Empowering the Worker in Law Enforcement: Efforts in Leadership and Change Consulting
Therese F. Yaeger, David S. Anderson, Peter F. Sørensen, David W. Jamieson, Eric J. Sanders · Academy of Management Proceedings · 2023
Policing in the USA is currently at a crossroads and facing intense community and political pressure to reform. The social unrest from the murder of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, among others, and the proposed legislative changes at the state and federal level to de-fund the police, has caused additional scrutiny for police departments. Today, police reform is a major social issue of national importance. Furthermore, intentional planned change in policing is widely viewed by scholars as difficult, if not impossible. This symposium will present on one such police department undergoing leadership and cultural changes. A newly hired Police Chief, initially acting as an internal consultant, will present the multiple change efforts undertaken at the police department. But through collaboration and empowerment, the Chief intentionally put the workers front and center during and after the leadership transition. Early results indicate that because workers felt empowered, critical changes were realized resulting in needed cultural changes which provided further momentum. After the Chief’s presentation, four panelists will analyze the success (or lack) of the leader’s change efforts through his multiple, contemporary change approaches; namely, a) appreciative inquiry; b) measurement of culture change; c) action research; and d) the leader’s use of self. Management consulting issues, organization change struggles, and social issues (at both public sector and community stakeholder levels) are at the crux of this symposium. Participation by audience will provide further discussion, integrating participants’ questions and comments.