NCJ Number
214894
Date Published
2006
Length
267 pages
Annotation
After defining various theories of police leadership, this book examines them in the context of the performance of various polices chiefs and police commissioners in the context of specific departmental challenges.
Abstract
The book opens with an overview of police integrity and ethics and how they relate to leadership. This is followed by a chapter on the nature and application of the "team theory" of leadership, which involves the development and coordination of teams that have specific functions to perform. Another chapter defines and examines the application to the "leader-member exchange theory" of police leadership. According to this theory, leadership does not necessarily involve the standardized management of all subordinates, but rather consists of the tailoring of management styles to the individual employee. The "transformational theory" of police leadership is the focus of one chapter. This refers to a leadership style in which the personality of the leader stimulates change through the raising of motivation, morale, and a consciousness of mission. The "style theory" of leadership is illustrated in another chapter. Under this theory, a leader becomes effective by being action-oriented in the solving of problems more than through inspirational personality characteristics. "Situational leadership theory," which is the subject of a chapter, focuses on how leadership styles may change in accordance with the characteristics of subordinates and the nature of a specific operation. Other leadership theories addressed include "contingency theory," which posits that leadership requirements will vary according to situations; the "path-goal theory," which matches leadership style with the characteristics of subordinates and the work environment; and "psychodynamic theory," which views leadership as an inherent charismatic quality that enables a person to enlist the commitment and allegiance of others in a cause. Index