Law enforcement and public safety leaders should continuously conduct assessments of

social demands and criminal justice changes. An in-depth critical assessment on their agency

can discover alternative practices that can be more effective for the agency and it’s community.

An effective leader should conduct external reviews of methodologies and statistical tools in an

attempt to locate the best practice that fits into their unique police department. A “fit one, fit all”

approach is not a best practice. Every community, police department and it’s staff have different

requirements, budget and expectations. Therefore, its the leader’s duty to create the best practice

that benefits all.

The Case for the Brain Metaphor, I explained how each community and police

department are unique from one another with different goals and different influences. A police

agency must learn to adapt to new laws, community expectations and budget challenges, much

like a ecology system must learn to adapt to its environment to survive. An effective law

enforcement leader should anticipate required changes and develop an effective strategy to

complete a smooth transition. This adjustment should be well-researched to incorporate data-

driven decisions that best fits the agency and community. A leader’s should identify future

challenges, assess their options and successfully implement a transition that betters the

department and the community. This will help build trust amongst the officers and the

community they serve.

Law enforcement is a dynamic environment that is always changing due to societal

demands. A good leader should take the time to learn their community and the community

member’s opinion about the police department. Anticipation of societal changes can prepare a

leader to better address the challenges through training, budgetary requirements and agency
philosophy. My paper titled “Society’s Influence on the Prison System”, I researched how

society’s views have shaped the nation’s prison system. Society once believed that every

criminal should serve their entire sentence. Society’s view on incarceration began to change and

slowly shifted to rehabilitation, education and early release. This is evident today with the

passing of California’s Proposition 47 and 57. Society’s views and expectations have shaped law

enforcement’s transparency policies and forced police agencies to deploy body worn cameras.

Law enforcement leaders should begin to review societal demands and begin to research ethical

and efficient solutions to address the next big demand from the public. Getting an early start can

identify the best solution that fits into the agency and the community.

As public safety leaders look inward on their own agency it’s equally as important to look

outward on social and criminal justice controversy. A effective leader should understand changes

to current practices that could be mandated at their department. These changes could be a local

issue such as a city ordinance, state-wide such as Senate Bill 1421 surrounding law

enforcement’s privacy rights or at national level such as the debate of a national use of force

standard. In my Use of Force Debate paper, I researched the national debate of limiting officer’s

use of force and creating a national standard for all peace officers. I argued that the current

standard (Graham versus Conner) is the national standard and it should not be altered. Even

though I proposed to retain the current standard for use of force, I believe an effective leader

should establish a firm understanding of both positions and the national impact each decision

could have on public safety. This can help guide an agency’s leaders to better decision making,

prepare the agency for legal amendments and participate in the creation of policy changes.
 A 21st century law enforcement leader should assess their agency to ensure its evolving

with its community. Effective leaders should research current trends and political influences in

anticipation of changes that could affect their agency. This can help better prepare the

department for challenges and build trust from the community.