b'F E A T U R EInvestingin LeadershipBuilding Commitment & Buy-In from the FrontlineBy Paul Rinkoff, PhD, InspectorToronto Police ServiceI mplementingkeypolicyWhendisinvestmentinfrontlineviewed as unpopular or controversial, decisions, achieving corporateleadershipescalates,routineandor when emerging events that require goals,andleadingchangecriticaloperationalplansaremoreorganizedandstrategicpolicing isadailydemandforthelikely to fail. The reason is that front- aredeemeduncertain,dangerous, leaders of progressive policeline leaders, who are counted on toor urgent. organizations.Notwithstanding,withoverseeoperationsattheground so much emphasis being placed on thelevel,findthemselvesill-equippedArecentacademicstudy1high-accomplishmentsofseniorleaders,toleadunderpressureandwithoutlights the important role of frontline wefindthatthepivotalleadershipproperdecision-makingtools.Thesupervisorswhofunctionasa rolesandcontributionsoffrontlineimportance and impact of skilled front- facilitatinglayerofcommandand supervisors,namelystaffsergeantslineleadershipbecomeevenmoremanagement in police organizations. and sergeants, are often overlooked.crucial when corporate decisions areThe study demonstrates that frontline 14 H.Q. Summer 2022'