Management leadership in criminal justice organizations

.....leadership eludes most as it such a term does not offer a clear and concise interpretation, it is a word that permeates through society. This is because many working or not working need leadership to fulfill objectives. There are those that take on the role of the informal leader, influencing others in a way that leads to the accomplishment of objectives. However, there are times when an individual is given a formal leadership role granting them formal authority regarding their subordinates.

Such positions can be managers, judges, prison wardens, and so forth. Management in general, falls within the context of formal leadership. This essay will cover the contrast of the role of manager versus leader in law enforcement. It will also provide a list of goals that can align with the mission statement of the chosen organization: Florida Gang Investigators Association.

In the U.S. criminal justice system, an estimated half of workers are employed at the local level. The rest are employed at federal and state levels. Although managers do not exist within the context of private businesses, there are supervisory staff that oversee the actions of employees in government organizations. Management grants power to influence others (Allen & Sawhney, 2015). This power does not come from the respect and admiration of subordinates, but through the promise of monetary gain and position within the organization. Subordinates follow management orders because they are paid to.

However, a good manager must also be a good leader. Even if the power is granted to them through the organization/business, effective leadership can make management functions easier by promoting communication and effective influence. The traits theory was often used to predict the potential manifestation of leadership abilities in any given individual. When examining leadership ability in managers, it is important to assess the ability of the manager to promote goal completion among subordinates as well as satisfaction and growth in job related tasks.

The chosen organization is Florida Gang Investigators Association and it has a mission statement to intervene, prevent, and enforce suppression against criminal gang activity. "This mission will be carried out through enhanced interagency intelligence exchange, legislative activism, citizen awareness, innovative anti-gang awareness operational tactics and by providing professional education and training" (FGIA, 2017). The mission statement is multifaceted aimed at decreasing gang-related criminal activity in Florida through education and training. This is a great means of achieving the goal of prevention and intervention because it offers gang members a way to leave their gangs.

Education programs have provided positive outcomes not just nationally, but also internationally. As one 2017 study noted:

However, effect sizes (ESs) indicate the program was effective in reducing levels of gang membership and the frequency and variety of delinquency and violence in the short- and longer term. More robust evidence indicated GAGV also improved students' attitudes toward police and reduced their adherence toward street code (Densley, Adler, Zhu, & Lambine, 2017, p. 242).

Education and training allows delinquent youth to see what may be an alternative to how they think and act and could thus lead to a potential positive growth away from gang-related activity. Furthermore, education can lead to positive interactions with law enforcement and could reduce the likelihood of youth receiving such opportunities from being arrested or experiencing other negative outcomes from being in gangs. Training opportunities can also be used to teach these youth new skills that they can use to find gainful employment. This is where changes can be made.

The community can also be included and therefore create better outcomes due to community integration. For example, a block party where people of the affected community can come together and learn of the dangers of gangs and what can be done to avoid unnecessary gang activity. If a list were to be made to help the organization move closer towards their mission statement, it would have to goals aimed at community integration and potential job creation.

1. Create a community outreach program where people from the community can come and discuss topics related to the health of the community.

2. Offer a training program that can offer job placement.

3. Provide youth with educational materials that have information of contacts available.

The first goal allows for the community to come together and discuss problems affecting them. So often gang members come from communities where people feel they have nowhere to go or no one to turn to. Therefore, the organization should create avenues for communication. This will allow community members to come together, talk, and communicate. Such actions can lead to problem solving and a bettering of the community.

The second objective is to provide a potential revenue source for gang members or potential gang members. People at-risk for joining gangs do so due to money problems. If there is a means of gaining employment, they may take that route instead of joining a gang. This way, prevention and training can go together.

The last goal is to encourage further educational opportunities by offering educational material. Booklets, pamphlets with resources listed can help those looking for assistance, find what they need. This can then turn into a potential means of letting those at-risk find help on their own terms. This can lead to improved outcomes for the community and the organization.

References

Allen, J. M., & Sawhney, R. (2015). Administration and Management in Criminal Justice: A Service Quality Approach. SAGE Publications.

Densley, J. A., Adler, J. R., Zhu, L., & Lambine, M. (2017). Growing against gangs and violence: Findings from a process and outcome evaluation. Psychology of Violence, 7(2), 242-252. doi:10.1037/vio0000054

FGIA. (2017). Florida Gang Investigators Association - Home. Retrieved from http://www.fgia.org/