Effective leadership is critical to the success of organizations- and the Met Police is no exception. As one of the largest and most respected police forces in the world, the Met requires a system of leadership that is flexible, transparent, and grounded in best practices. The met police leadership framework (MPLF) is that system- and in this article, we will explore it in detail.
What is the met police leadership framework?
MPLF is a system of leadership designed for the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), which is responsible for law enforcement in Greater London, England. The framework was developed in response to the increasing complexity of policing in the 21st century, and to provide a consistent approach to leadership across the organization.
The MPLF sets out the expectations for leaders at all levels of the MPS, from constable to commissioner. It comprises of ten competencies, each of which contains a description of behaviours that define the expectation for that particular competency.
The Ten Competencies of MPLF
1. Leads with Integrity and Justice- Model ethical behaviour and justice, using authority fairly and legally, and without prejudice.
2. Works Collaboratively- Collaborate with others, building and maintaining strong relationships both internally and externally.
3. Communicates Effectively- Engage, influence and articulate in a way that is clear, concise and professional.
4. Takes Decisions- Make considered and timely decisions, using a range of sources and statistical and other data.
5. Manages Self- Reflect on own strengths and weaknesses and act according to your values. Show resilience and be open to change.
6. Takes Responsibility- Hold self and others accountable for achieving goals and results, taking responsibility for mistakes and addressing underperformance.
7. Develops and Coaches Others- Develop individuals and teams by providing challenging and stretching opportunities, constructive feedback, and appropriate support and training.
8. Inspires Engagement- Motivate and engage staff by showcasing MPS core values, treating the staff with respect and compassion, and creating an inclusive and supportive working environment.
9. Delivers Results- Plan, deliver and exceed targets, adapting and reacting to challenges appropriately.
10. Innovates and Improves- Embrace and support creative and innovative ideas, share your knowledge and encourage participation to will create new ideas for MPS to provide a service that meets the needs of the community.
Implementing the MPLF
Although the MPLF competencies are specific to the MPS, they are not entirely restrictive and they can be adapted to other industries. They offer a clear and comprehensive set of behaviours and skills that are essential for leadership success in the modern age.
The MPS ensures that the competencies are embedded in the organization in several ways:
1. The MPU (Metropolitan Police University) arranges a variety of training sessions and courses to implement the competencies into the leadership style of the MPS’s leaders
2. The MPS’s leadership uses the MPLF competencies to assess and develop the skills of its leaders during its selection process, and assessment centres as well as through performance reviews, and 360-degree reviews.
3. The MPS provides continuous guidance and support to leaders and staff as required, offering support for self-reflection and improvement to help drive performance and drive teams to reach their full potential.
The MPLF has enabled the MPS to consistently promote the right people for leadership roles. The competencies have been developed with a focus on individual qualities in leadership, rather than time in rank. As a result, people are promoted based on potential to lead and manage, and not solely on seniority.
Benefits of MPLF
The implementation of the MPLF has had a widespread impact on MPS and its surroundings. Here are some benefits:
1. Enhanced Leadership Development- The framework provides a structure that allows for consistent leadership across the organization, making it easier to identify talented individuals and to create development pathways for them.
2. Better Community Relations- The competencies of the MPLF allow for more effective communication between leaders and the community, building trust and positive relationships.
3. Improved Recruitment and Retention- The MPLF provides clarity to potential leaders in what is required for successful leadership within the MPS, helping to attract talented individuals to the organization and retain them.
4. More Consistent Leadership- The MPLF competencies establish a consistent approach to leading teams in the MPS. This ensures that everyone is working together toward common goals, and therefore achieving great success.
5. Aligns with Best Practices- The MPLF is based on best practices in leadership development and management. By implementing it, the MPS has been able to take an effective leadership approach informed by the latest research and industry trends.
Conclusion
Leadership development is critical in any organization. An effective leadership framework can take an organization to new heights of success, and the MPLF is no different. Every competent leader looks to learn and grow and the MPLF provides just that. The MPS has committed to fully integrating the MPLF competencies into the organization, and the results are already showing. The integration has allowed the organization to consistently promote talented individuals to leadership roles and has produced a level of cohesion and collaboration across the MPS that is essential for effective law enforcement in Greater London. The MPLF has revolutionised the concept of leadership in the Met Police Service and is sure to serve as an example for other organisations to follow.