Organizational and administrative strategies in criminal justice

¶ … criminal justice system just like any other organization utilizes leadership and management theories to guide its operations (Stojkovic, Klofas, Kalinich,2011).Leadership in criminal justice system is noted to involve the use of various leadership styles, commands as well as span of control. In order for the criminal justice system to be effective, it is crucial that the different roles of the key players in the system are identified. The need of every member of the criminal justice system to have a very clear identification of their functions is imperative so as to avoid any forms of complications.

Leadership is not just a position, it is Action.

There are several leadership principles that can be adopted in order to successfully run the criminal justice system as an administrator. The very first principle that I believe should be used in the successful running of the criminal justice system is to treat leadership as action as not a position of authority. As Ronald Regan Ronald once noted, "The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things; he is the one who gets the people to do the greatest things.." The implication is this is that administrators must act in a manner that is inspiring to their junior officers. This can be achieved by showing a personality which is both pleasing and worthwhile. It is indeed a fact that a career in the criminal justice could be stressful. However, good leaders must set the best examples to everyone by acting appropriately, having appositive demeanor as well as freely mingling with the staff. In other words, a good leader must apply the transformational leadership principles.

Transformational leadership and effectiveness of the criminal justice organizations

Transformational leadership is defined by Yulk (1994,p.271) as a process that involves the influencing of major changes in the assumptions as well as attitudes of the various organizational members while at the same time building a commitment to the organization's objectives, missions, core values as well as strategies. Most of the studies on transformational leadership have focused on the effects of leader on the followers as noted by Bass and Avolio (1992). The followers of transformational leaders are noted by Yulk (1994) to feel a sense of admiration, trust, respect as well as loyalty towards their leader. These followers are also motivated to perform beyond expectations. This leadership principle of leading by example is important in the criminal justice organizations.