Common Sense Police Supervision: Practical Tips for the Firstline Leader

Book Synopsis: Revised, updated, and expanded, this practical hands-on book is packed full of step-by-step guidelines and suggestions for carrying out a multitude of leadership tasks and responsibilities focused on a changing workforce that serves an equally changing and complex society. While emphasizing the real value of common sense in good leadership practices, the author furnishes the aspiring novice or veteran police supervisor with specific advice on how to train, counsel, inspect, discipline, and assess the performance of his or her subordinates. He strives to help the supervisor with the vital obligations of being a planner, a problem resolution officer, and an effective communicator within as well as outside the law enforcement organization. Major topics include: (1) what supervision means and what you need to know; (2) supervisory ethics, professional responsibilities as a teacher, inspector, advocate, and role model; (3) the key qualities of true leadership; (4) the vital job as an evaluator of employee performance, discipline in the correction process, oral and written communication skills; (5) the skills needed when dealing with the news media; (6) assistance in planning a career as a first-line leader in supervision; (7) the skills necessary for effective counseling; (8) managing external and internal complaints; (9) an effective role in community policing and customer service; and (10) effective leadership of different generations. Each chapter concludes with a brief Points to Remember that provides a quickly read and easily remembered checklist of the chapter's salient points. The sixth edition furnishes many more practical, helpful, and real-life examples pertaining to leadership issues. It offers a realistic approach to the challenging task of providing strong, effective leadership to frontline employees in a dynamic, demanding profession.