Event Details

Superintendent Justin Srivastava of Lancashire Constabulary join us for our December Seminar Series, talking about Police Leadership & Vulnerability Demand: Are current models of Police leadership fit for purpose in light of changing demand around vulnerability?

This exploratory study examines whether the current models of police leadership are fit for purpose in light of the complex and changing demands around policing vulnerability. A qualitative approach was utilised whereby seven semi-structured interviews were undertaken with senior leadership in UK/USA policing as they have the strongest influence on organisational culture in terms of developing future leaders (West, et al., 2014; Bauer, 2006).

The majority of participants felt that although there is a multitude of models of leadership across policing; none of them were designed to address vulnerability. A similar theme was identified in the literature suggesting that current leadership models were founded on aspirations and perceptions rather than a formalised skill base reflecting upstream, collaborative principles.

The study suggested the need for further research to look at a competency based approach towards policing the vulnerability agenda. Key skills for this approach would include: managing the police culture, emotional intelligence, intellect, compassion, empathy and developing a flexible and adaptable workforce. The study also found that the majority of the participants had experienced personal trauma that had influenced their leadership style across the vulnerability agenda.

Superintendent Justin Srivastava

Justin is a serving officer with Lancashire Constabulary. Since 2016, he has been the national lead for the National Police Chiefs Council and Chief Constable Andy Rhodes on the national Police and Health Consensus. This work involved the examination of how policing and health/social care partners can improve how they work together and address vulnerability demand. In February 2018, Justin was also appointed as senior implementation manager for the National Police Wellbeing Programme.

Prior to this Justin served in uniform and detective roles across Lancashire. He has been involved in developing and implementing the East Lancashire approach to Early Action and Early Intervention known as “Transforming Lives”. This multi-agency approach is based on developing a single point of entry for non-statutory interventions (step down), creating multi-disciplinary teams based in local communities and intervening with people with complex - Security needs who create demand for public and third sector organisations. Transforming Lives” is now being rolled out across the Lancashire area and has been nationally recognised by HMIC as good practice. In 2017, Justin graduated with an MSc course in “Early Action and Professional Practice” from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) specialising in Adverse Childhood Experiences, leadership within an integrated partnership environment and developing learning organisations.

Prior to this, Justin was a Detective Chief Inspector and the Deputy Head of Public Protection for Lancashire Constabulary. His work included policy making, development and compliance for the Constabulary. Justin was the Constabulary lead on a number of portfolios including Safeguarding Children, Infant Death, Forced Marriage and Domestic Abuse. Justin has previously served in the ranks of Detective Constable, Detective Sergeant and Detective Inspector, DCI and Temp Detective Supt. on the Public Protection Units, and has worked on several high profile child murders within the Force Major Investigation Team (FMIT).Prior to joining Lancashire Constabulary, Justin worked on the National Crime Squad for England and Wales which involved the investigation of international drug smuggling, child trafficking and money laundering and he has previously served with Surrey and Humberside Police.