Listed below are several administrative duties and a method of accomplishing each duty. While the duties are all correct, only one method of performing the duty is correct. It is:

• A. To see that discipline is maintained by adhering to a set of rules without deviation of any kind in any case
• B. To see that there is unity of command by making every person directly responsible and answerable to the chief
• C. To see that there is competent and vigorous management of the department by means of clear lines of authority and distinct statements of duties
• D. To see that everything is subject to proper control by personally making all decisions both general and detailed

Answer: (C)

Effective administration hinges on clear lines of authority and distinct statements of duties. When authority is clearly allocated and each role has a precise description of duties, people know who is responsible, who they report to, and what decisions they can make. This arrangement supports competent and vigorous management by enabling proper delegation, accountability, and coordinated effort across the department. It avoids the rigidity of insisting on rule-following in every case, the bottleneck of having everyone report directly to the chief, and the inefficiency of micromanaging by personally handling all decisions.