Law enforcement officials are constantly exposed to physical hazards that extend beyond the scope of managerial risks. The unique challenge of ensuring public and police officers’ safety requires a thoughtful approach to organizational structure. Therefore, determining the right span of management is critical to mitigating physical hazards in law enforcement. In such an organization, therefore, maintaining a narrow span of control is crucial to creating a cohesive and motivated team. Hence, police administrators who prefer a narrow control span can effectively communicate with their subordinates and respond to situations threatening safety. Thus, a narrow span of control is desired in law enforcement owing to a heightened safety risk.
A police administrator should maintain a small span of management ranging between 5 to 10 subordinates. According to Cordner (2016), a span of management or control is the number of subordinates managers can effectively supervise. Several factors determine the optimal span of management. The key influencing factors are the type of work, task complexity, and the administrators’ leadership style. A span of management is a critical issue in law enforcement owing to task complexity and the need for coordination among officers and their supervisors. Officers also require closer supervision as their high-risk tasks necessitate them to adhere to established protocols. Therefore, a small span of management is vital to fostering effectiveness and efficiency.
As a police administrator, I prefer a narrow span of control. Therefore, I would effectively manage five police officers. Since police work is challenging and risky, maintaining a limited control span is pertinent to fostering efficiency. This aligns with the Miami-Dade Police report that argues that span-of-control decisions are necessary to create streamlined and efficient organizational structures (Gimemez, 2018). I would opt to maintain a narrow span of control since officers undertake complex job functions. Police officers regularly interact with the public while in the line of duty. These professionals regularly respond to public crises and make ethical decisions based on individual circumstances. Thus, a narrower span of control is pertinent to maintaining regular contact with subordinates.
I also prefer a narrow span of control to manage risks associated with policing. Lane (2024) explains that all organizations suffer internal and external risks in their quest to provide services to the public. However, police officers suffer a unique risk presented in the form of physical hazards to employees, the public, and their property. Therefore, a narrow span of control is an effective way of mitigating this risk, as I can guide and mentor my subordinates to handle hazards effectively. Maintaining a narrow span of control also enables me to quickly communicate with my subordinates and promptly respond to their concerns when they encounter situations that expose them to physical risk.
Overall, I would maintain a narrow span of management involving five subordinates. Police administrators are tasked with making span-of-control decisions as these are necessary for creating streamlined and efficient organizational structures. Therefore, I would opt for a narrow span of control as this is key to being an efficient supervisor. A narrow span of management would allow me to effectively respond to officer needs and promptly provide guidance during challenging times. Therefore, a narrow span of control fosters efficiency and heightens officer safety and public well-being. As a police administrator, maintaining a narrow control span is vital to providing individualized mentorship and training and ensuring team cohesiveness.
References
Cordner, G. W. (2016). Police administration. New York: Routledge.
Gimemez, C. A. (2018). Span of control information. Retrieved from: https://www.miamidade.gov/budget/library/fy2018-19/span-of-control-information.pdf
Lane, T. (2024). Span of control for law enforcement agencies. Police Chief. Retrieved from: https://www.policechiefmagazine.org/span-of-control-for-law-enforcement-agencies/
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