| The overall research problem addressed in this study was the lack of police leadership research that identified ethical leadership styles from the perception of the police executive. This quantitative study examined the leadership styles of Pennsylvania police executives from the perspective of ethical ways of influencing people. The study then compared ethical leadership styles and the association linking academic education and formal leadership training. The Girodo structured leadership questionnaire was used to identify the leadership style of 307 Pennsylvania police executives. Each leadership style was used as a separate dependent variable in a standard multiple regression analysis. The independent variables were education attainment and leadership training. Although the study found no relationship between leadership style and academic educational and leadership training, it provides the identification of leadership styles used by Pennsylvania police executives, expanding the base of research on police leadership. Other state police chiefs' organizations can replicate the present study or expand the study to include the International Association of Chiefs of Police, providing access to a larger study population. Because police leaders work with elected officials and the community, developing new strategies for effective, ethical leadership will help improve police efficacy in both policy and practical arenas, providing better protection for their communities. |
