Superintendents in development
Superintendents in development. A study into competence development among police leaders (2009).
Researcher: Lieselot Bisschop
Supervisor: Prof. dr. Sofie De Kimpe
Co-promotors: Prof. dr. Marleen Easton, Prof. dr. Jeroen Maesschalck, Prof. dr. Willy Bruggeman
Duration: 1/11/2008 tot 31/10/2009
Research (De Kimpe, 2006) shows that chief constables feel isolated at the top and remain alone with their questions. The need for support is therefore also real. Structurally, no training, coaching or education is provided within the Belgian police organization once the level of chief of police has been reached. The focus of this study is therefore also on the competency development of police officers at the level of chief commissioner of the federal and local police.
Initially, this study examined the importance of competence development – training, education, coaching, networking, etc. – for managers within a (police) organization and formulate a vision on this. On the basis of these findings, a number of criteria were also determined on the basis of which training courses for managers could be studied. In a second phase, the diversity of public and private training and education for Belgian executives was mapped out, which are of particular importance for the competence development of chief commissioners. In a third phase, we left the Belgian situation and focused on the competence development of police officers abroad. Based on the findings from home and abroad, a number of cases were identified that were appropriate for the Belgian situation. These competence development scenarios were then presented to focus groups composed of chief police officers of the Belgian local and federal police. In this way, a support base for a Belgian competency development program for police officers was identified and recommendations were formulated.
