Police Supervision.

Police Supervision by Ronald W. Glensor, Kenneth J. Peak, and Larry K. Gaines, published by McGraw-Hill College, Boston Massachusetts, 1999.

Many authors have written books on how to lead people and manage organizations. Most have centered on various techniques for top-level managers. Unfortunately, law enforcement administration has not received the focus it should in this area. Of particular concern is the lack of scholarly literature on first-line police managers, such as sergeants and lieutenants.

Police Supervision addresses this void with a well-written text that focuses on the problems and concerns of the modern police supervisor. In preparing this book, the authors have drawn on their extensive academic backgrounds and collective experience, ranging from line officer to deputy chief of a large metropolitan police force. Although their text covers supervisory theory, its primary focus remains on the practical aspects of a supervisor's job.

The authors not only focus on the practical elements of being a police line supervisor but also cover the legal responsibilities and issues of a newly promoted supervisor. The book contains chapters on such topics as ethics, training/professional development, and employee evaluations and performance appraisals. A progressive chapter on stress and employee wellness also addresses the need for full-service employee assistance programs that help officers with real-life issues such as marital, psychological, and substance abuse problems. The authors suggest that the benefits of providing assistance for veteran employees to resolve their problems far outweigh the cost of continually hiring new employees to replace those veteran employees. The authors also devote significant time discussing community-oriented policing and problem solving and future trends and challenges, such as team policing and the use of new technologies.

The authors write in an easy-to-follow manner and include case studies in each chapter that compel line supervisors to think through particular issues, such as the endless balancing of work quality and quantity. The book serves as an excellent primer for all new supervisors and a good refresher for experienced supervisors, as well.