The Impact of Servant Leadership and Christ-Centered Followership on the Problem of Police Brutality Against Minorities

Abstract

This thesis proposes that a law enforcement leadership model predicated on Christ-centered followership with a biblical metaphorical shepherding framework enhanced by servant leadership can shape individual officers and the police subculture. As a result, the leadership model can serve as an internal safeguard against police brutality in areas characterized by high concentrations of racial minorities.

Core principles and a leadership framework are drawn from Christ-centered followership for the law enforcement context, and servant leadership characteristics are integrated into the framework to enhance the model. As a result of the synthesis, the servant and shepherd model emerges as an applicable construct for law enforcement leaders to address the pattern of social distance, dehumanization, and power abuse that plagues police leadership and the overall police subculture. The new leadership model and a transformed police subculture can support organically a philosophy and methodology of policing that promotes harmony and peace in minority-communities, specifically African-American communities.