Promoting Ethical and Effective Leadership for Law Enforcement and Public Safety Organizations
The above image depicts the 4'x8' mural which I had commissioned and installed within both the City of Oneonta and the City of Ithaca Police Department corridors to serve as a constant reminder to all of the importance of ethics in policing. - Dennis R. Nayor
My Personal Reflection:
Ethical and effective leadership must be the foundational cornerstone upon which all police organizations are built. Without this crucial element in place, an agency will lack the requisite legitimacy, trust, and public support needed to operate. The metric to gauge success must never be solely that of quantitative data; it must be inclusive of ethical policies and actions, rooted in quality leadership. The byproduct will be efficacy in function, trust, and superior public safety.
I authored four key graduate papers which directly connect to the ideal of promoting ethical and effective leadership for law enforcement and public safety organizations. The first describes my vision for America’s future drug policy, the next is a comparison of Former FBI Director Comey’s speech at Georgetown University and a PEW Research Center report, the third is a study of crime data manipulation, and the fourth is a perspective on organizational change. Each conveys ways in which ethical and effective leadership positively affect the policing profession.
In my paper entitled “A Comprehensive Vision for America’s Future Drug Policy,” I cite that the use and sale of illicit drugs is one our nation’s greatest challenges, equating to a $320-$400 billion annual enterprise. The paper examines how young black males living within inner cities lack legitimate pathways towards success, and that drug involvement is often all that is available. To counter this epidemic, I suggest crafting public policy that creates mentorship programs and role models. I also illuminate the need to make schools places where life-skills are taught and to shift from a punitive approach, to a compassion-based intervention approach. Pairing this with drug diversion programs and properly allocating resources can provide the hope that is sorely needed.
Another key issue in policing which requires ethical and effective leadership is race-relations, specifically between the police and communities of color. In my paper entitled, “Comparison of Former FBI Director Comey’s Speech at Georgetown University and the PEW Research Center Report Entitled Behind the Badge,” I highlight critical areas for improvements; explicitly, perceptions of, and perceptions by the police in communities of color. The tensions that exist on both sides are palpable and must be addressed to facilitate mutual understanding. We as police must also recognize our unconscious biases, while public policy must create opportunities for persons of colors. I cite that collaboration will bridge gaps, while helping to build mutual respect.
One of the most vital considerations to ethical and effective leadership is creating transparency. In my paper, “Case Study of Crime Data Manipulation and Misrepresentation of Crime,” I underscore the need for providing accurate data to not only guide decision-making and resource allocation, but for creating accurate depictions of crime within every community. Crime reporting can be misleading and even misrepresented for self-serving interests. Ensuring that the reporting methodology is sound, and that crime is accurately portrayed is vital for legitimacy.
My fourth paper entitled, “Organizational Change: My Perspective,” broadly addresses how an agency must function in a manner that is consistent with ethical and effective leadership, which includes the need to promote adaptability and survival. The paper stresses the need to understand cultures, to listen before acting, and to apply double loop learning to ensure that practices are thoughtful, effective, and efficient. Understanding organizational theory is crucial since it creates a means to identify and correct challenges while bolstering learning and growth.
All four of these papers align with my philosophy as a humanistic-based police chief in that they seek to build trust, while holistically reviewing challenges to find solutions well beyond an arrest. These works also critically examine our own flaws and serve as reflections for ways in which we can improve. Whether it is in gaining an understanding of the plight of those living in the inner cities, the need to build better relationships with those we serve, the need to remain transparent even when data is negative, or the need to be willing to learn and adapt; all of these concepts promote and support ethical and effective leadership within public safety organizations.
Ethical and effective leadership must be the foundational cornerstone upon which all police organizations are built. Without this crucial element in place, an agency will lack the requisite legitimacy, trust, and public support needed to operate. The metric to gauge success must never be solely that of quantitative data; it must be inclusive of ethical policies and actions, rooted in quality leadership. The byproduct will be efficacy in function, trust, and superior public safety.
I authored four key graduate papers which directly connect to the ideal of promoting ethical and effective leadership for law enforcement and public safety organizations. The first describes my vision for America’s future drug policy, the next is a comparison of Former FBI Director Comey’s speech at Georgetown University and a PEW Research Center report, the third is a study of crime data manipulation, and the fourth is a perspective on organizational change. Each conveys ways in which ethical and effective leadership positively affect the policing profession.
In my paper entitled “A Comprehensive Vision for America’s Future Drug Policy,” I cite that the use and sale of illicit drugs is one our nation’s greatest challenges, equating to a $320-$400 billion annual enterprise. The paper examines how young black males living within inner cities lack legitimate pathways towards success, and that drug involvement is often all that is available. To counter this epidemic, I suggest crafting public policy that creates mentorship programs and role models. I also illuminate the need to make schools places where life-skills are taught and to shift from a punitive approach, to a compassion-based intervention approach. Pairing this with drug diversion programs and properly allocating resources can provide the hope that is sorely needed.
Another key issue in policing which requires ethical and effective leadership is race-relations, specifically between the police and communities of color. In my paper entitled, “Comparison of Former FBI Director Comey’s Speech at Georgetown University and the PEW Research Center Report Entitled Behind the Badge,” I highlight critical areas for improvements; explicitly, perceptions of, and perceptions by the police in communities of color. The tensions that exist on both sides are palpable and must be addressed to facilitate mutual understanding. We as police must also recognize our unconscious biases, while public policy must create opportunities for persons of colors. I cite that collaboration will bridge gaps, while helping to build mutual respect.
One of the most vital considerations to ethical and effective leadership is creating transparency. In my paper, “Case Study of Crime Data Manipulation and Misrepresentation of Crime,” I underscore the need for providing accurate data to not only guide decision-making and resource allocation, but for creating accurate depictions of crime within every community. Crime reporting can be misleading and even misrepresented for self-serving interests. Ensuring that the reporting methodology is sound, and that crime is accurately portrayed is vital for legitimacy.
My fourth paper entitled, “Organizational Change: My Perspective,” broadly addresses how an agency must function in a manner that is consistent with ethical and effective leadership, which includes the need to promote adaptability and survival. The paper stresses the need to understand cultures, to listen before acting, and to apply double loop learning to ensure that practices are thoughtful, effective, and efficient. Understanding organizational theory is crucial since it creates a means to identify and correct challenges while bolstering learning and growth.
All four of these papers align with my philosophy as a humanistic-based police chief in that they seek to build trust, while holistically reviewing challenges to find solutions well beyond an arrest. These works also critically examine our own flaws and serve as reflections for ways in which we can improve. Whether it is in gaining an understanding of the plight of those living in the inner cities, the need to build better relationships with those we serve, the need to remain transparent even when data is negative, or the need to be willing to learn and adapt; all of these concepts promote and support ethical and effective leadership within public safety organizations.
Authored works as described above:
![](http://www.weebly.com/weebly/images/file_icons/pdf.png)
A Comprehensive Vision for America’s Future Drug Policy by Dennis R. Nayor.pdf |
![](http://www.weebly.com/weebly/images/file_icons/pdf.png)
Comparison of Former FBI Director Comey’s Speech and the PEW Research Center Report by Dennis R. Nayor.pdf |
![](http://www.weebly.com/weebly/images/file_icons/pdf.png)
Case Study of Crime Data Manipulation and Misrepresentation of Crime by Dennis R. Nayor.pdf |
![](http://www.weebly.com/weebly/images/file_icons/pdf.png)
Organizational Change: My Perspective by Dennis R. Nayor.pdf |