A conceptual situational leadership framework for station commanders in the South African Police Service

Abstract

Managers in the public sector find themselves in a challenging environment in which accurate planning and accomplishment of goals are exceptionally difficult due to political dynamics, development complexities, resource constraints and financial risks. Scholars are of the opinion that the effectiveness of leaders is a critical determinant of the success of public sector organisations such as the South African Police Service. The fact is that leaders in the public sector have to possess the relevant competencies to lead these organisations successfully to enhance effective and efficient service delivery. Matters are further complicated when it comes to the ever-changing South African Police Service environment in South Africa, which has a direct influence on maintaining the security and safety of the country’s people. Station commanders, with their subordinates, have to cope with a diverse set of operational policing functions for which they are ultimately responsible. Station commanders should therefore have the necessary leadership skills to lead subordinates to be effective in securing the safety of the people living in South Africa. The question is which leadership style will be adequate to lead subordinates in a police environment? In the police environment, senior police officers such as Station commanders should not only be trained to become good police officers, but their leadership style and skills should also receive attention. This study aims to develop a conceptual situational leadership framework for Station Commanders in the South African Police Service. The literature study indicates that most people are not born with natural leadership skills and qualities, but that leadership skills can be learned and developed over time. In this lies the value of this study and the development of a conceptual leadership framework to assist Station commanders to lead their subordinates in an effective way. This conceptual leadership framework is based on the theoretical knowledge gained from scholarly literature in this field of study. The researcher explored phenomena such as management, leadership (leading) and situational leadership in the public sector. The researcher further explored the philosophy and principles underlying situational leadership. This forms the theoretical foundation of the conceptual situational leadership framework for Station commanders in the South African Police Service.

This conceptual situational leadership framework should help Station commanders as leaders to move from a “one-size-fits-all” leadership approach to a leadership approach where different styles of leadership can be followed in any given situation. The situational leadership theory of Hersey and Blanchard states that to be effective, leaders must use the right leadership style for subordinates on different maturity levels during different situations. The situational leadership theory can, according to literature, apply to Station commanders working in police stations in South Africa and it may help them to lead and motivate their subordinate police officers to reach the objectives of their police stations and the South African Police Service in general. The study concludes with recommendations for the successful implementation of the developed conceptual framework for situational leadership for Station commanders in the South African Police Service.