Operational Planning

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Date Prepared January, 19, 2021
Republic of the Philippines
MARINDUQUE STATE COLLEGE
SCHOOL OF GOVERNANCE
Panfilo Manguera Sr. Rd., Tanza, Boac, Marinduque 4900 (Main Campus)
Tel. No.: (042) 332-03-23 Email Address: msc_icje@yahoo.com
Website: w w w .mscmarinduque.edu.ph
CHAPTER I
POLICE OPERATIONAL PLANNING
Police administrators sometimes do not appreciate the importance of planning because of
the pattern of career development. It is ironic that the pattern of career development for typical
police managers carries with it seeds that sometimes blossom into a negative view of planning.
However, planning is an integral element of good management and good decision-making.
Management needs to anticipate and shape events; it is weak if it merely responds to them.
What is a Plan?
A plan is an organize schedule or sequence by methodical activities intended to attain a goal and
objectives for the accomplishment of mission or assignment. It is a method or way of doing
something in order to attain objectives. Plan provides answer to 5W’s and 1 H.
What is Planning?
Hudzik and Cordner defined planning as “thinking about the future, thinking about what we want
the future would be, and thinking about what we need to do now to achieve it.”
Planning is a management function concerned with visualizing future situations, making
estimates concerning them, identifying issues, needs and potential danger points, analyzing and
evaluating the alternative ways and means for reaching desired goals according to a certain
schedule, estimating the necessary funds, and resources to do the work, and initiating action in
time to prepare what may be needed to cope with the changing conditions and contingent events.
What is Police Planning?
Police Planning is an attempt by police administrators in trying to allocate anticipated
resources to meet anticipated service demands. It is the systematic and orderly determination of
facts and events as basis for policy formulation and decision affecting law enforcement
management.
What is Operational Planning?
Operational Planning is the use of rational design or pattern for all departmental
undertaking rather than relying on change in an operational environment. It is the preparation
and development of procedures and techniques in accomplishing of each of the primary tasks and
functions of an organization.
What is Police Operational Planning?
Police Operational Planning is the act of determining policies and guidelines for police
activities and operations and providing controls and safeguards for such activities and operations
in the department. It may also be the process of formulating coordinated sequence of methodical
activities and allocation of resources to the line units of the police organization for the attainment
of the mandated objectives or goals.

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Date Prepared January, 19, 2021
Objectives are a specific commitment to achieve a measurable result within a specific
period of time. Goals are general statement of intention and typically with time horizon, or it is
an achievable end state that can be measured and observed. Making choices about goals is one of
the most important aspects of planning. Relate this definition with their description as defined in
chapter one.
Strategy - a broad design or method or a plan to attain a stated goal or objective.
Tactics - are specific design, method or a course of action to attain a particular objective in
consonance with strategy.
Procedures - are sequences of activities to reach a point or to attain what is desired.
Policy - a course of action which could be a program of actions adopted by an individual, group,
organization or government or the set of principles on which they are based.
Case operational plan (COPLAN) - a definite target - specific activity conducted in relation to
an intelligence project under which it is affected. Several case operations may fall under one
intelligence project.- refers to a preparatory plan on how to carry out a case operation which is
the last resort to pursue intelligence objectives when normal police operations fail.
Command post/holding area - area where case conferences, briefings and debriefings are being
conducted by the responding agencies.
Dragnet operation - is a police operation purposely to seal off the probable exit points of fleeing
suspect from the crime scene to prevent their escape.
Management or Administrative Functions
1. Planning
2. Organizing
3. Directing
4. Controlling
5. Staffing
6. Reporting
7. Budgeting
Guidelines in Planning
1. What - mission/objective
2. Why - reason/philosophy
3. When - date/time
4. Where - place
5. How - strategy/methods

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Date Prepared January, 19, 2021
Characteristics of a Good Plan
1. A Plan must have a clearly defined objective
2. A Plan must be simple, direct and clear
3. A Plan must be flexible
4. A Plan must be attainable
5. A Plan must provide standards of operation
6. A Plan must be economical in terms of resources needed for implementation.
Types of Plan
1. Procedural/Policy Plan
2. Operational Plan
3. Tactical Plan
4. Administrative/Management Plan
5. Extra-Departmental Plan