Why We Need a New Approach

Abstract

This book is different. If you are looking for a theoretical treatise, this book is not for you. This book is about hard-nosed, practical police leadership based on a simple but effective model of competency-based leadership. It is my belief that we do not need an overly complicated model of leadership that moves along theoretical or abstract lines. We are better served by a simple common-sense model that is suited for all levels of leadership. I am all about common sense when it comes to leadership. Common sense — in essence — dictates that we look for the easiest and most effective solution to problems and issues. So creating police leaders should be no different. Yet we still struggle to find the best way to consistently create leaders. Some of this has to do with the fact that, in my research, I have found that most of the leadership development programs used by police departments are based on business management theories or adopted military programs. While these leadership programs have merit, they lack a specific and direct connection to the uniqueness of police work. Despite attempts by many in the academic field to distill police work into a business management model, approach, or strategy, the profession will always be resistant to fitting so neatly into these models because of the very non-business/academic environment police officers work in.