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making a positive difference where you are now. To enhance your ability and effective- ness in leading, intentionally study the practice of leadership. You cannot lead with change and you cannot change without leading. A woman aspiring to be a police leader must be willing to be an agent of change in the agency, much like the women who were "first" in their departments. Exceptional Factors of Success Women law enforcement leaders who succeeded have been described as hav- ing a sense of vocation to their commu- nity, leading to a pioneering spirit, which allowed them to serve as a role model for other women in law enforcement. The weight of the research evidence on women police leaders leads us to the hy- pothesis that those who succeed despite the barriers are "exceptional women" rather than being representative. Some of the exceptional features artic- ulated regarding these leaders included: determination, hard work, courage, drive, commitment, confidence, respect for other cultures, building positive re- lations, and thorough preparation for leadership. Women inherently possess feminine qualities useful for police work, which should help motivate women to lead in their careers. Women aspiring to lead in law enforcement must acquire the com- petencies, qualities and characteristics required to achieve in their chosen pro- fession. They should pursue these at- tributes with the determination of those women law enforcement leaders who have gone before them. Law enforcement agencies, however, must contribute to their leadership po- tential by providing career develop- ment opportunities and inclusion in the workplace assignments. Aspiring women leaders must not be discour- aged by discrimination or other chal- lenges along the way to greatness. Many women leaders have gone before them, paving a road for them to follow. Now more than ever, law enforcement needs the contribution of women in the field to confront the varied and complex challenges of the profession. Patrick Oliver (police chief, retired) is a professor of Criminal Justice at Cedarville University (www.cedarville.edu) and may be reached at poliver@cedarville.edu. Jessica Lagucki is a Criminal Justice student at Cedarville University. LaO Post your comments on this story by visiting www.lawandordermag.com TACTICAL PERFORMANCE MATTERS TM CUT TO THE CHASE Introducing Original S.W.A.T.'s most technologically advanced boots ever... The new Chase series 800&,/.&//(( • ooo&gja;_afYdkoYl&[ge Chase 9" Tactical Side Zip 1312 Chase 9" Tactical Side Zip 1312TAN Click on EInfo at - www.lawandordermag.com reader service #39 www.lawandordermag.com 77 Chase Low 1310