Ethical leadership and behavior management in modern criminal justice organizations

¶ … Criminal Justice Managers

Discuss the three ways leaders can manage ethical behavior in their organizations. Provide at least one example from a current law enforcement agency that supports your discussion.

Three ways that leaders can manage ethical behavior inside their organization include: training, policies / codes and accountability. In the case of training, supervisors can teach personnel the most effective procedures for addressing a variety of challenges they will face on a daily basis. This helps to prepare them for the issues they will encounter and how to respond in way which is taking into account the needs of stakeholders. (Barker, 2011) Ross, 2011)

Policies and codes are establishing ethical practices inside any law enforcement agency. This is because these guidelines let everyone know what kind of behavior is acceptable and the consequences they will face when they deviate from it. These areas are providing a foundation for determining the mindset of different individuals inside the organization itself. (Barker, 2011) Ross, 2011)

Accountability is when everyone will be held responsible for their behavior. Inside a law enforcement agency, this prevents personnel from engaging in rogue tactics while they are interacting with the public. Moreover, this can establish ways of correcting any kind of issues and ensuring that everyone is following the guidelines which are established. (Barker, 2011) Ross, 2011)

These areas are important, as they will help leaders to effectively control the activities of personnel underneath them. This prevents abuses from taking place by teaching everybody various standards that must be followed at all times. When they are interacting with various stakeholders, these ideas will become a part of their beliefs and practices for addressing a host of challenges. (Barker, 2011) Ross, 2011)

A good example of this can be seen in the area of accountability. In all local law enforcement agencies, there is an Internal Affairs division. Their job is to investigate and prosecute individuals who are believed to have violated the various ethical provisions of the department. These include: corruption, the excessive use of force and engaging in questionable activities. The presence of Internal Affairs prevents rogue cops from continually abusing their power by holding them accountable to higher standards. This ensures that the needs of stakeholders are taken into account through having a mechanism of investigating and enforcing violations of the department's ethical policies / practices. (Barker, 2011) (Ross, 2011)

Are the management theories discussed only a U.S. concept or do other countries manage their organizations in this way? Explain your answer and provide examples.

The management theories discussed are both U.S. And international concepts. This is because some of the traditional practices for enforcing the law were learned from events that occurred in other countries. At the same time, many of these guidelines were applied to American law enforcement based upon specific ideas which are relevant to the U.S. This means that the theories are combination of various practices learned from incidents that occurred nationally and techniques from different nations. (Vodde, 2009) (Seelke, 2009)

For example, Great Britain has influenced the kinds of practices that are utilized. This is taking place in the areas of: limited police / government, placing a higher value on protecting individual liberty, a tradition of local law enforcement and a decentralized system of enforcing the law on the regional level. These areas are important, as they are illustrating how other countries have impacted the basic structures and foundations which are utilized throughout the U.S. This is illustrating the influence of other nations on the basic system and strategies embraced by law enforcement agencies. (Vodde, 2009)

However, at the same time, U.S. law enforcement is having an impact on the techniques and practices utilized by other departments around the world. This is because the overall nature of crime will transcend international borders and can have an influence on those who are dealing with similar challenges. American officials can work with their counterparts in these countries to coordinate, train and more effectively address the problem over the long-term. (Seelke, 2009)

For instance, one area where this is taking place is through anti-gang related activities. This is because many of these groups have become so large. That they are spreading across international borders. If left unaddressed, these issues will result in large criminal enterprises challenging the authority of national governments. To help these countries tackle the problem, law enforcement will provide assistance in specific techniques for investigating and dismantling them. (Seelke, 2009)