Patrick Oliver, Ph.D.

Antioch University

Ph.D.

Leadership and Change

Baldwin Wallace College

M.B.A.

Baldwin Wallace College

B.A.

Criminal Justice

Managing interoperable communications

2013

Every local law enforcement agency must plan for communications interoperability to effectively manage an emergency within their jurisdiction. What is the “best practices” way for a local jurisdiction to effectively address the challenges of public safety communications interoperability? The goal of interoperability is to facilitate effective communication among various agencies in an emergency situation. One challenge in establishing interoperability is the decentralized nature of law enforcement in the United States. Most critical infrastructure is made up of local agencies, meaning infrastructure differs in each city and the federal government will not get involved in an emergency situation until it is asked to do so. Four factors inhibit agencies from communicating: 1) incompatible communications technology, 2) limited planning in updating and incorporating communications technology, 3) limited and fragmented radio spectrums, and 4) lack of coordination and cooperation between agencies.

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Entry level assessment center (ELAC) predictors for success as law enforcement officers: a pilot study

2013

Our present study undertakes an appraisal of a program designed to predict success in future law enforcement officers. We utilized a variety of both methods as well as modalities, and data was collected at various cross-sections of time. Our sample consisted mostly of Caucasian police officer hires, due to the nature of the available, although it included minority officers from three cultural backgrounds. As a pilot study, we utilized one time period as the basis for appraising the criterion for success, due to the grant requirement and need to report initial results. Nonetheless, we consider this a pilot study, with 80 tracking the officers in subsequent years as a possibility for future research as part of an ongoing,
longitudinal project.

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Challenges & recommendations for the aspiring women police leaders

2012

Women in law enforcement bring talent, intelligence and ability to the policing profession. Not every woman is a leader, but every woman can lead within her area of responsibility or influence. The challenges of the profession have never been greater, therefore now is the time for women police leaders of all ranks and positions to bring new ideas and strategies to improve the quality of the law enforcement profession.

Leadership means bringing both change and unity. Leadership is an intangible quality, yet we know it when we have experienced it. In spite of the multitude concepts, leadership generally 1) involves a process; 2) involves influence; 3) occurs in a group context; and involves goal attainment.

Leadership is not bound by rank or position; instead, it involves certain traits, including flexibility, inner thought, inspiration, and the courage to take risks. The women who paved the way for females in policing used their feminine personality strengths and skills in leadership to better their professions.

Many of the women in the history of policing hold “first” positions, such as the first female agent, or first female team member. Women continue to expand their roles and assignments in law enforcement. Even though these “first” women do not all hold management positions, they all have the potential for leadership in law enforcement.

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