Changing Culture in Police Agencies Using Transformational Leadership: A Small and Midsize Agency Case Study

Sunday, October 20, 2024

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM ET

Location: 206AB

Submitter and Speaker(s)

Jim Olson

Chief of Police
DeForest (WI) Police Department
DeForest, Wisconsin, United States

Speaker(s)

Terrence Gordon

Chief of Police
Thornton (CO) Police Department
Thornton, Colorado, United States
Chris Riedel

Captain
DeForest (WI) Police Department
DeForest, Wisconsin, United States

The presentation will be a case study approach to demonstrate how leaders can change culture in a police department using transformational leadership. Based on situations in the DeForest Police Department (22 sworn) and the Thornton Police Department (259 sworn), presenters will examine adverse conditions and how they effectively changed the culture in their agencies. In both departments, an outside chief was appointed to lead challenging situations that had eroded trust and caused internal strife. Leaders needed to enact major changes that would change the culture of their agencies and restore their reputation with stakeholders. This workshop will highlight the transformational approach used and highlight the successful outcomes leaders achieved for both their agency and their community.