Leadership in the 1990's: Will the Police Chief of the Next Decade Possess the Essential and Critical Knowledge and Skills Necessary for Success in Leading His Organization?

• NCJ Number: 110312
• Author(s): R Becker
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 153 pages
• Corporate Author: California Cmssn on Peace Officer Standards and Training
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services; POST Media Distribution Ctr
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Using data from group sessions, personal interviews, and surveys of police chiefs, city managers, and police officers, this study identifies seven elements of the personal mission of the municipal police chief and discusses the personal qualities, knowledge, and skills essential both now and in the future to accomplish this mission.

Abstract

The police chief's personal mission should be based on a vision for the organization's future and involve serving city government, the community, the police organization, the police officer, the police profession, and self and family. Respondents indicated that the personal qualities of a police chief necessary for effective service now and in the future are integrity, intelligence, common sense, patience, sensitivity, fairness, decisiveness, flexibility, innovativeness, and a positive regard for people. Qualities particularly needed for the future are an understanding of changing values, open-mindedness, and ability to adapt to change. The police chief's knowledge must encompass penal law, civil law, administrative law, labor relations, police systems and practices, psychology, sociology, financial management, politics, cultural dynamics, conflict resolution, and stress management. The study identifies and projects critical trends in American society likely to impact the police and formulates these into scenarios of the police chief's future environment. A plan is presented for the development of organizational leadership. 17 footnotes and 17-item bibliography. (Author abstract modified)