(Questions)Two paragraphs or more each question with at least 2 references.
Discussion 1
What is the "average" size of a law enforcement agency in America? Why is there so much variation in agency size? What are the largest police departments in the US? How does the percentage of officers employed by these agencies compare to the number of violent crime in each of the cities where they work as a percentage of crime in the country? How about the other end (small departments and small town crime rates)? Should there be an overall formula for determining how many police officers a city has? Why or why not?
Discussion 2
Is there an "average" ratio of personnel between sworn and non-sworn employees in a law enforcement agency? Should there be one? Why or why not? What sort of traditional police duties should civilian police employees be assigned?
Discussion 3
Why law enforcement agencies are considered "quasi-military" organizations? What are the criticisms of this style? What is "The Myth of the Military Model?" What do you see as the advantages and disadvantages to law enforcement agencies structured on a "quasi-military" model? Is there another model you think would be more in-tune with modern law enforcement philosophy? If so, what would that model be?
Discussion 4
If you were a police chief, how would you organize your department? For example, would it have many specialized units? What would they be and how would you determine that they were needed? Would your department have fewer or more rules, and why?