The Role of the First-Line Supervisor
Kiyuana Pasley
Supervision in CJ Field/ CJM 306
Instructor, Mike Sullivan
Assignment #1
THE ROLE OF THE FIRST-LINE SUPERVISOR
Abstract
In the field of criminal justice and other careers, there are a group of men and women who are dedicated to their job and receive very little recognition for their hard work, and these are the First Line Supervisors. The first line supervisors are considered the first rung on the supervisory ladder and most often leads to management positions when they become available. It is the first line supervisor’s responsibility to ensure that the agency’s policies are followed by their subordinates’ and that the agency’s procedures for conducting business are adhered to by everyone working on their team. The first line supervisor is the bridge between the management and line staff. They are the people who keep an open line of communication between both groups on a continuous basis.
THE ROLE OF THE FIRST-LINE SUPERVISOR
The Role of the First-Line Supervisor
First line supervisors are the first on the scene and emergency situations. They are the one who takes immediate action. When incidents or accidents occur, the first line supervisors depend on their training, education and experience. First line supervisors must direct his or her subordinates as to what actions they should take. In a law enforcement or correctional situation, the weight and future implication or outcome of the incidents falls upon the shoulders of the first line supervisors. According to Goodwin (2008), for most workers the leadership-building process starts when they become supervisors. Some may get a head start through experience as club officers, team captains, chairpersons, and officers in trade or volunteer organizations, but supervisory jobs are the primary
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