Abstract:
Though there are spirited efforts to create and maintain a high a performing police agency in Kenya, there is still a need to examine and re-engineer the leadership models administered within the parameters of managing police officers. Therefore, this research paper sought to find out the effect of selected leadership approaches on the integrity violations by police officers in Kenya, with an ethical focus. A survey questionnaire was developed and employed to gather information from 250 respondents (Police trained officers) from selected police stations in Kenya. Collected information was analyzed using Sigma XL software, and the data presented in correlation tables, regression tables as well as graphical analysis. The paper found out that role modeling, strictness, and openness of leaders influence the behavior of police officers, but the impact of the variables on the different types of integrity violations varies. Role modeling is especially significant in limiting unethical conduct in the context of interpersonal relationships. Employees appear to copy the leader’s integrity standards in their daily interaction with one another. Strictness is important as well, but appears to be particularly effective in controlling fraud; corruption and the misuse of resources. The results in this paper have implications for integrity violations and leadership training in police administration in Kenya. A multifaceted ethical and moral leadership strategy will be most effective in safeguarding and improving the integrity of (police) organizations not only in Kenya but also to other nations of the world.
