On

Law Enforcement Organization and Administration Review Questions 1


1. Which administrative acronym represents the functions of management as defined by Luther Gulick?

A. CPM

B. SMART

C. SWOT

D. POSDCORB


Answer: D. This stands for Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Directing, Coordinating, Reporting, and Budgeting.



2. Which principle dictates that every employee should be accountable to only one supervisor?

A. Scalar principle

B. Unity of command

C. Span of control

D. Chain of command


Answer: B. This principle ensures clear reporting lines and prevents conflicting orders from multiple superiors.



3. What term describes the number of subordinates that a manager can effectively supervise?

A. Line of authority

B. Span of control

C. Area of responsibility

D. Unity of direction


Answer: B. It defines the limit of the number of subordinates one person can manage to maintain efficiency and safety.



4. In a police agency, which units are directly responsible for achieving the primary goals of the organization?

A. Staff units

B. Line units

C. Administrative units

D. Auxiliary units


Answer: B. These units, such as patrol and investigation, perform the actual fieldwork of law enforcement.



5. What is the process of distributing tasks and authority from a superior to a subordinate?

A. Centralization

B. Commanding

C. Delegation

D. Supervising


Answer: C. This allows managers to assign responsibility and authority to lower-level employees to improve efficiency.



6. Which organizational principle involves a clear hierarchy of authority from top to bottom?

A. Equitable distribution

B. Discretionary authority

C. Scalar principle

D. Functional principle


Answer: C. It establishes a vertical 'ladder' of authority, ensuring every position has a specific rank.



7. Which function in POSDCORB involves the continuous task of making decisions and embodying them in specific orders?

A. Reporting

B. Planning

C. Directing

D. Coordinating


Answer: C. Directing is the active process of leading, instructing, and issuing orders to subordinates.



8. Who is credited with the concept of 'Bureaucracy' as a highly efficient organizational form?

A. Frederick Taylor

B. Henri Fayol

C. Douglas McGregor

D. Max Weber


Answer: D. Weber defined the ideal bureaucracy characterized by hierarchy, rules, and impersonal relationships.



9. What is the primary purpose of 'staff' units in a large law enforcement organization?

A. Making arrests

B. Directing operations

C. Advising line units

D. Conducting patrol


Answer: C. Staff units provide specialized advice, technical support, and research to help line officers perform their duties.



10. The line of authority extending from top management to lower levels is known as:

A. Span of control

B. Unity of command

C. Chain of command

D. Delegation


Answer: C 

Explanation: The chain of command is the formal line of authority that extends from the highest level of management down through each successive level of the organization. It establishes who reports to whom and clarifies the flow of authority and responsibility.


Memorize or Familiarize


A. Span of control – Refers to the number of employees a manager directly supervises.

B. Unity of command – The principle that each employee should receive orders from only one supervisor.

C. Chain of command – The line of authority extending from top management to lower organizational levels.

D. Delegation – The process of assigning authority and responsibility to subordinates.



11. In administrative hierarchy, which organizational structure represents the largest functional subdivision of a government department, usually headed by a Director or Chief?

A. Division

B. Unit

C. Bureau

D. Section


Answer: C. Bureau

Explanation: A Bureau is a primary, principal subdivision of a government department or executive agency (e.g., Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology). It holds broad functional responsibilities and is higher in rank than divisions, sections, and units.



12. In standard police organizational structure, which level is immediately subordinate to a Bureau or Department and is responsible for a specific major functional area such as Patrol, Investigation, or Logistics?

A. Section

B. Division

C. Unit

D. Squad


Answer: B. Division

Explanation: A Division is a primary subunit of a bureau or department created to handle major specific operational or administrative functions (e.g., Investigation Division, Patrol Division).



13. Within a police department's organizational setup, a Section is primarily defined as:

A. The smallest functional element designed for specific field tasks

B. The highest administrative authority in a law enforcement agency

C. A subdivision of a Division responsible for a specialized area of work

D. A temporary task force created for a special operation


Answer: C. A subdivision of a Division responsible for a specialized area of work

Explanation: A Section is a subunit under a Division designed to handle specialized tasks within that division's broader scope (e.g., Homicide Section under the Investigation Division).



14. Which of the following represents the smallest functional element within a police organization, usually tasked with specific line or staff duties?

A. Unit

B. Division

C. Bureau

D. Section


Answer: A. Unit

Explanation: A Unit is the smallest basic functional subgrouping within a police structure (often under a Section) dedicated to highly specific operational or administrative duties (e.g., Evidence Unit, Fingerprint Unit).



15. Arrange the following police organizational subdivisions in descending order (from largest to smallest hierarchy):

1. Section

2. Bureau

3. Unit

4. Division


A. 2 – 1 – 4 – 3

B. 2 – 4 – 1 – 3

C. 4 – 2 – 1 – 3

D. 1 – 4 – 2 – 3


Answer: B. 2 – 4 – 1 – 3

Explanation: The standard organizational hierarchy from highest to lowest echelon is Bureau (2), Division (4), Section (1), Unit (3).



16. If the PNP Crime Laboratory is treated as a major administrative body, under which organizational level would the Fingerprint Identification Unit directly report if it is a specialized sub-grouping under the Crime Scene Investigation Section of the Physical Identification Division?

A. Bureau level

B. Division level

C. Section level

D. Unit level


Answer: D. Unit level

Explanation: Since it performs a specific micro-level technical task (fingerprint identification) under a Section, it operates at the Unit level, which is the lowest functional tier in the hierarchy.



17. Under the PNP Lateral Entry Program, which group of technical professionals enters with an initial rank lower than that of a PNP Chaplain?

A. Lawyers

B. Medical Doctors

C. Dentists

D. Imams and Priests


Answer: C. Dentists

Explanation: The general baseline rank for lateral entry for technical service officers (such as dentists, nurses, criminologists, engineers, and IT specialists) is Police Lieutenant (formerly Police Inspector). In contrast, chaplains, lawyers, and medical doctors enter one step higher at the rank of Police Captain. 



18. Under Republic Act No. 6975, which legal avenue allows specialized professionals—such as Chaplains—to directly enter the PNP officer corps as Commissioned Officers rather than starting from the lowest entry rank?

A. Regular Recruitment

B. Lateral Entry

C. Field Promotion

D. Special Reinstatement


Answer: B. Lateral Entry

Explanation: Lateral Entry is the appointment process that allows technical specialists (e.g., chaplains, legal officers, doctors, criminologists) to directly join the PNP Police Commissioned Officer (PCO) corps at an initial rank corresponding to their professional qualification, bypassing the usual entry rank of Patrolman/Patrolwoman or Police Lieutenant.  



19. Which presidential decree, enacted on August 8, 1975, established the Philippine Constabulary / Integrated National Police (PC/INP)?

A. PD 482

B. PD 421

C. PD 765

D. RA 541


Answer: C. 

Presidential Decree No. 765 (PD 765) was issued on August 8, 1975, by President Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines. This decree established and integrated the Integrated National Police (INP) under the Philippine Constabulary (PC), forming the combined organization frequently referred to as the PC/INP.


PD 482: Created the Integration of Police Forces (earlier groundwork before PD 765).


PD 421: Integrated police, fire, and jail services in the Metropolitan Manila area.


RA 541: An Act created much earlier (1950) regarding pension/gratuity for police and fire department members.



20. What is the composition of NAPOLCOM?

A. 1 Chairman, 1 Vice Chairman, 4 Commissioners and 1 ex officio member

B. 1 Chairman, 1 Vice Chairman, 3 Commissioners and 1 ex officio member

C. 1 Chairman, 1 Vice Chairman, 2 Commissioners and 1 ex officio member

D. 1 Chairman, 1 Vice Chairman, 1 Commissioner  and 1 ex officio member


Answer: B.

Explanation:

Under Republic Act No. 6975 (as amended by Republic Act No. 8551, the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998), the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) is composed of:   

1. 1 Ex-Officio Chairperson: The Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).   

2. 4 Regular Commissioners:

- 1 Vice Chairperson & Executive Officer: Designated/chosen from among the regular commissioners representing the civilian sector.   

- 3 Regular Commissioners: The remaining regular members (two from the civilian sector and one from the law enforcement sector).   

3. 1 Ex-Officio Member: The Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).   


When breaking down the total composition by role, it consists of:

- 1 Chairperson (Ex-officio)   

- 1 Vice Chairperson (Chosen from the 4 regular commissioners)   

- 3 Regular Commissioners (The remaining regular commissioners)   

- 1 Ex-Officio Member (Chief, PNP)   

(Total = 6 members en banc)



21. Which law transferred the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) and the National Police Training Institute (NPTI) from the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC) to the Philippine National Police (PNP)?

A. RA 11276

B. RA 11277

C. RA 11278

D. RA 11279


Answer: D.

Republic Act No. 11279 (signed into law on April 12, 2019) is titled "An Act Transferring the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) and the National Police Training Institute (NPTI) from the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC) to the Philippine National Police (PNP)".



22. What term describes the legitimate right or power granted to an individual or office to make decisions, issue orders, and enforce compliance based on rank or position?

A. Cooperation

B. Doctrine

C. Authority

D. Discipline


Answer: C. Authority

Explanation: 

Authority specifically refers to the formal, legitimate right or power given to a person or position within an organization to lead, make decisions, and compel compliance due to their rank or status.



23. When members of a group work together collaboratively toward a shared objective rather than exercising power over one another, they are demonstrating:

A. Cooperation

B. Authority

C. Doctrine

D. Discipline


Answer: A. Cooperation

Explanation: 

Cooperation is defined as working together toward a common goal through joint effort, rather than issuing commands or exercising hierarchical rank.



24. Which concept refers to an established body of principles, beliefs, or teachings held and taught by an organization or group?

A. Discipline

B. Doctrine

C. Authority

D. Cooperation


Answer: B. Doctrine

Explanation: 

A doctrine represents the foundational set of beliefs, guidelines, or principles taught and upheld by a group, institution, or organization to guide its official practices or ideology.



25. A continuous practice or structured training program designed to cultivate obedience, self-control, and orderliness in individuals is best known as:

A. Authority

B. Doctrine

C. Cooperation

D. Discipline


Answer: D. Discipline

Explanation: 

Discipline focuses on training, practice, and routine aimed at instilling orderliness, self-restraint, and adherence to rules or standards.




26. An executive approves budgets and assigns work, while team members work together to complete the project. The executive is exercising __________, and the team members are demonstrating __________.

A. Discipline; Doctrine

B. Authority; Cooperation

C. Doctrine; Authority

D. Cooperation; Discipline


Answer: B. Authority; Cooperation

Explanation: 

The executive uses Authority because they hold the positional power to make decisions and give directions. The team members engage in Cooperation because they are working collaboratively together toward a shared project goal.



27. It is the right to exercise, decide, and command by virtue of rank and position.

A. Cooperation

B. Doctrine

C. Authority

D. Discipline


Answer: C.

Explanation:

Authority is defined as the legitimate right or power granted to an individual (or office) by virtue of their rank, status, or position within an organization or system to make decisions, issue orders, and enforce compliance.


Cooperation refers to working together toward a common goal, not commanding or exercising power by rank.


Doctrine refers to a body of principles or beliefs taught and held by an organization or group.


Discipline refers to practice or training that produces obedience, self-control, or orderliness.


Comparative Models in Policing Review Questions 1