What is authority?

• A. Legitimate, formal power tied to a position or rank in an organization
• B. Personal influence not linked to role
• C. The ability to reward others
• D. The capacity to negotiate resources

Answer: (A)

Authority is the legitimate, formal power that comes with a position in an organization. It carries the right to command, make decisions, and enforce directions within the scope of your role, and it’s backed by the rules, policies, and chain of command of the agency. In criminal justice settings, this means a supervisor can issue orders and expect compliance because their rank and duties authorize those actions. This differs from personal influence that isn’t tied to a role, which relies on charisma or expertise rather than official sanction. It also isn’t simply the ability to reward others or to bargain for resources, which are different forms of power tied to incentives or control of assets rather than formal authority.