Leadership in the Criminal Justice Setting

                   In the modern day where globalization goes along with by complexity, uncertainty and diversity, running of any business or agency has become a very challenging undertaking. Leadership is an important element of any organization and this applies also to the criminal justice. Leaders help in providing motivation and inspiration to their followers to help them progress as they advance towards their united vision (Podmore, 2004). A team leader should have an organizational vision and should be able to inspire and motivate their groups to remain productive and to maintain the drive and ability to reach organizational goals (Wang et al., 2014). Leadership in the criminal justice setting is directly related to the overall success of the organization. Strong leaders within the criminal justice setting help to promote organization, management, productivity, motivation and creativity.

                   The role of leaders in the criminal justice is to ensure that tasks that they are leading are effectively completed. These leaders need to have strong working familiarity in the task for this to happen, this knowledge can be established through training, education and practice (Jones-Burbridge, 2012). Many times, leaders in the criminal justice tend to be over dominant and proud which affects their relationships with their subordinates. Criminal justice leaders that do not relate well with the team members affect the effectiveness of the criminal justice agency. It is very important for leaders in the criminal justice to have respect of those that they wish to lead in order to be effective (Jones-Burbridge, 2012).  Respect in this sense means, giving everyone a chance to give their views on various issues within the group. Doing this, helps to ensure that all the team members feel appreciated and it motivates them to work harder to achieve the goals of the team. A good criminal justice leader is one that understands his team and always strives to ensure that their work and personal lives are well balanced. Subordinates appreciate working with leaders that cares about them and one that supports their personal and career growth.

                   There are two management styles that work effectively in the criminal justice setting; there is situational leadership and transformational leadership. Situational leadership necessitates leaders to quickly asses a state and distinguish the suitable staffs and assets that are essential for a particular mission (Podmore, 2004). The nature of police work is both high risk and vibrant, it is significant for a leader to steer through developing and often risky situations. Possessing the capacity to digest information fast and to make verdicts under pressure is vital. Transformational leadership inspires the achievement of others, this leader cultivates a dream of the future which is proposed to motivate and encourage subordinates. Transformational leaders can nurture a positive transformation in their agencies and societies by addressing the low self-esteem of officers who are regulating in an anti-police culture (Podmore, 2004). The hostility, uncertainty and disapproval of law enforcement have turned out to be very prevalent as is demonstrated in the social media and in the streets. A transformational leader can help motivate officers by emphasizing on their accomplishments, identifying their strengths, providing openings for progress and refining their abilities.

                   An effective leader is able to gain respect from their subordinates dependent on how they present and carry themselves while working. One of the ways that the leaders can earn respect is by ensuring that they have the abilities that are vital for one to be in a management position. It is essential for leaders to recognize their strengths and weaknesses, in order for them to develop their style of management (Wang et al., 2014). Leaders who act outside their normal style of headship can seem stubborn and this can eventually affect their leading capacity. It is also imperative for the criminal justice leaders to appreciate their juniors, people are inspired by diverse things and it is hence very significant for a leader to understand what inspires each individual subordinate (Jones-Burbridge, 2012).

                   Strong leadership is an important element in the criminal justice organization. A criminal justice agency that has strong leadership helps to improve productivity, morale and it leads to success of that organization. A strong leader does not engage in unethical activities and leads by example which ensures that the criminal justice agency is free from unethical behaviours.

                                               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                            References

Jones-Burbridge, J. A. (2012). SERVANT Leadership. Corrections Today, 73(6), 45–47.

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Podmore, J.(2004), "Leadership and management in the criminal justice system: an

exploration of the management of change in a ‘failing prison’", The British Journal of Forensic Practice, Vol. 6 No. 3, pp. 30-35.

Wang, D, Waldman, D. & Zhang, Z.  (2014).  A meta-analysis of shared leadership and team

            effectiveness.  Journal of Applied Psychology, 99(2), p. 181-198.