Chapter 8 In Pursuit of Equity and Excellence in Law Enforcement Leadership

• Published date: 25 July 2011
• Pages: 147-159
• Date: 25 July 2011
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-3660(2011)0000012011
• Author: Alexandro Villanueva

CHAPTER 8

IN PURSUIT OF EQUITY AND

EXCELLENCE IN LAW

ENFORCEMENT LEADERSHIP

Alexandro Villanueva

ABSTRACT

Law Enforcement agencies across the nation are in the midst of

generational turnover in the workforce. Current practices place most

of the decision-making authority and responsibility in the hands of

professional managers, far-removed from routine contact with the public.

It is the exercise of this authority that impacts organizational

performance. Equity forms a cornerstone of a just society, and the

functions of law enforcement lend themselves to demonstrate the multiple

facets of equality. The underpinnings of this concept are based on the

Rawlsian ‘‘veil of ignorance,’’ and Adams’ Equity Theory of Motivation.

A just society can only be based on the equitable treatment of all its

members, regardless of relative status, and in practical terms, this chapter

explores how law enforcement organizations can excel, or fail, based on

how they practice fairness, both internally and externally.

Leadership in Education, Corrections and Law Enforcement: A Commitment to Ethics,

Equity and Excellence

Advances in Educational Administration, Volume 12, 147–159

Copyright r2011 by Emerald Group Publishing Limited

All rights of reproduction in any form reserved

ISSN: 1479-3660/doi:10.1108/S1479-3660(2011)0000012011

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