Authentic leadership in law enforcement: Narratives of transformation
Richie Rose B. Ginete & Nicholas S. Caballero
Abstract
This study explores the transformational journey of Chiefs of Police in Negros Occidental, Philippines, using a qualitative phenomenological design. Its purpose is to uncover authentic leadership practices, the challenges of implementing such leadership, and strategies for overcoming these obstacles. Data were collected through purposive sampling, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions. The findings revealed six major themes: (1) Transformation in Law Enforcement Agencies, (2) Authentic Leadership, (3) Commitment to Community Service and Leading by Example, (4) Understanding the Organization, Personnel, and Resources, (5) Inherent Resistance to Change, and (6) Building Strong Character and Professional Development. These themes highlight the importance of personal growth, contextual leadership, and community engagement. The study emphasizes that effective law enforcement leadership requires adaptability, continuous learning, and a deep sense of authenticity grounded in personal experience. Limitations include its focus on a specific region and population, which may affect generalizability. Nevertheless, the research contributes to broader discussions on transformational and authentic leadership in policing. Recommendations include fostering continuous learning and professional growth among law enforcement personnel, cultivating authentic leadership through contextual awareness and adaptability, encouraging community service, and providing resources to enhance understanding of organizational structures and personnel. Additionally, developing strategies to manage resistance to change and investing in ongoing training, professional development, and mentorship programs can promote a culture of fairness and positivity.
Keywords
transformation, leadership, law enforcement, authenticity, community service
Author information & Contribution
Richie Rose B. Ginete. Corresponding author. Master of Science in Criminal Justice major in Criminology. Faculty, STI West Negros University. Email: chengbur@gmail.com
Nicholas S. Caballero. Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice, Dean, STI West Negros University Email: nicholas.caballero@wnu.sti.edu
"All authors equally contributed to the conception, design, preparation, data gathering and analysis, and writing of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript."
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Funding
This work was not supported by any funding but the APC was paid by STI West Negros University.
AI Declaration
The authors declare the use of AI tools in preparing this paper, including Grammarly for grammar and language refinement and ChatGPT for summarizing, organizing, paraphrasing, and drafting sections of the manuscript. The authors take full responsibility for reviewing and verifying all AI-generated content to ensure accuracy, integrity, and alignment with the study’s objectives.
Notes
*This paper is presented at the 6th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Industry and Academic Research (ICMIAR)-2025
Acknowledgement
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Cite this article:
Ginete, R.R.B. & Caballero, N.S. (2025). Authentic leadership in law enforcement: Narratives of transformation. Industry and Academic Research Review, 3(1), 39-58. https://doi.org/10.53378/iarr.185
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) International License.
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