Case Studies with Questions and Answers
Chapter 04: Leading in Criminal Justice
Officer Ames has just been recently promoted to the rank of patrol sergeant. Despite her lack of supervisory experience, she is excited and believes that she will do well in her new position of responsibility. During her days off, Officer Ames serves as a volunteer with a local middle school. Within this capacity, she is often questioned by the students and teachers about her role as a police supervisor. In many cases, she takes advantage of the opportunity to describe the differences between a police officer and a police supervisor. As she discusses the distinction between the two roles, she spends a considerable amount of time emphasizing the importance of human relations and communication. In her opinion, she believes that the most important aspect of leadership is based upon one' s ability to empathize with others. As part of the management team within the local police department, Officer Ames enjoys her role as a police supervisor. This role not only affords her the opportunity of managing the affairs of police officers, it also exposes her to many different types of community and managerial functions within the community.