Executive leadership coaching can have significant benefits for police officers and law enforcement agencies in addressing critical issues such as race relations, misconduct, and professionalism. Leadership coaches can help police officers develop a deeper understanding of their own biases and improve their cultural competence. This increased self-awareness enables leaders to foster a more inclusive and respectful work environment, promoting better relationships between officers and diverse communities. Additionally, coaching can help officers enhance their decision-making skills, encouraging them to implement fair and just policies that prioritize accountability and transparency. Ultimately, executive leadership coaching empowers police officers and their superiors to create a more equitable and trustworthy law enforcement system, benefiting both the officers and the communities they serve. This chapter uses theories and research from the literature to argue for the viability of the deployment of executive coaching as a tool to develop better police leaders at every level.
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Police leadership misconduct is an issue that has been reported in the news recently, with a variety of examples of poor leadership and abuse of power (Vasilenko, 2015). The role of police leadership is to serve as a model for other officers, demonstrate good ethical practices, and ensure that the police force is held to the highest standards of integrity (Vasilenko, 2015). Police leadership misconduct is “any behavior by a police supervisor or leader that is not in accordance with accepted ethical standards or departmental policy and procedures” (Vasilenko, 2015, p. 4). This includes any violations of the law, unethical behavior, or misuse of authority. Examples of police leadership misconduct include improper use of force, abuse of authority, corruption, and discrimination (Vasilenko, 2015).
The improper use of force is one of the most common forms of police misconduct (Vasilenko, 2015). This includes any physical or psychological force used against a person deemed excessive or unnecessary (Vasilenko, 2015). This can include physical force, such as striking a person with a baton or using pepper spray(Vasilenko, 2015). It can also include psychological force, such as threats of violence or verbal abuse (Vasilenko, 2015). The improper use of force can significantly impact police-community relationships and lead to a lack of trust in the police force (Vasilenko, 2015).
Abuse of authority is another form of police misconduct (Vasilenko, 2015; Stinson & Ross, 2017). This includes any actions taken by police officers that are not in line with their duties or the law (Vasilenko, 2015). This can include verbal or physical intimidation, threats or coercion, or the misuse of police resources (Vasilenko, 2015; Stinson & Ross, 2017). This type of misconduct can harm police-community relationships, leading to a lack of trust and respect for the police force (Vasilenko, 2015; Stinson & Ross, 2017). Corruption is another form of police misconduct. This includes any illegal or unethical behavior by police officers intended to gain financial or personal gain. This can include bribery, extortion, and the misuse of police resources. Corruption can significantly impact police-community relationships, leading to a lack of trust and respect for the police force (Vasilenko, 2015).
Discrimination is another form of police misconduct. This includes any action taken by police officers based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected class (Vasilenko, 2015). Discrimination can significantly impact police-community relationships, leading to a lack of trust and respect for the police force (Vasilenko, 2015).
Police leadership misconduct can have a significant impact on police-community relationships. This impact can be both direct and indirect. Directly, police misconduct can lead to a lack of trust and respect for the police force (Vasilenko, 2015). For example, if a police officer uses excessive force, it can erode the trust between the police and the community. Similarly, if a police officer is found to have engaged in corruption, it can lead to a lack of trust in the police force (Vasilenko, 2015).
On an indirect level, police misconduct can lead to a sense of mistrust and alienation in the community (Vasilenko, 2015). This can manifest in various ways, such as decreased cooperation with police investigations or a reluctance to report crimes. This can lead to a breakdown in the relationship between the police and the community, harming public safety (Vasilenko, 2015).