Servant Leaders in Policing: The Role of Emotional Intelligence

• In Event: Leadership in Policing

Abstract

Emotional intelligence (EI) has been recognized as a potentially important characteristic for police officers, but few empirical studies have examined the actual impacts of EI on police officers, especially among police leaders. Theoretically, EI may serve to improve the leaders’ abilities to properly manage subordinate officers, which may lead to more positive outcomes for officers and departments. Servant Leadership is characterized by the leaders’ responsibility to serve and care for the needs of their subordinates. This level of commitment requires leaders who are willing and able to put others’ needs ahead of their own and to see to the personal growth of their subordinates. Using a sample of local, state, and federal-level police leaders taken from three sessions of the FBI National Academy in 2024, this study explores the relationship between leaders’ emotional intelligence and their adherence to a servant leadership orientation. We examine these relationships in multivariate contexts and discuss the implications for police research and practice.

Authors

• Ian Graham, Ferris State University

• David White, Ferris State University

• Joseph Schafer, Arizona State University