“Competency Frameworks – the efficacy of their use to improve performance in police forces”

“Competency Frameworks – the efficacy of their use to improve performance in police forces”

&nbsp;&nbsp;It is argued that one of the keys to the establishment of a police department, identified as an enlightened organization, relies on the proactive recognition of the processes utilized by its leadership. Included within these processes are the programs such as competency frameworks. Competency frameworks support a number of personnel processes for both police officers and police staff, including recruitment and selection, training and development, performance and development reviews, promotion, leadership development, inefficiency procedures and workforce planning. Competencies are an essential tool in the effective management of performance. They help both staff and management by defining the standards of performance and behavior required to be competent in a particular role. Competencies enable the police department to identify the requirements of different roles more accurately, match individuals to roles and improve performance. They assess the capability and potential of individuals, identifying their development needs and linking them to targeted training and development plans. Competencies create a common language with which organizations may discuss the executive skills crucial to their survival and competitive performance.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;The paper explores the use of competencies as a universal management tool for policing and their transfer to other cultures.