Police organization and police officers

 

 

 

1. Organizational behavior and individual responsibility issues

 

 

 

1) Responsibility issues theorized in hierarchical or collective models

 

(1) Hierarchical model

 

① a. It well expresses the mindset widely held by police officers.

 

you. It is based on the fact that high-ranking officials have the authority and ability to supervise lower-ranking officials and that lower-ranking officials must adhere to the instructions of the higher-ranking officials, thereby maintaining the hierarchy of public offices.

 

② As long as they follow the orders of their superiors and the procedures of the organization, subordinates are not responsible for their actions, no matter how harmful the results may be.

 

③ Problem:

 

go. The point is that humans within a hierarchical organization are simply viewed as machines that follow instructions.

 

you. That these ideas lead to undesirable results in reality.

 

do. It ignores the fact that it is impossible for a person at the top of human ability to have complete control over any organization.

 

④ The hierarchical model completely denies the possibility of members acting differently within an organization, ignores the limits of human ability, and promotes a formalization of responsibility.

 

 

 

(2) Collective model

 

① Represents the thoughts citizens have about the police.

 

go. The actions of individual police officers are viewed as the actions of the entire police organization, that is, they become nothing more than collective actions according to the organizational structure.

 

you. Therefore, in terms of accountability, there is no choice but to blame the group itself rather than the specific members of the group that are not revealed.

 

② The area of responsibility is expanded, dispersing responsibility, and as a result, the responsibility of specific actors is drastically reduced or exempted, making it no longer the individual responsibility of anyone other than the structure.

 

③ Personal responsibility and basis: Even if the act was based on a coercive order, it was done with implicit consent, so even if it was a coercive or explicit order, individual responsibility for the act is attributed on the premise that the police officer was able to avoid it.

 

 

 

2) Gray area between command and discretion

 

(1) A case in which a subordinate, so to speak, ‘leads to the superior’ even though no order has been given, such as when the superior satisfies the subordinate’s expectation of an unjustified action.

 

① Even if the superior does not give any orders, the superior is responsible because he or she has approved the actions of the subordinate in advance.

 

② Subordinates are naturally responsible for their actions because they are their own.

 

 

 

3) Issues of responsibility for actions according to organizational practices

 

(1) All police officers have learned the laws and procedures in a democratic society and have the obligation to apply them in specific areas. Therefore, even if an act without legal basis is the dominant practice of the organization, they are not exempt from responsibility.

 

 

 

4) When the actor claims ignorance or mistake

 

(1) The actor's own mistake or ignorance: Since there are rules of conduct within the organization and a duty of care is imposed on each person to prevent mistakes or ignorance, the actor is not exempted from liability even if it is due to ignorance or mistake.

 

② When ignorance or mistake is caused by another person: The superior's ignorance is caused by the intentional actions of the subordinate. Since most organizational members must always be aware of the possibility of various types of wrong actions by subordinates in collective action, the superiors themselves must also be responsible for the consequences of such actions.

 

 

 

 

2. Police officers’ organizational life and interpersonal relationships

 

 

 

1) Human beings seek socially meaningful self-realization through their jobs, and therefore, police organizations have meaning as a place for police officers' self-realization.

 

(1) A desirable police officer’s attitude toward the job for self-actualization

 

① Honest and sincere attitude

 

② Active and positive attitude

 

③ Attitude to clearly distinguish between public and private spheres

 

④ Creative attitude

 

⑤ Forming smooth interpersonal relationships

 

⑥ Etiquette closely linked to smooth human relationships

 

 

 

2) Requirements for forming a desirable attitude within the life of a police organization

 

① Creating an atmosphere in which police officers who display sincere and honest attitudes are respected and treated preferentially.

 

② Creating an atmosphere for assertiveness, proactiveness, and creativity in the work itself, breaking away from the authoritarian management of the organization by superiors and the blind following of subordinates.

 

③ It is desirable that a police officer's life within the organization should be centered around public duties, and the phenomenon of entering the private sphere is not desirable. In the Korean organizational climate, if subordinates cannot refuse personal instructions from superiors, superiors should not make subordinates do private work. Self-restraint is needed.

 

④ In police organizations, upward etiquette is respected more than necessary, but downward etiquette is often ignored, and there are cases where private relationships are transferred to the public sphere and the public etiquette required by the organization is ignored. Courtesy is a sign of mutual respect and , you should know that it is directed horizontally or downwards.

 

⑤ In police organizations, smooth human relationships are distorted, that is, cases in which subordinates' right to choose in their private areas is not guaranteed for smooth human relationships. In this case, great care must be taken so that superiors do not put a burden on subordinates' private lives.

 

 

 

 

3. Private life of a police officer

 

 

 

1) Freedom of privacy

 

(1) The private area is an area comprised of private activities and is not directly related to public life as a community life.

 

(2) The right not to be disturbed in the free formation and development of private life, such as maintaining a peaceful private life, actively forming and developing private life in the way one wants, and not being disturbed or interfered with the autonomy of private life.

 

 

 

2) Self-related behavior (John Stuart Mill 1806-1873)

 

(1) The part of a person's life and actions that is done with the person's free, voluntary and genuine consent, even if it affects only the person or has relationships with other people. In other words, it is an area that has no influence on third parties other than me or the person who agreed with me.

 

The self-related sphere of action enables the development of an individual's individuality, and the development of this individuality brings freedom into existence, and respect for this individuality becomes the basis for the existence of individual freedom and the private sphere.

 

(2) Private area

 

① It appears differently depending on values and social culture, whether it is a private or public area.

 

② Appears differently depending on how value-related actions, indirect actions, and direct actions are set.

 

③ Individuals have the right to defend their private space from infringement by third parties such as the state, organizations, and individuals.

 

 

 

3) Ethical double standards

 

(1) This means that police officers and ordinary citizens have different standards for judging behavior, that is, double ethical standards are applied.

 

(2) Grounds for application of ethical double standards

 

① As people who are trusted by the public, police officers must always set an example to the public and follow the highest ethical standards even in their private lives, thereby becoming a symbol of social virtue.

 

② Since the police have a lot of discretion in carrying out their duties, this is for the proper exercise of this discretion.

 

③ The undesirable private lives of police officers undermine the authority of police officers and interfere with the performance of police duties.

 

 

 

4) Restrictions on the privacy of police officers

 

(1) It must be acknowledged that even if a private life is nothing more than a 'self-related act' for ordinary citizens, if a police officer engages in such a private life, it often becomes an act that indirectly affects ordinary citizens, and this sets an example for public officials even in their private lives. It means demanding to be seen → This example should not be hypocritical, and even if it is forced, it is not very desirable. This is because it is desirable for police officers to judge themselves as worthy of meeting the expectations of citizens and to act exemplary even in the realm of their private lives.

 

---

Summary

Hierarchical Model : Organizational theory emphasizing strict hierarchical structures and command, often leading to issues by ignoring human limitations.

 

Group Model : Perspective considering individual actions of police officers as representative of the entire organization, potentially reducing individual responsibility.

 

Ethical Dilemma: Situation involving conflicting moral principles where a choice must be made, often applied to situations where different standards are expected from police officers and civilians.

 

Personal Autonomy : John Stuart Mill's concept referring to actions affecting only oneself or those who voluntarily participate, excluding external interference.

 

Privacy Constraints : Limitations imposed on the private lives of police officers, recognizing the indirect impact their personal conduct may have on the public perception and authority of the police force.

---

Key Questions

 

organizational responsibility

 

In a hierarchical model of police organization, what is the basis for superiors being held responsible for the mistakes of subordinates?

Answer: Because subordinates have the right and obligation to follow the instructions of their superiors.

 

Organizational life and human relationships

 

What should superiors consider for smooth interpersonal relationships in a police organization?

Answer: Guaranteeing the choice of subordinates’ private areas

 

privacy

 

When does a police officer's private life indirectly affect ordinary citizens?

Answer: When a police officer's private life is inappropriate according to social norms or may damage the authority of the police.

 

---

 

1. The following is about the problems with the hierarchical model as a basis for attributing responsibility. What is not right?

 

(1) People in hierarchical organizations are viewed as machines that simply follow instructions.

 

(2) Ignoring the limits of human capabilities.

 

(3) The person at the top of the organization believes that complete control of the entire organization is impossible.

 

(4) It completely denies the possibility of members within the organization acting differently.

 

 The hierarchical model holds that the person at the top of human capabilities has complete control over all organizations.

It has the problem of ignoring the fact that it is impossible. Answer: (3)

 

 

 

2. The following is an explanation of the collective model of responsibility. What is not right?

 

(1) The problem of a certain behavior becomes a problem of structural defect rather than an individual problem.

 

(2) What it has in common with the hierarchical model is that it can formalize the problem of attributing responsibility for work.

 

(3) The scope of responsibility expands and everyone takes responsibility for problems.

 

(4) In organizational or customary matters, individuals can be excused.

 

 In this case, the scope of responsibility gradually widens and no one is fully responsible. As a result, this drastically reduces or exempts the responsibility of specific actors, making it the personal responsibility of no one other than the rescue. Answer: (3)

 

 

 

3. This is an explanation of a case where a subordinate ‘gives up to a superior’ even though no order has been given, such as a superior’s expectation of an unjustified action from the subordinate, which is met by the subordinate. What is not right?

 

(1) Superiors are not responsible for their actions.

 

(2) Subordinates are naturally responsible for their actions because they are their own.

 

(3) Both superiors and subordinates must be held responsible for ‘intentional actions.’

 

(4) Even if they had no choice, there is no change in the situation or acceptance of the claim.

 

 In the above case, the principle of individual responsibility is not excluded. This can be seen as a case where a superior gives discretion to a subordinate based on trust, and the superior must be responsible for the subordinate's actions due to that trust. In other words, even if the superior did not give any orders, he or she must be held responsible because he or she approved the actions of the subordinate in advance. Answer: (1)

 

 

4. If a superior in a police organization meets an expectation of unreasonable behavior from a subordinate, who is responsible?

 

(1) Only superiors (2) Only subordinates (3) Both superiors and subordinates (4) Not responsible

 

Explanation: Even if a superior does not give an order to a subordinate, the subordinate is responsible for meeting the superior's expectations because it is not the subordinate's free will. Answer: (2)

 

 

5. If a member of a police organization commits an act without legal basis in accordance with the organization's dominant practices, who is responsible?

 

(1) organization (2) members (3) superiors (4) subordinates

 

Explanation: If a member of an organization commits an act without legal basis in accordance with the organization's dominant practices, the act can be viewed as the organization's responsibility. Answer: (1)

 

 

6. If a member of a police organization commits an act without legal basis in accordance with the organization's orders, who is responsible?

 

(1) organization (2) members (3) superiors (4) subordinates

 

Explanation: If a member of a police organization commits an act without legal basis in accordance with the organization's orders, the act can be viewed as the member's responsibility. However, if the situation was such that a member could not refuse an order, the superior may be partly responsible. Answer: (2)