Operation of a Police Merit System

Abstract

IN many American cities, large and small, recruitment and discipline of police is conducted by local or state civil service commissions. Placing responsibility for such important personnel activities apart from police force directly concerned creates serious problems not only for internal relationships within department but also in quality of police service rendered to community. The inconsistency in having a law enforcement agency that is responsible for protecting lives and property of persons within a specific area but is not responsible for selection and complete control of its personnel has become so apparent that police leaders are demanding that steps be taken to give them administrative control over police personnel policies. That police departments are capable of performing their own personnel functions has been demonstrated repeatedly. The manner in which such a merit system functions is illustrated by procedures adopted by Detroit Police Department. Until present system was set up, its personnel practices had fluctuated greatly from year to year. But beginning with 1939 a marked improvement occurred, which since has been enlarged from time to time. In spring of 1941 a new charter amendment was submitted to and approved by voters of Detroit. The procedures for recruiting and promotion established during two years immediately preceding were continued and fortified. The major difference is that complete control for personnel activities-recruiting, promotion, and retirement-is now vested in police commissioner. An appeal board, composed of deputy commissioner of poc , president of civil service commission, and corporation counsel of city, does not establish policies r procedures but does have the right f review over requirements and results of any and all examinations for patrolman or policewoman on sufficient cause shown; also for promotions to and including rank of lieutenant or its present equivalent; and the right of review over all retirements of police officers where it shall appear that retirement is not made in good faith or for good of service. As a result of this right of review, police commissioner must follow recognized p r onnel procedures which conform with merit principle.