Discussion 1
Prior
to beginning work on this discussion, read Chapter 1 in your textbook, the
Spencer (2013) and MacKenzie (2000) articles, and view the Ferguson
Police Testing New, Less Lethal Gun TechnologyLinks to an external site. and Budget
Cuts Put State Prison Staffs at Critically Low LevelsLinks to an external site. videos.
The numerous issues that
arise in large organizations regarding decision making can be difficult to
properly grasp. There are those leaders who base their conclusions solely on
empirical data, preferring to engage in a more quantitative decision-making
process. Conversely, there are supervisors who approach decision making from a
more holistic perspective, engaging in more qualitative thought processes. It
is a reality, especially in budgeting and issues affecting criminal justice
agencies, that quantitative decision making takes precedent. However, better
conclusions are often drawn when qualitative aspects of a problem or issue are
also considered.
Based on information from
the required sources, compare and contrast the differences between quantitative
and qualitative decision making in public finance. Based on the required
videos, provide at least two quantitative and qualitative observations.
In addition to noting the
differences between quantitative and qualitative observations, respond to the
following elements:
·        
Explain which basic method of decision making you feel provides
the most accurate information for budget management; quantitative or
qualitative.
·        
Analyze both qualitative and quantitative-based budgetary
decision making and describe your preference between the two provided you were
in a position of power. Provide a rationale for your preference.
·        
Explain the potential benefits of quantitative observations.
·        
Explain the potential benefits of qualitative observations.
Your initial post should
be at least 400 words in length.
Discussion 2
oo often policy makers
confound leadership with management. The two can be, and often are, quite
dissimilar.
In the City of New
Orleans immediately after Hurricane Katrina, a variety of political and local
managers and leaders congregated in the Central Business District in an effort
to arrive at a consensus as to the wisest course of action. Among those present
was Michael Brown, the director of FEMA, Ray Nagin, the Mayor of New Orleans,
and various state politicians. No action plan could be developed as each
respective politician was so focused on their own needs that they soon became
blinded to effective alternatives. Added to those problems were the combined
effects of serious deficiencies in communication and coordination of rescue
efforts.
Consider the information
provided in your required sources for this discussion and include the following
elements in your initial post:
·        
Explain the major characteristics of leadership. Describe the
primary traits of management.
·        
According to the five functions of management developed by Henri
Fayol, explain the ways in which the response to Hurricane Katrina failed.
·        
Evaluate the financial constraints that affected the situation
at the time and describe which organization or individual you believe offered
the most effective leadership after the storm. Provide a rationale supporting
your statements with evidence from the required readings.
Your initial post should
be at least 400 words in length.
Discussion 3
Prior
to beginning work on this discussion, read Chapters 4 and 5 in the textbook.
The
ideas of quality assurance and control can often appear quite clear and salient
with respect to corporations and private businesses. However, rarely does one
hear direct conversation about these concepts concerning the functions of law
enforcement and corrections. It almost seems like a misnomer to hear of
“quality assurance and control” when discussing aspects of a law enforcement or
correctional organization. Despite the fact that it might appear on the surface
as though issues of quality assurance and control are absent from law
enforcement and corrections, the opposite is actually true.
Law
enforcement and correctional agencies spend a great deal of time and money
devising innovative plans to offer a better product to the general public.
Programs such as community policing and problem-oriented policing are but two
mechanisms through which law enforcement leaders have attempted to increase
quality in their organizations. Within correctional organizations, programs
aimed at mental health treatment, work programs, and educational offerings have
been created in an effort to provide a better quality product.
Based on your required readings, examine how the concepts of quality assurance
and control are addressed in a law enforcement or correctional organization of
your choice. In your post, identify your chosen organization. Explain the
issues pertaining to budgetary considerations and how those affect
communication, ethics, and coordination. Analyze how the respective
organization’s leaders ensured that their agency provided a quality product to
the general public. In addition, provide an example of how a law enforcement
agency or correctional organization failed to provide a quality product.
Describe what the agency did, or failed to do, to ensure quality control and
assurance.
Your
initial post should be at least 400 words in length.
Discussion 4
Prior to beginning work
on this discussion, read Chapter 5 in the textbook in addition to the Ridgeway
(2014) article.
The practice of
benchmarking has been defined as, “a structured approach for identifying
the best practices from industry and government, and comparing and adapting
them to the organization’s operations” (Doss, 2012). Benchmarking and the
noting of best practices by leaders and policy makers within the fields of law
enforcement and corrections can be essential for a host of financial purposes.
Organizational grants are often based on benchmarks as are policy development
and training practices.
Carefully consider the
information provided in your required sources for this discussion and include
the following elements in your initial post:
·        
Explain how a SWOT analysis would enable a law enforcement or
correctional agency to better benchmark itself against other similar
organizations.
·        
Explain the ways a SWOT analysis would contribute to an agency’s
strategic plan.
·        
Analyze the ramifications of a SWOT analysis and benchmarking
for an organization’s budgetary requirements.
Your initial post should
be at least 400 words in length.