regard that specific
method as the best method to resolve the identified conflict.
Be critical. Look at the discussion of each one of the conflict management
methods before you make your decision.
1. This serves as a guideline on how you should have answered this question.
When interpreting a definition, you must understand the theoretical information
of the definition and formulate your own understanding thereof.
Example: Control is the function that managers can use to determine if the
organisation is still in line with the organisational plans, if not, what steps can be
taken to rectify and prevent any further deviations.
Now: try to formulate your own definition of control. Use the textbook to guide
you.
2. The following serves as a guideline for one step of the control process only. You
will have to formulate your own understanding of the remaining steps in the
control process.
3. Now, ask yourself the question, if you look at control as a management function
in your organisation, do you think your policing/law enforcement organisation is
using control optimally to manage the human resources in your organisation?
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Glossary of terms
Term Description/explanation
Guidelines for the Implementation of the Framework for Strategic and APPs issued
by the DPME– Refer to pages 8–16.
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References
Botha, T., Vrba, M., Smit, P.J. 2020.Management Principles: A contemporary edition
for Africa. 7th ed. Cape Town: Juta.
Smit, P.J., Botha, T & Vrba, M.J. 2016. Management principles: A contemporary edition
for Africa. 6th ed. Cape Town: Juta.
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