Leadership Pipeline & Succession Planning

Leadership cannot be trained. It must be developed. Agencies with intentional processes can facilitate developing followership, leadership, supervision, and management skills, behaviors, and abilities and maintain a healthy succession system needed for stability. Jones Solution Group and The Police Leadership Institute can assist in developing a process for your agency.

The Law Enforcement Leadership Pipeline (LELP) is a transformative model designed to address workforce challenges in law enforcement by developing leadership and followership at all levels. As agencies face recruitment and retention crises, LELP provides a structured framework to cultivate talent, ensuring organizational resilience. The pipeline begins with pre-pipeline inputs, emphasizing recruitment strategies tailored to generational preferences, such as work-life balance and a sense of purpose. At the core of LELP is the agency's culture tank, which acts as a reservoir of positive practices and behaviors. This "fuel tank" powers leadership development through ethical standards, transparent processes, and employee wellness. However, neglect can turn it into a "septic tank," fostering toxic behaviors and low morale.

The LELP framework outlines distinct developmental passages, guiding individuals from self-management to leading others and eventually to senior leadership. These stages prioritize deliberate, experiential learning, with field training officers (FTOs) playing a pivotal role as first-line developers of leadership. Progression through these stages involves acquiring specific competencies, such as effective communication, strategic decision-making, and conflict resolution. The structured development ensures personnel are equipped to navigate higher responsibilities while fostering a culture of trust, rapport, and continuous growth.

To sustain leadership development, agencies must adopt intentional strategies. This includes recruiting practices that align with the agency's mission and vision, robust training programs, and mentorship initiatives. Agencies that embrace the LELP model often experience improved morale, better retention, and a stronger alignment between individual capabilities and organizational goals. By focusing on leadership as a core competency, LELP helps law enforcement agencies build adaptive and thriving teams capable of serving their communities effectively​. 

The Culture Tank is a pivotal concept in the Law Enforcement Leadership Pipeline, representing the organizational foundation that fuels leadership and followership development. A well-maintained culture tank is a "fuel tank," powering the agency with ethical practices, transparent decision-making, and supportive programs like mentoring and wellness initiatives. These elements foster trust, accountability, and morale, enabling a positive work environment. Conversely, a neglected culture tank becomes a "septic tank," plagued by distrust, low morale, and toxic supervision, which erodes the agency's overall effectiveness.

At its core, the culture tank determines whether an organization supports or stifles growth. Key attributes of a healthy culture include clear communication, ethical leadership, and opportunities for development. Agencies must actively invest in these areas to ensure their culture remains a positive influence. This involves regular evaluations of internal processes, mentorship programs, and field training approaches that emphasize leadership alongside technical skills. Recognizing and nurturing informal leaders also plays a critical role in maintaining a thriving culture.

Sustaining a positive culture tank requires continuous attention from agency leadership. By embedding values of respect, trust, and transparency, organizations can mitigate the effects of high turnover and workplace stress. The culture tank not only affects individual employee satisfaction but also shapes the agency's public image and its ability to attract and retain top talent. When effectively managed, the culture tank serves as the cornerstone for organizational success, driving innovation, resilience, and community impact​.