An analysis of the West Point Leadership and Command Program's impact upon law enforcement leadership

The purpose of this research was to study the relationship between completion of the West Point Leadership and Command Program (WPL&C) and the graduate's perception of his/her leadership skills subsequent to graduation. Additionally, this research sought to determine the graduate's perception of the influence of the WPL&C Program upon his/her ability to meet leadership challenges related to the attacks of September 11, 2001. Implicit in this research were questions about how leadership may be taught and learned. Lastly, this research sought the graduate's perception of course pedagogy and related matters. The effectiveness of the program was the prime focus of this research. Fundamentally, the program's effectiveness was and continues to be a matter of public trust, worthy of research.; This research was designed to study a population of 70 graduates of the WPL&C Program from Morris County municipal and county law enforcement agencies who attended between 1995-2000. The study consisted of four research questions, a survey instrument, a Demographic Survey Form, and a qualitative interview. The survey consisted of 11 questions and the interview 6 questions.; After two mailings, 22 surveys were returned. Sixteen respondents requested to participate in an interview. Ten interviews were conducted subsequent to the random selection of respondents through the utilization of random number tables. The combination of quantitative and qualitative instruments was applied to enrich the data. The data gathered from the quantitative survey and the qualitative interviews are illustrated within numerous tables throughout the study. The interviews yielded relevant data and provided historic insight into the challenges of and subsequent to the attacks of September 11, 2001.; Recommendations for the enhancement of the program are enumerated and were derived from responses to the surveys and interviews. Recommendations for future research are articulated as is the criticality of such need. Begun in 1993, the WPL&C Program has enabled its graduates to meet the challenges of threats once unimagined. From its origins in the Rodney King incident to the attacks of September 11, 2001, the value and effectiveness of the program remain relevant to public trust, public safety, and homeland security.