Reflection

In the University of San Diego’s Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership (LEPSL)

Program, the second of four Primary Learning Objectives is developing law enforcement and

public safety knowledge and skills for the 21st century. In our increasingly complex society, the

demands upon the law enforcement profession are constantly expanding. As leaders, our

responsibility is to ensure that our core competencies reflect today’s needs as well as to plan for

future challenges. Conflict resolution, budgeting, and intelligence-led policing analysis are some

of the abilities required of today’s public safety leaders, and the following examples reflect some

of the skills and knowledge inherent to the LEPSL Program.

The first example is an internal conflict resolution strategy paper detailing a procedure for

a Chief of Police to evaluate the level of conflict present within a law enforcement agency. Internal

conflict detracts from the agency’s ability to accomplish its mission and can be mitigated using

modern techniques. By conducting a conflict audit, a leader is better able to identify the source

and prevalence of internal conflict, and in turn, formulate a plan for proactively eliminating it as a

source of distraction for personnel using interest-based solutions and changing conflict cultures.

The second illustration entails a hypothetical budgeting report of a small municipal police

department. Accurately forecasting personnel, operational, and capital outlay costs while

maintaining exemplary stewardship of scarce public funds are integral to a law enforcement

leader’s responsibilities. Beginning with establishing realistic Departmental priorities, planning

for expanding personnel, equipment, and infrastructure costs, and preparing a timely budget

request each fiscal year requires creativity as well as attention to detail, among other skills. Grant

opportunities may also be explored for additional funding; however, future costs must be
anticipated as well. This paper reflects the final budget request for the fiscal year, and employs a

litany of knowledge gained from the curriculum.

The third paper is an example of intelligence-led policing, using data analysis to examine

crime statistics and trends in the City of Carlsbad and San Diego County, California.

Technological advances such as electronic crime reporting, digital data retention, and modern

crime mapping have enhanced law enforcement agencies’ abilities to efficiently gather and analyze

what is actually happening in their jurisdictions. Measuring accurate data, compiling it into usable

products, leveraging partnerships, as well as employing real-time networking and other methods

made possible in the digital age have led to many success stories in crime reduction. The City of

Carlsbad and San Diego County work in concert with each other and surrounding jurisdictions to

share information and coordinate their efforts against crime trends in a timely fashion. In a results-

oriented world, these capabilities are quintessential to leader success in the contemporary

environment.

In conclusion, reducing conflict, sound budget practices, and fighting crime using data and

technology are but a few of the skills and capabilities I have learned in the LEPSL Program at the

University of San Diego. In the 21st century, remaining stagnant is an unacceptable strategy, and

pursuit of advanced knowledge is a constant necessity for leaders to remain relevant. The aptitudes

acquired here will assuredly enhance my abilities to perform my duties as a law enforcement leader

of today as well as of tomorrow.