Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to identify key leadership actions that advance law enforcement officer safety compliance. Officer deaths come at a great expense to law enforcement departments, communities, and families. Despite studies that have shown that many of the deaths could be avoided by implementing simple steps like wearing a seatbelt or ballistic vest, law enforcement leaders are challenged with safety compliance. Identifying key actions for increasing law enforcement safety compliance will offer leaders practical strategies to advance safety within their departments. Methods. A review of the literature yielded the theoretical framework of safety inspiration linked to safety participation and safety monitoring linked to safety compliance. A qualitative design was selected for the study. The researcher used the dynamic narrative approach research method, which allowed for individual and group input to identify key leadership actions that enhance officer safety compliance. The participants were 10 California law enforcement leaders. Validity was established through the use of an expert panel, and data analysis included interreviewer reliability. Findings. The study identified 13 key leadership actions to enhance officer safety compliance in the key concept areas of safety inspiration and safety monitoring: 7 for inspiration (e.g., communicate safety messages and model safety behavior) and 6 for monitoring (e.g., active engagement and regular postincident safety review). While not major themes, 3 additional items of interest emerged. Conclusions. The key actions represent specific activities that law enforcement leaders can use to enhance officer safety within their organizations. The study revealed the importance of a leader's direct involvement in safety and the importance of follow-up in order to enhance safety. Leadership is an essential factor for improving safety in organizations. This research helps move theory into practice by providing specific actions leaders can take to improve safety. Recommendations. Continued research is needed in order to further understand effective leadership actions at different levels within an organization and specific programs that would be effective to further operationalize the actions identified in this study. The findings of this study offer law enforcement leaders key actions to take for increasing safety in their organizations.