Reimagining the Leader Behind the Badge: A Qualitative Study Examining Perceptions of Law Enforcement Leadership From the Perspective of Law Enforcement Officers

Author

Willie NgFollow

Date of Degree

5-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Program

Educational Leadership

Advisor

Norman St. Clair

Advisor

James Simpson

Advisor

David Perryman

Abstract

This study explores the influence of leadership practices within law enforcement on the professional journey, job performance, and personal well-being of a career officer with over 30 years in the field. Set against a backdrop of evolving societal expectations and public scrutiny, the research investigates how entrenched leadership practices impact both individual experiences and the broader organizational culture within law enforcement. Key themes include outdated hierarchical practices, declining public trust, and resistance to innovation. These themes are examined using the new professionalism model, which emphasizes transparency, accountability, legitimacy, and innovation as essential leadership principles in modern policing (Bass & Avolio, 1993; Stone & Travis, 2011). This model serves as a framework for analyzing the ways in which leadership practices within law enforcement align or conflict with contemporary expectations and community needs, addressing a gap in the literature regarding how these practices affect both public relations and officer well-being (Griffin & Sun, 2018; Lockie et al., 2022; Mummolo, 2018).

Recommended Citation

Ng, Willie, "Reimagining the Leader Behind the Badge: A Qualitative Study Examining Perceptions of Law Enforcement Leadership From the Perspective of Law Enforcement Officers" (2025). Theses & Dissertations. 461.
https://athenaeum.uiw.edu/uiw_etds/461