Roles, Middle Managers

The role of the middle manager in community policing and problem solving is instrumental to the successful implementation of that philosophy in any police agency. Middle management in law enforcement agencies typically includes lieutenants, captains, and their civilian employee counterparts in administration, dispatch, and records divisions. Middle managers are normally responsible for commanding such functions as patrol watches, tactical units, detective units or divisions, and some that are sensitive or specialized, such as internal affairs. Middle managers report directly to upper management personnel, such as deputy chiefs, majors, and lieutenant colonels. They immediately supervise first-line supervisors such as sergeants and corporals and have direct contact with beat officers and detectives. This entry discusses the redefined roles of middle managers under community policing.