Leadership: Examining Toxic Behaviors, Traits, and their Organizational Impact in Law Enforcement | Chapter 2 | The Evolving Blueprint, Strategic Leadership, VALUE-Driven Police Leaders and Ethical Excellence in Law Enforcement

 

The chapter seeks to thoroughly investigate the prevalence, attributes, and organisational effects of toxic leadership behaviours in law enforcement agencies, as well as to assess viable mitigation and intervention techniques. The study examines and delineates toxic leadership, encompassing its dimensions (abusive supervision, destructive leadership, narcissistic traits, unethical conduct), its effects on officer well-being, organisational efficacy, and community trust, as well as the contextual factors within law enforcement that facilitate its emergence. Toxic leadership markedly diminishes officer morale, job satisfaction, and organisational efficacy, resulting in heightened stress, possible misconduct, and diminished community trust. The hierarchical organisation and high-pressure atmosphere of law enforcement intensify these adverse effects. Effective mitigation necessitates comprehensive leadership training, explicit policies, resilient reporting systems, and a culture of responsibility and officer well-being. A systematic literature review methodology was utilised to synthesise and analyse existing studies on toxic leadership, specifically within the setting of law enforcement. This study underscores the imperative for law enforcement agencies to confront toxic leadership to bolster officer well-being, promote organisational efficacy, and restore community trust. The results offer practical suggestions for leadership enhancement, policy modification, and transformation of organisational culture. This study pertains to law enforcement administrators, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners focused on enhancing leadership practices and organisational well-being within law enforcement institutions. In conclusion, toxic leadership significantly undermines the integrity and efficacy of law enforcement. Implementing targeted interventions and cultivating a culture of ethical and good leadership is crucial for establishing a healthy work environment and enhancing community ties. Additional research is required to investigate the complexities of toxic leadership in various law enforcement settings and assess the enduring efficacy of mitigation techniques.

 

Author (s) Details

Dr. John Motsamai Modise
Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-93-49970-95-3/CH2