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As a result of the events of 9/11, law enforcement
personnel have been confronting significant changes
in their tasks. The need for effective leadership by
law enforcement personnel around the world has been
critical. This study analyzed the perceived
importance of leadership characteristics for law
enforcement personnel in a large American Police
Department to determine the most important
leadership characteristics, using the Law
Enforcement Leadership Characteristics Survey, two-
part questionnaire. The findings indicated that
while police personnel at all levels considered
honest, dependable, competent, and broad-minded to
be the most important leadership characteristics,
there were differences in the importance placed on
forward looking, ambitious, and loyal that were
related to their respective levels and/or
experience. Courageous was chosen as the least
important leadership characteristic by all level
personnel. The results of this study contribute to
leadership development programs and law enforcement
leadership literature.

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Fatih Tepe was born in 1977 in Kars province, Turkey. He had
worked in Turkish National Police for 5 years before he came to
the United States in August 2003 for his graduate studies. He
began his doctorate studies at Spalding University with a major
in Leadership Education in 2005, and earned a Doctor of
Education degree in 2008.

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