The discipline matrix is a practical method of understanding the reasons officers are typified by misconduct issues, and it lays a platform on which to develop alternatives to improve the conduct of the affected population. The management can utilize the tool to respond when officers have committed acts that are contrary to their job specifications (Harkin, 2015). The tool can be applied to help the management and followers comprehend the consequences of violating professional rules. The matrix is designed in a way that it shows action plans as well as penalties for violations. If applied appropriately, the management strategy can achieve fewer cases of indiscipline among officers (Quinney & Shelden, 2018).
Mediation is one of the best approaches to resolving issues across organizations. Concerning the misconduct of officers when handling issues with citizens, mediation can be effective when all parties agree to be honest and respectful to others. The method has been used in the past years to conduct community policing in many countries around the world. It is important to underscore the role community policing achieves in societies, which is reducing the gap between community members and law enforcement officers (Harkin, 2015). In a society that embraces community policing, citizens appreciate being heard while law-enforcement officers get opportunities to give their side of the story. I agree with you that the author of the article you read and analyzed did a wonderful job to present alternative ways to punishment in the current criminal justice systems around the world (Harkin, 2015).
If I were the chief of the police department, I would recommend mediation as a form of the alternative method of discipline to the officers who killed the mentally ill man that was holding a gun before he was shot. The officers think that their lives, as well as those of the public, were threatened by the gunman. On the other hand, people in surroundings knew the man as mentally ill. If the police and people in the community talk in an honest way, they can resolve the issue.
References
- Harkin, D. M. (2015). The police and punishment: Understanding the pains of policing. Theoretical Criminology, 19(1), 43-58.
- Quinney, R., & Shelden, R. G. (2018). Critique of the legal order: Crime control in capitalist society. New York, NY: Routledge.