Date of Award

Summer 2022

Document Type

Consultancy Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Committee Chair

Dale Lamb

Committee Co-Chair

Jeffrey Hamilton

Abstract

Organizational effectiveness and legitimacy in policing are largely based on public perception witnessed predominantly through interactions with line officers and first-line supervisors. The demand for highly effective first-line supervisors falls short as agencies are ill-equipped to provide leader development. This mixed methods study examined the characteristics and attributes of first-line supervisors as perceived by line officers in the Asheboro, North Carolina Police Department. Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions: (a) Which dominant characteristics and attributes are perceived by police officers to be associated with leader efficacy; (b) Which of the perceived characteristics and attributes contribute to the development of leadership skills; and (c) What barriers exist to prevent the development of leadership skills within policing? Two research techniques were used: (a) a survey designed to identify and categorize perceived characteristics and attributes, and (b) in-depth interviews of first-line supervisors and line officers. The results identified the four highest perceived leadership characteristics and attributes as courageousness, honesty, straight-forwardness, and self-control; and the four lowest as broadmindedness, caring, inspiration, and imagination. This led to the development of three, 2-hour training sessions, focused respectively on first-line supervisors, line officers in leadership positions, and line officers.

Additional Files
Developing Frontline Leaders - Defense.pdf (4829 kB)
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