Training Key # 548 - First Line Supervision Flashcards
Highly qualified line officers don’t necessarily make
highly successful first-line supervisors
Authority inherent in the job does not make
the means necessary to lead
A first-line supervisor, whose primary responsibility once was control over subordinates, is now
involved to a greater degree in the professional development of subordinates
The supervisor is the strongest influence on the
morale and performance of those who need to maintain a high level of motivation
First-line supervisory play the key role in ensuring that their subordinates
carry out the day-to-day mission of the agency in an efficient, effective, and ethical manner
Successful first-line supervisor must understand and apply
management principles as well as the department’s policies, procedures, rules, administrative processes, and management systems
The position of first line supervisor requires
emotional maturity, intellectual prowess, optimism, integrity, patience, and courage
Effective first-line supervision is the linchpin to effective and efficient delivery of police services and adherence of personnel to departmental policy
True
Effective supervision is all about
leadership
Acting out of genuine empathy for others and treating others with respect and dignity
processes better results
Leadership is classified
directive, supportive, participative, or achievement oriented
A directive style of leadership
autocratic and derives from the military style organization model
Supportive Style
Laissez-faire style. It is more of an absence of leadership
Participative Style – Democratic style
all members of the group share in the decision making
Achievement-oriented style
Concern for organizational goals
Ability to communicate effectively is perhaps the most valuable of all human capabilities and is essential for effective first-line supervision.
True
A large part of respect and trust is based on the ability of the supervisor to
listen to subordinates
Insincere praise, perfunctory listening while one’s mind wanders, and like behaviors are
immediately detected by seasoned officers and rookies alike.
First-line supervisory decision making can be regarded as either
directed or non-directed
Directed decisions are the easiest to make
True based on policies and procedures
Nondirected decisions are those
administrative guidance does not exist
most difficult responsibilities facing first-line supervisors
The disciplinary process
To instill an unbiased philosophy of discipline their must be
a history of dealing fairly, impartially, and consistently with officers in the disciplinary process
negative discipline
fundamentally punitive
positive discipline
constructive purpose
Positive discipline involves administering
counseling, reprimands, suspension, or other discipline in a fair and consistent manner
Inconsistent discipline can undermine the entire disciplinary process
True
the most effective approaches to positive discipline
Training
more suitable with the transgression was mistake in judgement, an error based in lack of confidence, a lack of information, a minor transgression grounded in attitude, or one that circumstances tended to distort in importance
Positive discipline
is appropriate when serious violations of trust are at the core of the transgression rather than a simple error in judgment
negative discipline
