NCJ Number
234081
Date Published
October 2010
Length
52 pages
Annotation
This publication examines ways to adapt cross-disciplinary approaches to managing a law enforcement workforce.
Abstract
By infusing leadership throughout an organization and sharing leadership responsibilities down through the ranks, law enforcement agencies can build their future leadership talent pipeline, meet agency goals and objectives, and create an entire force where each member performs as a leader in the community, not just an enforcer. Building proactive relationships between law enforcement and private corporations and sharing management techniques is essential to being able to solve real problems within an organization. While there are great differences between the private and public sector, there are great similarities as well; leadership skills and principles have been shown to be transferable from one industry to another. Communication skills, the ability to manage meaning, the ability to motivate and inspire others toward a vision, and the ability to make positive lasting changes are all necessary leadership skills and abilities, regardless of the type of organization. Partnerships with businesses and other law enforcement agencies can provide opportunities for mentoring, exchanging information on additional leadership experiences, enhancing and developing leadership skills, networking, sharing resources, and implementing cost-saving solutions to overarching issues. Success is about finding those similarities and doing so through the development of a common language of conversation and story-telling. Information is provided about how to approach a corporate partner, solutions for recruitment and retention issues, ideas for changing organizational culture, and suggestions on how to develop mid-level officers.