Leadership in Law Enforcement

By Mike Simmons

When I was a young officer, all new guys were sent to the Patrol division as soon as they finished their Field Training. I was no exception. As it happened, I was assigned to the squad of the old, unimpressive-looking Sergeant Henry Cassady. Maybe I would have been less-than-enthused if I hadn’t been thrilled that I was finally assigned my own beat and was let go on the city!

It wasn’t long, however, before I realized that I had won the equivalent of a new officer’s lottery. First of all, Sergeant Cassady knew everyone, and was highly respected by the citizens, from the top to the bottom of the food chain. I quicky realized that it had taken years of hard work to establish those relationships. Second, he was genuine, and he cared about a young officer. Mentoring was not the buzz word it is today, but he was the best I had ever seen. Third, the guy had wisdom – and guts. I will never forget the day that the chief of police came on the radio and called for an officer to address the homeless guy sleeping on the sidewalk in the middle of town during the day. After a few demands, Sgt. Cassady told the chief that everyone was busy and he would have to take care of it himself. I really thought it was the sergeant’s last day! Surprisingly, the chief shut his mouth and went about his business. I was impressed.

After working my area for a couple of years, I was approached and asked to join a specialized unit. Wow…me? Even though I was thrilled inside, I wanted to act smart, so I said I would think about it. A few hours later, I went to Sergeant Cassady and, in my excitement, blurted it out, looking for his approval, but knowing that my mind had already been made up to go.

“Don’t do it,” he said calmly.

“Huh?” I asked, crestfallen, the smile wiped off my face.

“Don’t go.”

I looked at him for a second – he was staring straight at me, making a point. Then I did what any young officer would have done…I went anyway.

Three weeks later, I called the sergeant up. I don’t really know if he could hear the whining in my voice, but it was there.

“This is terrible! I don’t know what to do!”

“You made your bed, now lie in it,” he said without emotion.

My new supervisor had a ‘different’ approach. He gave me no instructions as to the way he wanted things done. When I didn’t do things his way, he told me – not that I didn’t do it the way he wanted it done, nor even that what I did was wrong. He told me that I was the worst police officer he had ever seen and he was going to do his best to see that I was fired!

Years later I found out that he said the same thing to several officers. It was his management style. But at the time, I was a new officer, and he had been an officer for about a hundred years…I believed him. I must have been a terrible officer. It affected me for a long time. Later, I had the opportunity to work for Sgt. Cassady again just before he retired. A great man.

So, what makes a good leader in law enforcement? Well, it wasn’t the second guy! Actually, a leader of law enforcement officer has roughly the same traits as a leader in other professions. Here are some:

Decisive: Police leaders must be able to make decisions quickly and with confidence, while also considering the input of others

Authoritative: There are times in emergency situations, when the leader must demand that action be taken immediately.
Transformational: This style focuses on inspiring and motivating subordinates to work together toward shared goals
Adaptable: Law Enforcement leaders must be open to change at a moment’s notice, such as to new technology, changing mindset of new officers, changes in the law and in the community.

Mentoring: Leaders often don’t realize how much new officers look to them for guidance and direction.
Delegation: Police leaders must learn to hand off responsibilities to subordinates, even if they can’t accomplish them as well. They have to learn.
Communicate: They must clearly convey their expectations, but more importantly, they must LISTEN.

Leadership has little to do with rank. Leadership expert John Maxwell correctly says that leadership is less about position and more about influence. Well said.

Thanks, Henry. Rest in peace.