Policing In America

  Find a local law enforcement agency for whom you would consider working. Research all aspects of the agency. For that employer, answer these questions: What is the agency / organization - describe it in detail What responsibilities and/or duties does this agency fulfill? Does the agency have the fiscal resources to fulfill those duties and what is their source of funding? Discuss the budget specifically. What is the mission statement of the agency; how many employees does this agency have? Is the agency at full strength or are they seeking to fill positions by hiring? If they are hiring, what are the reasons for the vacancies? Does the makeup of the agency represent the community they serve (race, ethnicity, etc...)? Please discuss demographic data that you are able to locate for this jurisdiction and how this compares to the demographics of the officers at the agency. What is the entry level position that you would seek with this agency? is the position sworn or non-sworn? What are the requirements of the position? minimum age for sworn positions physical (requirements for entry into either the position or any training academy / program) educational (minimum education for new employees in this position) is there any civil service or another entry-examination requirement?
The San Francisco Police Department: What is the agency / organization - describe it in detail The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) is the primary law enforcement agency for the city and county of San Francisco, California. It is responsible for providing police services to a population of over 875,000 people. The SFPD has a long and storied history, dating back to 1849. It is one of the most respected and well-regarded police departments in the country. What responsibilities and/or duties does this agency fulfill? The SFPD is responsible for a wide range of law enforcement duties, including:
  • Patrolling the streets
  • Responding to calls for service
  • Investigating crimes
  • Making arrests
  • Providing traffic enforcement
  • Serving warrants
  • Protecting the public
Does the agency have the fiscal resources to fulfill those duties and what is their source of funding? Discuss the budget specifically. The SFPD has a budget of over $600 million. The majority of its funding comes from the city's general fund. The SFPD also receives funding from the federal government, as well as from fines and fees. What is the mission statement of the agency; how many employees does this agency have? The mission statement of the SFPD is to "protect and serve the people of San Francisco with integrity, fairness, and respect." The SFPD has over 2,500 sworn officers and over 1,000 civilian employees. Is the agency at full strength or are they seeking to fill positions by hiring? If they are hiring, what are the reasons for the vacancies? The SFPD is currently seeking to fill a number of positions, including sworn officers, civilian dispatchers, and civilian records clerks. The reasons for the vacancies vary, but they include retirements, resignations, and promotions. Does the makeup of the agency represent the community they serve (race, ethnicity, etc...)? Please discuss demographic data that you are able to locate for this jurisdiction and how this compares to the demographics of the officers at the agency. The demographics of the SFPD do not perfectly represent the demographics of the city. The city is about 50% white, while the SFPD is about 30% white. The city is also about 40% Asian, while the SFPD is about 20% Asian. The SFPD is working to recruit more officers from underrepresented communities. What is the entry level position that you would seek with this agency? is the position sworn or non-sworn? The entry level position that I would seek with the SFPD is a sworn officer position. This is a position where I would have the authority to carry a firearm and make arrests. What are the requirements of the position? The requirements of the sworn officer position are:
  • Minimum age of 21
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • U.S. citizenship
  • Clear background check
  • Passing the physical fitness test
  • Passing the written exam
  • Passing the oral interview
  • Successful completion of the police academy
minimum age for sworn positions The minimum age for sworn positions in the SFPD is 21. physical (requirements for entry into either the position or any training academy / program) The physical requirements for the SFPD police academy include:
  • Passing a physical fitness test that includes a 1.5-mile run, push-ups, sit-ups, and a bench press
  • Passing a swimming test
educational (minimum education for new employees in this position) The minimum education requirement for new employees in the sworn officer position is a high school diploma or equivalent. is there any civil service or another entry-examination requirement? Yes, there is a civil service exam requirement for the sworn officer position in the SFPD. The exam is administered by the San Francisco Department of Human Resources.

Sample Solution

The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) is the primary law enforcement agency for the city and county of San Francisco, California.