The View of Law Enforcement Supervisors on Officers Leadership Training Development

Currently, there are no official protocols in place to develop current or future law enforcement officer's leadership skills. These organizations hold important positions in their communities and should follow the principles of honesty, professionalism, and integrity as foundations of community trust-building. Over the past decade social issues such as fatal police shootings of unarmed African Americans and the use of force have created gaps between law enforcement organizations and communities. As a result, a timely exploration is needed to determine the view of law enforcement supervisors on officer's leadership training development and how it will help reduce these gaps. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the view of law enforcement supervisors on officer's receiving leadership training. Three research questions guided this study: (1) What is the view of law enforcement supervisor on officer's receiving leadership training? (2) How will officers benefit from leadership training? (3) How will law enforcement organizations benefit from offering leadership training to officers? The sample was comprised of 10 law enforcement supervisors in the South Florida area. Human capital theory served as the theoretical framework for this study. The data collection process included semi-structured interview, training documentation, and direct observation. Based on methodological triangulation of the data sources and analysis of the data, eight emergent themes were identified. In response to research question one, participants indicated that the offering leadership training to officers is positive, that budget and lack of personnel are challenges, and that the three leadership styles used the most by officers are authoritarian, servant, and transformational. In research questions two, participants addressed that leadership training would help officers in the areas of personal development, problem-solving skills, and active listening skills. Lastly, in research question three participants indicated the themes of community-oriented policing and organization development. The gaps between communities and law enforcement may force new changes in the future development of law enforcement officers. The increase of dialogue may result in safer communities. Future research could build on this study by investigating the view of law enforcement supervisors on a national level