Evolution of Police Leadership

Policing has evolved dramatically over the last 20 years and, as a result, so has leadership. During the Stanhope Conference, a panel session focused on how police leadership has changed, as well as where we are now and where it is going.

Moderated by Roger Wilkie, Board of Director, Canadian Police Knowledge Network (CPKN), and Deputy Chief, Halton Regional Police Service, he gave an overview of how leadership has changed in the past 20 years and what this means for CPKN and police training.

The panel consisted of Sue Decock, retired Chief Superintendent, Ontario Provincial Police; Tanya MacLachlan, Staff Sergeant, Vancouver Police Department; and Helen Peters, Inspector, Winnipeg Police Service.

The panellists connected last February during a Canadian Credible Leadership cohort that Decock facilitated for CPKN. During the presentation, they shared their unique journeys as women in policing, and the leadership training they received throughout their careers.

“Becoming a good leader isn’t an easy task,” Decock shared. “It requires continuous learning and being willing to receive the difficult feedback to better improve ourselves.”

In addition to this, delegates heard from Chantelle Ivanski, Director of Innovation, CPKN; Chirag Bhatt, Inspector, York Regional Police Service; and Jeff Sandy, Superintendent, Halton Regional Police Service.

Ivanski spoke to CPKN being a Network and how it provides the necessary support to ensure police leadership training is meeting the needs of the police community in Canada. The Network can act as a collaborative hub to help support improving this training.

Ivanski also shared the results of some internal research that CPKN has done, you can read the full report here.

Bhatt and Sandy shared the research and work being put into a new Executive Leadership Program that is being developed with the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police.

“Our research shows that leadership training in needed at every level and rank,” explained Bhatt.  “Although there seems to be more of a need at the Sergeant level, it is important that leadership training is rolled out across the country for all ranks to ensure there are synergies and we can adequately support our leaders.”

The plan for rolling training out will start at the senior leadership level to ensure everyone will have the support required to foster the content learned.

Continuing the conversation around police leadership will be important to ensure we are fulfilling the needs nationally.

“CPKN is uniquely positioned to be the connector and ensure the right voices are heard to propel police leadership forward,” said Ivanski. “The future of this initiative is positive and CPKN is thrilled to contribute.”