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You are a shift commander assigned to the power shift (7p.-3a.) at your agency. Within the last 6 months, a 15-year veteran patrol officer (Sam) has transferred to your shift from the third shift (midnight-8a.). Sam arrived with the reputation of being generally sarcastic and considerably cynical. He was tolerant of his previous shift assignment but was forced to request reassignment because a recent divorce that resulted in split custody of his children. Sam made the adjustment so that he can be home to prepare them for school and to pick them up and care for them in the afternoon. For the first 10 years of his employment at your agency, he had been one of the most productive and energetic officers. Within the last 5 years, Sam’s energy and production level, as well as his attitude have drastically declined. For the past few months, you have noticed him openly expressing his discontent with nearly everything. On two previous occasions, you have informally counselled him on his attitude and the effect it may be having on others. Recently, you’ve had complaints about the performance of two new officers on the shift (less than 1 year of experience each), who have been accused of attempting to evade their responsibility and cutting corners. In conversations with each of the new officers, you’ve discovered that they had been coached to cut corners by Sam. In order to address the aforementioned issues, you have determined that, in addition to the new officers, Sam must be subjected to some form of discipline.
There are 7 additional officers and 1 sergeant assigned to your shift.
Based on your experience and what you have learned throughout this course, your assignment is to develop an appropriate and constructive disciplinary / job improvement plan for Sam. Discuss how you would proceed. Cover the following:
1. Do you need to do more research / investigation of Sam? If so, how would you do it / who would you talk to?
2. How would you meet with Sam? Where would you meet, when, would you have any witnesses, etc. Explain your thoughts about this.
3. What elements of the plan would you include? Explain what they are and why / how you would establish them.
4. Evaluate yourself and your leadership style in this assignment. For example, if would you take na authoritarian approach to the situation and why? Are you trying to send a message to other members of the organizations?
For the sake of this assignment assume you have the complete authority to enforce discipline on Sam as long as it currently does not include any suspensions or dismissal from employment. You also may integrate additional resources into the plan (Employee Assistance Programs, counseling, etc.).
While I’m asking for a PLAN, I am more interested in the leadership components / elements of the plan. Why are these the right decisions, not just for Sam, but the organization. What are you thinking about when you come up with the plan and its components, etc.
