Investigating the Role of Police Leadership in Promoting Ethical Behaviour: A Case Study of Kavango West Region

ABSTRACT

Orientation: Police leaders are put in their position to steer the police’s goals through their subordinates. Any conduct exhibited by the Police Leaders are benchmarked by their followers. This means that the role of the Police Commanders in encouraging desirable behaviour remains imperative in policing practices

Research Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the role of the police leadership in promoting ethical conduct within the police organisation, specifically in the Kavango West Region, in the Namibian Police Force. The role as an element in policing cannot be over-emphasised if the police is to improve and maintain ethical police professionalism.

Motivation for the study: Unethical conducts among the police officials in Kavango West has led to public outcry. Analysing the role of the police leaders to curb the scourge of unethical behaviour is important. This served as a motivating factor to conduct the study to understand what systems are in place in support of ethical policing. The recommendation of the study can help to alleviate unethical practice in the research settings and the entire Namibian Police Force.

Research design and approach method: The researcher used a qualitative approach method to obtain a sample. Semi-structured interview schedules were used to conduct interviews with police leaders (Commanders) at Regional Police Headquarters and the police stations in the NamPol, intheKavango West Region.

Main findings: The study established that beyond being seen as promoting followers’ moral effectiveness, ethical police leaders create a podium and environment that allow reporting of violations and avoidance of ethical transgressions. Ethical leaders “walk the talk” and promote ethical behaviour among the subordinates. Meanwhile, unethical leaders are promoting unethical conduct among their subordinates. The study also found that lack of communication, supervision, and bias in promotions of members are seen as some of the causes of unethical behaviour.

Practical implications: It is possible in practice to manage obstacles to ethical behaviour so that police professionalism can be improved, civil litigation against the police reduced and a good working relationship created with the public – an important aspect in the 21st century policing if the police is to gain the trust of the public and achieve its goals.

Contribution: The research contributes to new knowledge regarding the role of police leaders in influencing ethical behaviour amongst the subordinates.

Keywords: Behaviour, Ethical, Unethical, Professionalism, Policing, Role.