The Honourable Jason Kenney, the minister in charge of Canada’s multicultural policy and programs, was recently musing about the language of articulating this country’s policy on cultural diversity. For the thirty years since adoption of the Charter of Rights and twenty years after the Multiculturalism Act, the nation has employed the term “multiculturalism” as descriptive of our rich blend of cultures and heritage. The latest proposal favours the term “pluralism,” as defining a social Read more [...]
Archive for the ‘Police Organizations’ Category
May 13th, 2013
The True meaning of Diversity
Posted in Career Development, Community policing, Police Organizations, Recruiting 
Tags: character, motivation, multiculturalism, pluralism, Police Recruiting
Tags: character, motivation, multiculturalism, pluralism, Police RecruitingMay 6th, 2013
Puzzling Through the Politics – Part 2
Posted in Career Development, Leadership, Management, Police Organizations Tags: attitude, career, leadership, motivation, professionalism
Tags: attitude, career, leadership, motivation, professionalismLet’s examine the route to career success without dependence on politics. There are no Ten Commandments for success. There are, however, certain personal habits that will lead to top personal performance. Consider these suggestions: Show up – Showing up is the first law of policing, whether you are a rookie reporting on time for a shift, or a Superintendent scheduled for a meeting with a community group. Good cops seldom say so, but they watch intently to see who shows up. This is Read more [...]
April 29th, 2013
Puzzling Through the Politics – Part 1
Posted in Career Development, Leadership, Management, Police Organizations Tags: career, internal politics, police leadership, success
Tags: career, internal politics, police leadership, successThe spirit of adventure and the spirit of service are the traditional motivators drawing men and women towards policing. As the zest for adventure wanes with maturity and experience, the satisfaction of service becomes more important. The feeling that comes with knowing that you are doing meaningful work is a powerful incentive, together with praise and recognition. Everyone likes to know that his or her work is appreciated. There comes a point, however, when many people hope to enjoy recognition Read more [...]
November 12th, 2012
Passing the Torch
Posted in Police history, Police Organizations, Police Reform Tags: Calgary, chief of police, Edmonton, leadership, police reform, RCMP
Tags: Calgary, chief of police, Edmonton, leadership, police reform, RCMPMy friend and colleague Brian Sawyer passed away on September 30, 2012 in his 82nd year. Brian was a 21 year veteran of the RCMP who left that force at the rank of Superintendent to accept an appointment as Chief of Police of Calgary in 1973. No sooner in office he began the process of change that placed Calgary in the forefront of police reform. He introduced zone policing, dividing the city into four districts of 28 zones as an early adaptation of community policing. Read more [...]
September 24th, 2012
Tips for the New Chief
Posted in Internal communication, Leadership, Management, Police Organizations, Professionalism Tags: chief of police, communication strategy, leadership, motivation, organization, organizational culture, police leadership, resistance to change, stakeholders
Tags: chief of police, communication strategy, leadership, motivation, organization, organizational culture, police leadership, resistance to change, stakeholdersIn The Candidate, a memorable film from 1972, actor Robert Redford plays the part of a grass-roots lawyer who runs for high political office, overcoming every barrier while making risky promises until he wins an unexpected victory. In the famous last line of the movie the suddenly perplexed candidate stands alone and asks himself the chilling question: “What do we do now?” This is not unlike the challenge facing the successful outside candidate for chief of Read more [...]
June 22nd, 2012
Polishing Front Desk Performance
The front desk is the welcome mat of the police service and the first point of contact for people seeking information or assistance. Through the entry door come people intent on reporting a theft, a collision, applying for some permit or service or a myriad of some trivial and some important things – each one important to the bearer. If the first individual they meet is someone who is disinterested or grumpy, even angry; someone pre-occupied with their own problems and who Read more [...]
June 8th, 2012
Performance Appraisal – The Case for Change
Traditional performance appraisal systems use subjective measures for evaluating the contributions of police officers. Many argue that they reinforce paternalism and are out of step in a modern workplace that emphasizes team work and a focus on outcomes as opposed to ill defined behaviors and personal traits. The following excerpt is taken from the Peel Regional Police chapter of Parting Shots: “In our early efforts in Peel to emulate the principles of Compstat, we created Read more [...]
