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The Law Enforcement Supervisor’s Leadership Field Notebook By Randy Gonzalez

TheLaw Enforcement

Supervisor’sLeadership

Field Notebook

By Randy Gonzalez

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 – Ethical Considerations ---Page 1

Chapter 2 – Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance ---Page 9

Chapter 3 – Leadership and Communications Skills ---Page 17

Chapter 4 – Maintaining the Supervisor’s Edge --- Page 25

Chapter 5: Elements of Supervision and Management --- Page 33

Chapter 6: Competence --- Page 41

Chapter 7: Qualities of Leadership --- Page 49

Chapter 8: Operational Implications of Leadership --- Page 57

Chapter 9: Time, Talk, Tactics and Action --- Page 65

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Chapter 1: Ethical Considerations:

Since supervision is such a critical task, the issue of ethics and professionalism is essential to proper management of personnel. Leaders cannot afford to appear unethical or hypocritical in the execution of their responsibilities. Ethical considerations are more important than anything else a supervisor can teach his or her subordinates. It takes courage to be an ethical leader and supervise subordinate personnel. A day should not pass without some mention or example of an ethical analysis of human behavior. Ongoing learning process, in the experience of life and the workplace, require ethical aspects of behavior. Central to this process of ethical development is the need for professional competence. Ethics is much more complex and encompassing than simply being politically correct or sensitive to various aspects of human behavior. It is a profound moral sense of living up to the duty of being a credible human being and dealing honesty with life. As part of a supervisor’s leadership role, he or she must constantly be on guard to provide the most effective visible example possible. The supervisor must demonstrate strong personal ethics that express solid values, maturity and morality to his or her subordinates. He or she must be accountable for his or her actions. In the relationship building process with subordinate, leaders must strive to develop competence. If subordinates act in an incompetent manner, then supervisors must be held accountable for such behavior. This is part of the expression of ethics and professionalism within the organization. It goes beyond the required competence to be effective in matters of “crime fighting”. Policing is a serious endeavor that demands the continued development of personal capabilities in all aspects of the job. It incorporates principles of honor, integrity and accepted traditions for rules of conduct. These principles or precepts govern each individual and the group as a whole. Such behavior is reflected in the exhibition of behavior that speaks of standards and character of each member of the organization. Each officer has a calling to display the right attitude and express the correct character, through manner and bearing that shows respect for oneself and those who are served in the community. The continued development of one’s abilities, along with the pursuit of professional excellence is essential attributes of such behavior.

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Supervisors should ensure that the precepts of the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, and the principles of the Canons of Police Ethics, are a part of his or her leadership and management of subordinate personnel. Each subordinate officer should have a good working knowledge of the parameters by which we define ethical considerations.

The term ethics refers to:

Principles of honor, morality, integrity, accepted rules of conduct and a professional mindset that govern not only the individual, but also the group as a whole. An ethical person demonstrates such behavior on an off duty regardless of situations or circumstances.

The term professionalism refers to:

Behavior, attitude, demeanor and thought processes by which a person exhibits personal confidence in his or her chosen career field, as well as respect for the people served by the field of endeavor. It is also demonstrated in one’s character, including commitment to the continued development of skill in the pursuit of excellence.

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Leadership requires the conscious desire and effort to encourage and guide others. The ability to be a good leader requires personal ethics and competence. Such behavior is often a matter of projecting a strong sense of personal self-confidence. It is a level of influential behavior that is a characteristic of but a handful of determined individuals. The trained ability to influence others, act decisively, guide and direct people toward a goal, carry out objectives, take risks, and otherwise be bold and daring rests in the hands of a few talented souls. A leader must be clear, concise and effectively articulate the mission to his or her subordinates. Once the mission comes into focus, the leader must rally the followers toward accomplishing the mission. Not everyone is cut out to be a leader. Leadership in the way of supervision necessitates the ability to have a vision of where the organization, unit, division, section, etc., should go. It is a matter of developing the right road map, and then leading the way from the front not the rear. Leadership must be carried out with competent style, quality, compassion, character and integrity.

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Leadership and supervision relate to the essential elements of ethics and professionalism. Such notions speak of personal and group competence. These aspects also suggest the absolute necessity of imparting accountability and responsibility through the chain of command to all subordinate personnel. Within this is the leader’s responsibility to ensure that his or her integrity is intact at all times. And, the leader must make certain all personnel are held to the highest of standards of conduct. The interpersonal relationships that develop as a consequence of organizational interactions also concern the use of power by virtue of position and status within the organization. The appropriate use of power, through effective leadership, is a positive characteristic. It is an important ingredient in every human endeavor.

Power must be used in a humane and judicious manner through effective leadership and management. The organization is productive and successful because it has good leaders who know and understand power relationships. Leaders lead by the exhibition of appropriate example. We are endowed with free will to make good or bad choices. There are no excuses.

What is power? It is the ability to make happen that which we want to happen or, conversely, the ability to block the occurrence of events that are undesirable to us. More simply, power is the ability to choose. Power is exercised in all human interactions, but to say that one person is “more powerful” than another is overly simplistic. People are only “more powerful” or “less powerful” along a given dimension or within a given situation. (1)

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Train Hard and Fight Hard

Leadership is the first and foremost requirement of any supervisor. It takes courage and boldness to be a good leader. Leaders are not afraid of taking risks when they believe they are right. Even if it means the loss of a promotion or a demotion, a leader is not fearful of making a decision and standing firm by what he or she believes. Leadership is displayed by effective supervision in the motivation of others.

1. Planning and organizing workers through empowerment and responsibility – “POWER”.

2. Planning, organizing, scheduling, staffing, directing, communicating, controlling, reading, writing, researching, designing, developing, budgeting, and so forth are all parts of the whole body of leadership activities.

3. Supervisors play a critical role at the line level (e.g. first line supervisors) in providing timely on-the-job training and direction to subordinates.

4. Leadership requires adherence to rules, regulations, policies, procedures and the law, within what is reasonable, just and logical and equitable.

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Ethical Precepts(2)

1. The fundamental duty of law enforcement is to serve the public trust. 2. A Negative attitude, overbearing presence or officious behavior is counterproductive in law enforcement. 3. The display of courageous calm and self-control are essential when confronted with conflict or opposition. 4. The use of unlawful force, brutality, harassment, prejudice, favoritism, and the acceptance of gratuities for personal advantage have no place in the mission of law enforcement. 5. Every action, both public and private must be above reproach, and serve as an example to others. 6. The badge represents the family of law enforcement, and is a symbol of the trust granted by the people to a select few. 7. The law shall be upheld over personal feelings in the relentless pursuit of justice and equity for all persons. 8. Neither fear nor favor shall affect judgments or decisions about any particular situation under consideration. 9. Each act shall be based on logic, facts, sound reason and the elemental circumstances of each incident. 10. Duty, dedication and devotion shall serve to advance the law enforcement profession.

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Basic Considerations In ManagementKeep in mind you are a leader first and a manger by virtue of your

leadership position. Know, do and be a good manger. Enforce professional standards of behavior and ensure high

expectations of performance. Lead by example. Take charge and be in “command”.

Seize the day, take the initiative, overcome and adapt to changing environments. Become competent at making decisions. Do not be afraid to take calculated risks.

Be creative and encourage the same in subordinates. Do not discourage good ideas. Give credit where credit is due. Be yourself and promote creativity.

Set clear and concise goals and objectives, and be certain everyone understands them. Develop your own unique style and exert “command presence”. Use proper planning to maximum advantage.

Make sure positive reinforcement and encouragement filters down through the chain of command. Recognize and reward good performance.

Hold subordinates accountable for their areas of responsibility and the actions they carry out. Insist that subordinates be responsible for their actions.

Treat others with respect. Say and do what you mean. Treat others as you want to be treated. Act in fair and just ways.

In order to gain compliance and motivation use a variety of techniques and tactics depending on the situations and circumstances.

As a leader, you need to be on the front lines “walking and talking” to others. You need to be involved from a hands-on perspective.

Deal with issues, concerns and problems in a forthright manner. Be decisive and take action in a sure and swift manner.

Study, research and learn your job. Become an effective source of information. Keep people informed.

Measure and evaluate activities to assess whether goals and objectives are being accomplished.