MEMORANDUM
To: Head of the Police Department
From: Executive Officer
Date: 5/10/2017
Re: Excessive Use of Force Complaints
- INTRODUCTION
Ethical leadership is a form of leadership that is driven by the ambitions of maintaining respect for the ethical beliefs of the organization, the values of the staff and the community and the overall rights and dignity of everyone (Shapiro & Gross, 2013). As such, ethical leadership upholds different concepts such as honesty, trust, and fairness. As promoted leader from first line supervisor to an executive officer position, I am expected to uphold ethical leadership as a way of giving effective services to the organization and the overall community. Based on the case whereby use of excessive force has had complaints from several people in the community, I am expected to use my influence as an ethical leader to ensure satisfaction within the staff members and the community. Besides, I should ensure peaceful coexistence between the community and the police department by mitigating and finally doing away with the use of excessive force.
- MAIN SUBJECT MATTER OF MEMO
Shapiro and Gross (2013) assert that peaceful coexistence between an organization and the community around it is one of the core objectives of most organizations. Use of excessive force is one of the factors that can break the rapport between the police department and the community. Besides, it taints a bad image of the police department hence is an issue that should be immediately addressed. One of the main issues of concern in addressing this issue is that several police officers within the police department including the brother to the head of the police department are involved in this issue of concern. By directly approaching these police officers and giving them a stern warning regarding the use of excessive force, I might face negative consequences. As such, my approach may retaliate against me, and I might even be sacked since one of these officers has a close relationship with the head of the police department. Moreover, I might create a bad working environment where the police officer involved might not support my administration strategy since I will be against their working preferences. On the contrary, failure to take immediate action may result will the community maintaining a bad image concerning the police department. Besides, I will have failed to play my role as a promoted executive police officer.
According to Mayer et al. (2012), as an ethical leader, I am expected to protect the image of the police department by preventing tarnishing of the name by police officers who use excessive force. A company brand is protected by ethical leaders who identify and resolve the ethical vulnerabilities which can cause irreparable harm to the brand image. As an ethical leader, I should ensure peaceful coexistence of police and the community by eradicating the use of excessive force. As an ethical leader, one is expected to exercise transparency in decision making by involving all employees’ representatives (Mayer et al., 2012). The situation needs a leader who adheres to high ethical standards in professional life. As such, I will openly discuss with the police officers including the issue of concern and the negative repercussions associated with excessive use of force. This decision will ensure that all police officers within the department realize the necessity of maintaining ethical behavior while conducting their daily routine. By involving everyone in decision making, the decision that will come up from the open discussion will be respected by everyone. Moreover, this will maintain a culture of peaceful coexistence with the community as a long term solution to use of excessive force. One of the suggested strategies for ensuring a good relationship between the police and the community is enacting projects that will ensure interaction from both the police and the community. Such projects may involve the police officers educating the people about their rights.
References
Mayer, D. M., Aquino, K., Greenbaum, R. L., & Kuenzi, M. (2012). Who displays ethical leadership, and why does it matter? An examination of antecedents and consequences of ethical leadership. Academy of Management Journal, 55(1), 151-171.
Shapiro, J. P., & Gross, S. J. (2013). Ethical educational leadership in turbulent times :(Re) solving moral dilemmas. New York: Routledge.
