Leadership Skills in the Criminal Justice Profession
Just like any other organization, the criminal justice system makes use of leadership and management to guide the system. Today’s law enforcement is becoming more complicated the emergence of complex and dynamic criminal activities. For one to serve effectively in any field of criminal justice system, it is imperative that the person acquires and develops the necessary leadership and personal skills. Leadership in the field of criminal justice cuts across issues related to the styles of leadership, span of control and matters pertaining to command (Albanese, 2006). Each person should be able to understand their roles and responsibilities and have the right attitude so as complications in the work place can be avoided. The criminal justice system embodies different rules and regulations thus important for every member to fully understand them to ensure that they provide justice to everyone.
A good leader in the criminal justice system should be able build the confidence of those under them through the right attitude and should also have the ability to sense the needs of those under him by putting in place measures that will provide a conducive working environment. Leaders should have the ability to motivate their subordinates to ensure that morale is maintained. The leader should have the ability to clarify the norms and values of the organization to those under them to ensure that every one works in tandem. “Leadership in criminal justice means leading by example through not only caring about the people they lead, but also possessing a genuine compassion for others and ready to accept responsibility” (Wright, 1999). In terms of personal skills, the leaders should be able to carry themselves with dignity and humility. They should know when to fight or use diplomacy to approach criminal issues and should not let politics influence their work. Thus, they should have a sense of duty which calls for focusing on doing quality and not quantity work. Leaders should also believe in the ability of their subordinates and thus know when to take charge of issues and when it is necessary to delegate to others and give credit where it is due. Besides, leaders should possess good communication and interpersonal skills to effectively manage critical issues like testifying in courts and carrying out investigations (DC Public Safety, 2009).
Ethics and virtue are important pillars when it comes to criminal justice leadership. In most cases, how these leaders handle their cases plays a very important role in the final outcomes. Hence, these leaders hold the freedom of others in their hands and are important that they carry out their work to the highest ethical standards. High ethical practices and professional standards need to be maintained by criminal justice leaders especially with the changing technological advancements and the limited number of trained experts to effectively investigate and analyze criminal activities. Leaders in criminal justice should view pursuance of justice as a virtue that is not only promoted through ethical codes, but as also personal convictions of the leaders. Being virtuous will ensure that the leader does what is right and fair even when there is nobody to monitor them. Leaders should set standards of ethical practice since they help in ensuring that subordinates perform their duties with diligence, consistency and accountability.
References:
Albanese, J (2006). Professional Ethics professional ethics,
n the rules governing the conduct, transactions, and relationships within a profession and among its publics.
professional ethics liability,
n 1.
..... Click the link for more information. in Criminal Justice: Being Ethical When No One is
looking. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc.
DC Public Safety (2009). Leadership Development in Criminal Justice Agencies.
Retrieved from http://media.csosa.gov.
Wright, K.N (1999). Leadership Is the Key to Ethical Practice in Criminal Justice Agencies
Criminal Justice Ethics. Vol. 18, 112-117
