How to Be a Good Police Chief
The skills that make a good cop are some of the ones that make a good police chief, but many more abilities are required to be in charge of the entire police station. A police chief has to be politically savvy, compassionate and fair. Take steps to be a better police chief and improve the morale and effectiveness of the entire police station. Age, experience and active attempts to improve your job performance will create a police chief of whom his officers and the community can be proud.
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Instructions
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Talk to your officers regularly. Police work is based on teamwork. Keeping an open line between you and your officers will help you stay abreast of the mood and needs of the station. Try to schedule a 15 minute meeting with each officer every other month so every employee feels he is getting the time and attention he deserves.
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Practice your speaking skills. As a police chief, you serve as the mouthpiece of the station. Be clear and concise in all your statements. Work on getting over any public speaking nerves you feel. Be aware of the political impact of your statements and always think before you say anything.
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Institute a mentoring program to pair seasoned veterans on the police force with new recruits. Create a structure where younger, less experienced officers have someone to go to who may be able to help them with small adjustments or problems.
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Delegate tasks, when appropriate. It's normal to feel as if you have to do everything yourself, but relying on your officers to help with tasks will make them feel valued and free you up to accomplish tasks that only you can handle.
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Understand the station's budget and look for ways to get your officers what they need without going over budget.
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Act as a boss, not as a friend. It would be understandable to want to relate to your police officers and be one of the group, but being the chief means you exercise control and are responsible for the actions of your officers. Do not be afraid to discipline an officer when necessary.
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Attend community events and create an outreach program at local schools. Stay in the public eye. Since you are the head of the unit, you should be the one people associate with the unit. This helps your statements carry more authority as well as giving you the trust of the community, with time.
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Lead by example. Try to be the kind of police officer that you want your officers to be.
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Tips & Warnings
Stay current on all publications in your area, as well as publications written to help police chiefs stay connected to changes in station management in law.
Take classes from time to time to develop new skills. Management and public relations classes can be helpful.
Offer officers ways to improve their own education and training regularly.
