Beyond Feelings: A Data-Driven Evaluation of Servant Leadership Models in Small Agencies

The challenging nature of policing, combined with increased national scrutiny, has created a leadership dilemma tied to officer shortages. Recruitment and retention are particularly difficult for small agencies, where the loss of just two or three officers can result in a significant staffing shortfall. Deliberate leadership that addresses organizational culture is needed to drive meaningful change. Servant leadership—a well-studied approach that aligns with the values of policing—offers a model that can help leaders influence recruitment, retention, accountability, and community support. This presentation shares one agency’s servant leadership journey, along with a related research project involving multiple agencies, designed to identify and measure the effects of servant leadership on specific policing challenges.