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Five I's of Police Professionalism: A Model for Front-line Leadership

NCJ Number
176765
Journal
Crime Prevention and Community Safety: An International Journal Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: 1999 Pages: 7-24
Author(s)
N C Griffin
Date Published
1998
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The model called the Five I's of Police Professionalism for Front-Line Leaders is a leadership and influence model by which police leaders can assess their own character and development and can influence and lead others; the crucial personal character traits are integrity, intellect, initiative, industry, and impact.
Abstract
The police leader's integrity must be beyond question. Integrity is a self-imposed obedience to moral principle and is represented by core personal values such as trustworthiness, courage, honesty, self-discipline, and tolerance. Law enforcement is also as intellectually demanding as any other endeavor. Police leaders should focus on developing each domain in the intellectual job description for law enforcement. These domains include knowledge of procedural duties, issues of discretionary authority, and conceptual attitudes relevant to police education. Industry refers to work habits that focus on results rather than activities. Initiative involves doing and showing rather than waiting or watching. Finally, the personal quality of positive impact involves a presence of confidence, competence, and a positive attitude; this quality enables a leader to significantly and positively influence others inside and outside the workplace. This Five I's model provides those who are serious about their responsibilities as front-line leaders with a method of achieving maximum personal development and a positive influence on the development of others.