Volume 36, No. 5 - September/October 2006 Campus Law ... - IACLEA

Addressing the Frustrations of Campus Police Chiefs and Directors
Continued from page 7
“Other chiefs/directors” is associated
with sworn chiefs vs. non-sworn, more
sworn officers and higher salary.
“What are the most helpful training/
education programs you’ve attended?”
63% Educational degree
programs.
40% State or regional higher ed
or campus public safety
conference.
35% IACLEA annual conference.
The “IACLEA annual conference”
choice is associated with higher education,
and more years as chief/director
(newer chiefs/directors attend less).
“The main things your boss could do
to assist you more in your job”:
55% Not much; great boss, gives
me freedom and support.
45% Could provide more budget
resources.
25% Could give higher priority
to crime and safety
concerns over other campus
operational issues.
“The main things your law enforcement
employees could do to assist you
more in your job”:
62% Appreciate the “big picture”
in the importance of
serving the campus with
respect and courtesy, and
of working with students
and employees to solve
problems.
40% Communicate more positively;
give constructive
feedback, stop rumors and
speak up openly and
honestly on issues.
39% Do their jobs professionally
and take responsibility for
their actions.
As chiefs and directors, they enjoy
improving their departments, having a
positive impact on employees, helping
people with problems and interacting with
students, citizens and community leaders.
“What do you do for yourself to deal
with stress and pressure?”
59% Spend quality time with
spouse, family, significant
other.
45% Individual exercise
(walking, jogging, weights,
swimming).
42% Enjoy time alone, slow
down, enjoy quiet time,
reflect, unwind.
32% Travel, vacation, enjoy a
change of scenery.
31% Relaxing, enjoyable
activities (non-active):
reading, TV, movies, music,
computer games.
23% Rely on spiritual faith, pray,
go to church, bring my
concerns to God.
19% Seek out comedy, a sense
of humor, ways to laugh.
“Ways you problem-solve on major
‘crisis’ issues”:
73% Brainstorm and consult with
top command staff/team
and those trusted employees
closest to the problem.
57% Personally examine the
problem and its history,
gather information, consider
all options and make the
best decision.
55% Always start by asking
myself, ‘What’s the right
(vs. expedient) thing to do?’
“Right thing to do” choice is associated
with sworn chiefs vs. non-sworn.
“Ways you develop support and expertise
in your top managers”:
71% Communicate regularly and
openly with them.
66% Lead by example, provide
an open and honest administration,
treat others with
respect.
61% Clearly delegate authority,
empower and involve them.
“If you were to leave your present job
for any reason, what kind of job would
you most likely take?”
31% Another chief/director
position.
21% Teaching, at the college,
community college or K-12
level.
16% Consulting, training or other
job in the law enforcement
field.
“Another chief/director position” is associated
with sworn c
hiefs vs. non-sworn, higher education,
fewer years as chief/director.
“What do you look forward to most
about your eventual retirement?”
26% Spending more time and
attention with spouse,
family, significant other.
22% Getting away from the
constant stress of personnel
management and top
responsibility.
21% Enjoying relaxing leisure
activities, including golf,
reading, fishing, horseback
riding.
“What changes would you make in your
job, if given the authority, to make your
chief/director job more satisfying and productive?
53% Better pay and other job
compensation.
28% More opportunities to do
other things within the
university, such as teaching.
25% More freedom and authority
to run the department
without unwarranted
interference.
The “better pay” selection is associated
with lower education, lower salary,
smaller colleges and fewer sworn officers.
Advice to a New Police Chief/
Director
The top ten suggestions for advice to a
new chief/director, starting with the most
frequently mentioned, are as follows:
Continued on page 9
8 / Campus Law Enforcement Journal