NCJ Number
190844
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 68 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2001 Pages: 78-81
Date Published
August 2001
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes the potential benefits of spirit on police recruitment, training, and job performance.
Abstract
The military is working to awaken the spirit of potential recruits, and corporate America is turning to spirited leadership to produce high achievement. This article argues that the same approach would work in recruiting police officers and in managing law enforcement agencies. Like the military, law enforcement cannot compete with the private sector regarding tangibles such as pay, entrepreneurial opportunities, or profit sharing; it should not try to. The article suggests that police recruiting efforts emphasize serving and protecting others in an appeal to potential recruits' higher selves. This signals a belief in their ability to meet the challenges of police work and enlarges their spirit and strength. People are drawn to big, heroic adventures more passionately than they are to small tasks. Police management should expect the best from its officers and should communicate to them confidence in their ability to meet and even exceed those expectations. Notes