Common Sense Police Supervision: Practical Tips for the First-Line Leader (7th Edition)

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 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 seventh edition furnishes many more practical, helpful, and real-life examples pertaining to leadership issues. In addition, a new chapter, “Working for Someone,” offers insight into this all-important topic of what your supervisor expects, some pitfalls to avoid, addressing the boss’s problems, and learning the boss’s job. This new edition offers a realistic approach to the challenging task of providing strong, effective leadership to front-line employees in a dynamic, demanding profession.