Collective discipline – founded on groups or teams
Explain the need for Discipline in at least two Public Services.
Fire Service.
Operations at fires and other emergency scenes require quick reaction and strict discipline, this method of operation has little application to the daily routine in the fire station. Yet what the report refers to as "command power" is kept in place for "activities that require leadership and management, rather than automatic obedience to orders." As a consequence, it might also have been noted, fire officers therefore do not are not required to learn how good management skills, nor do they routinely have the opportunity to do so, either by observation or by formal training.
Insufficient attention has been given to ensuring that those women who become fire fighters stay in their jobs. The problems they face are well known and vary from sexual harassment to inadequate toilet and changing facilities and accommodation.
At a meeting with the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority convened by the Commission for Racial Equality with representatives of the Fire Policy Unit, Fire Service Inspectorate, the LGA and GLA and the EOC it was agreed that the Fire Service Discipline Code was no longer an effective management tool for dealing with issues of harassment and bullying in the work place.
*** What happened during the 1977 strike?
Some 30,000 workers were involved in that strike which lasted for nine weeks.
People were encouraged to keep buckets of sand and water at home and fire brigades issued safety guides to cut the risk of fires.
A total of 10,000 Army, Navy and RAF personnel manned fleets of Green Goddesses on the streets to tackle emergencies.
As the strike continued into the winter, stories emerged of how the well-disciplined military were not equipped to deal with the big emergencies.
The fire fighters finally agreed to settle for a 10% pay rise with guarantees of future increases and they went back to work on 16 January. ***
Small article taken from the Fire Brigades Union website which just points out the fact of how well disciplined the military are.
Royal Air Force.
The RAF is a military organisation, with all the implications that go with this - standards are high and maintained by a military hierachy and code of discipline. Life is nomadic and can be hectic - the RAF does not pay over-time no matter how many hours are worked (compared to the Fire Brigade).
Disciplinary code of The Police Service.
- Improper discharge of information
- Improper practice
- Racially discriminatory behaviour
- Abuse of authority
- Improper dress/neglect of health
- Criminal conduct
Discreditable conduct.
IE: A Police Officer accepts an alcoholic drink from the Landlord while investigating a break in to a pub. Problem ?
- misconduct towards a member of the Police Service
- Harassment
- Victimisation
- Assault
- neglect of duty
- falsehood of prevarication
- evidence tampering
- false confessions
- lying under oath
Discipline
Discreditable behaviour.
- called to pub – after hours drinking. Had a drink and became incapable of fulfilling duty.
- Officer allowed himself to be handcuffed to railings
- misconduct towards fellow officers.
- A) harassment
- B) victimisation
- C) plain assault
- D) physical, mental and verbal abuse/assault
- written
- verbal
Criminal escapes justice – you could be blamed for not following orders
Absent without leave AWOL
Getting orders to do shifts
- Carelessness – you cant afford to be careless
- Falsehood
Planting evidence. Dishonesty
- improper disclosure of evidence/info
Talking to the wrong people (Blackmail)
Using rank etc to get your won way
Racism, sexism, ageism. BIG Problems
- improper dress and untidiness
Shuns the Service. Injustice
Could result in problems
- Damage to Police property
Responsible to uniform/car etc
- Drunkenness and drug abuse
Breaking the law you enforce
- entering unscented premises
Bearing Queens Commission. In uniform. Wrong
If missed off application, straight out. No job.
Authority.
Task two
Briefly describe the main features of conformity and obedience.
Conformity
What do we mean by conformity?
Conformity means changing your behaviour and ideas so that they are the same as the group or people we are with.
In any society there are certain NORMS. Which shape the way people are expected to act in any given situation.
If we do not conform to those norms (accepted behaviours) we are labelled as an ‘outsider’.
Norms are things such as:- wearing clothes, eating breakfast and the majority of people today have mobile phones. These are things we do on a day to day basis.
The reasons why people conform is because they have a fear that they will be rejected by a group or people they know. They usually have a low self esteem and they lack in confidence.
To conform to a certain idea. To agree and do what it says.
Obedience – good discipline – the best you can do.
conformity – conforming with established practices. Agreement suitability.
Obedience – obeying or ready to obey. Submissive to another will. They do what they are told.
Identify and explain three factors which influence conformity and three factors which influence obedience.
