The Role of a Leader in Law Enforcement Organizations

Leadership in Law Enforcement

Role of the leader within those criminal justice organizations

By reviewing contemporary literature on criminal justice the study gives informed analysis of the expected standards and ethical practices that good leaders ought to have. It takes note that just as is the case with criminal behavior, theoretical knowledge like developmental, learning and biological theories seek to understand ethical and moral behavior. The study found out that leaders acting ethically is essential if a criminal justice system and organization is to grow in a healthy and ethical manner. The study also points out that the society's confidence in criminal justice may be eroded if the organizations act unethically. It is therefore important, says the study, that the organizations adopt the kind of leadership that motivates players in the industry to pursue ethical ideals in their work (Karimu, 2012).

What you believe is critical for the criminal justice leader to embrace to better lead within this environment?

Leaders of today are under continuous pressure to perform at high levels and be a success. Stakeholders also expect the organizations as well as the staff they guide to perform at such levels. To be good leaders, certain qualities need to be developed to ensure the leader does his or job successfully. The qualities aim to better the style of leadership applied. The study's purpose was identifying the attributes that can enhance a leader's skills. While some leaders do have the basic skills, the research seeks to enhance such skills. Future leaders will have more complex issues to deal with. To successfully lead their organizations, leaders ought to have these qualities. The law enforcement sector must also participate in developing their leaders.

Criminal justice leaders will have to adopt the attributes discussed below so as to ensure good leadership in the sector.

Integrity

Integrity is about how a leader is characterized. A big part of integrity is being able to commit to one's word be they to another person or to oneself. Criminal justice leaders ought to commit themselves to the organizations and the communities they serve. They must be men and women of integrity for their organizations and them to be a success.

They must stick to the commitments they make to themselves and the society. Being of integrity in one of these two areas and neglecting the other does not contribute to effective leadership as the person will always be in conflict and not be able to perform (Imundo, 1991).

Honesty is also very important and will help take criminal justice to the next level. True leadership is acting in line with one's intrinsic beliefs. Leaders ought not compromise what is right for expediency's sake. They ought to stick to what is true and right, especially when the times are tough. Having criminal justice like that will inspire trust and confidence in the organization and that is good for all stakeholders involved. Dishonesty on the other hand, can lead to disastrous outcomes that can negatively affect organizations (Imundo, 1991).

Trustworthy

Being trustworthy is quite a simple concept but can be challenging to implement. The basic rule is that one ought not to lie. Lies feed each other and once a leader starts lying, he or she will have to formulate more lies in the future to cover up the original lie. This can be disastrous in the setting of criminal justice as it is necessary that all information is dependable and as accurate as possible. It is easier to avoid lying by not say anything at all (McCallum, 2005).

Competence

Effective leaders should show competencies in their areas of work. Being competent allows those being lead to trust the leader's direction and perform better. Criminal justice leaders should commit to lifelong learning to master the field. Competency can be developed on the job. Job descriptions change fast right now and as this happens, criminal justice leaders should seek to develop the competencies demanded by the new job requirements so that they are effective and make fewer mistakes (McCallum, 2005).

Decision Making

Decisive decision making requires boldness and courage. Bold and courageous leaders are held in high esteem by those who look up to them for leadership. Indecision has no place in criminal justice as some of the requirements of the job border on emergency. The leaders should therefore be bold and be able to make good and informed decisions fast (McCallum, 2005).

What does the leader need to employ to be successful?

Criminal justice leaders ought to be flexible, open to adaptability and be versatile (Miller, Watkins & Webb, 2009; Schaffer, 2010). Versatility is expected in all the key areas of the organization including social matters, law enforcement, media and public relations, gender considerations, labor relations, legal matters as well as the formulation of organizational strategies. Leaders exhibiting these attributes will effectively play their roles and give good guidance to the subordinates (Schafer J., 2008). Making use of social construction theory, Silvestri (2003) points out that police organizations are the places where gender is specified, the masculinity cult common in the police is formed and also maintained, and where approaches to problem solving that are female oriented are looked down against (Karimu, 2012).

What does it take for those leaders to be respected within their organization?

In efforts to establish leadership that is respected, criminal justice leaders and police chiefs ought to share accomplishment credit generously and acknowledge awesome deeds done by their crew. They should also be ready to shoulder the blame when things go wrong as the leader is often the one who is absolutely responsible for the organization. They should also be caring and treat those working for them with respect. They should also mentor them and give them the necessary support to grow as persons and also as professionals. They ought to ensure that they check their ego always and not seek self-aggrandizement. Basically, they ought to know when to let their juniors shine. When criminal justice leaders build trust in the force and practice ethically, their juniors take up quickly behind them and follow suit. They will appreciate that leadership isn't for self-aggrandizement but for the good of the whole organization. This will make the leaders earn the respect of other members of the organization (Jurkanin, 2012).