The new Greenfield police chief has asked Captain Blair to review and update the policy and procedure manual. The current manual is several inches thick, steeped in fine details, and includes rules and procedures for nearly every circumstance. It was initially modeled after a manual written in the 1960s for a large police department in another part of the country. Captain Blair knocks the dust off her copy of the manual and starts reading. She realizes that she hasn't read the entire manual since she was hired as an officer 20 years ago. Some language and policies in the manual are unrelated to the activities of the Greenfield Police Department. Captain Blair knows that most members of the department aren't familiar with all the policies and procedures in the manual and certainly aren't complying with them. Captain Blair notes that the policy on breaks at restaurants requires officers to sit facing the entrance door for officer safety. The policy regarding traffic stops requires officers to approach vehicles with their hand on their gun as they listen for noise from the trunk and visually check back seats. An entire section of the manual is devoted to riot control, something the Greenfield Police Department has never experienced.

A. Is a lengthy and detailed policy and procedure manuals enhance tight discipline?

B. Is a lengthy and detailed policy and procedure manuals protect departments from litigation?

C. What basic changes should Captain Blair consider if she rewrites the manual?

D. How should she change the tone or philosophy of the manual?

E. What is a good strategy for gaining officers' acceptance of a new manual?