NCJ Number
227120
Journal
THE POLICE CHIEF Volume: 76 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2009 Pages: 20-21,23-27,29
Date Published
May 2009
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article describes the Delaware State Police's Leadership in Police Organizations (LPO) program, and outlines recommendations in approaching leadership development in the field of law enforcement.
Abstract
Leadership development is a major concern for the future of the law enforcement profession. The Leadership Police Organizations (LPO) program originally created by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) has been an overwhelming success for the Delaware State Police and for 149 other police agencies that have participated in the program. The LPO program has its roots with the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Since the 1940s, the U.S. military has supported the idea that leadership can be developed. However, not until the early 1980s did police organizations realize that the West Point model could be adapted to the law enforcement profession. The adaptation of the military leadership education for law enforcement purposes resulted in the establishment of the LPO program by the IACP. In January 2007, the Delaware State Police became the first State police agency in the country to implement the LPO. The foundation of the LPO curriculum is the notion of dispersed leadership. The core of the program is the focus of leaders on motivation, satisfaction, and performance of subordinates, peers, or supervisors. To maintain the success of any LPO program, it is recommended that police agencies develop and maintain partnerships with other agencies to enhance the cadre of certified LPO instructors. In addition, law enforcement agencies should also maintain and develop partnerships in order to provide and offer the LPO program to other law enforcement officers. Figures and notes