Leadership Model

The Center’s training curriculum has been built around the IACP’s comprehensive leadership model, which was developed through a grant from the US Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS). The IACP leadership model is based on the tenets of dispersed leadership, which reflect documented best practices in the public and private sectors, the military, and the justice system. It is rooted in community oriented policing theory and addresses leadership as an agency-wide concept, reaching all ranks and positions. In recognition of the diversity of police agencies and the communities they serve, the model is designed to be adaptable to an agency’s individual mission and philosophy. Even though the model is flexible, it has at its foundation a set of core values that reflect the nature of our profession: duty, honor, service, dignity, respect for others, integrity, courage and loyalty.

The unique and distinguishing feature of the IACP model is its focus on the systematic development of leaders at all levels of an organization––the concept of “every officer a leader.” A police organization can no longer rely on a single leader or a small group of leaders. In order to develop leaders, law enforcement executives must first create a culture in their organizations that is supportive of dispersed leadership. This means establishing expectations that officers will take leadership actions at their level of responsibility, and it means providing training, support, and rewards to those who do.

Guiding Principles

• Leader development is a career long process:
  • Leaders change, learn and mature; situations change; levels of responsibility change.
• Organizations need a leadership system:
  • Dispersed leadership; leaders at all levels; leading in different ways.
• Leader development should be sequential and progressive:
  • Anticipate and/or respond to changes.
• Core leadership practices vary based on organizational level.
• Leader development is a leadership role and responsibility.
• Senior leaders must create and maintain a culture supportive of dispersed leadership.
• Leader development means change in beliefs, values, attitudes, knowledge and skills.
• Different development strategies are needed for different areas of development.
• Complete leader development process includes:
  • Formal education and training
  • In-Service
    • Collective
    • Individual
  • Learning through experience on the job
• Self-development (reading, reflection and peer interaction)

Interested in learning more about dispersed leadership?

Contact policeleadership@theiacp.org.