Date of Conferral
9-10-2026
Date of Award
September 2026
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Criminal Justice
Advisor
Joseph McMillan
Abstract
This study examines leadership in a community policing context. It addresses a long-standing problem: injustice, inequality, and unfair treatment. Specifically, it examines community policing and the impact of law enforcement leadership, particularly servant leadership, on policing outcomes. Greenleaf’s Theory of Servant Leadership guided this study. Participants included mid- to senior-level law enforcement officers with community policing experience, at least three years of leadership experience, and at least 18 years of age. Recruitment occurred through social media outlets such as Facebook and Instagram. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 19 participants. Thematic analysis produced six themes: community engagement and partnerships; leadership, influence, and organizational culture; trust and legitimacy; training and development; problem-solving and preventive policing; and community-centered values and relationships. These findings may foster positive social change by challenging law enforcement leaders to find innovative ways to bridge the gap between their organizations and the communities they serve.
Recommended Citation
Gates, Ryan, "The Impact of Leadership Styles from Traditional Policing to Community Policing" (2026). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 20809.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/20809
