Select a topic for your Capstone Research Project from the list of ideas below or propose your own idea.

  • How can the consistent use of analytical problem solving techniques combined with healthy emotional intelligence reduce the margin of error in decision-making and increase the ROI in training and tactical operations?

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  • Choose any emergency response of which you are familiar enough to discuss in detail.  It may be one in which you were personally involved, one that you’ve read about, or just one you’ve debriefed, but the overriding criterion is that it must be a true crisis; that is all five factors common to crises must be present. Describe your operational analysis and the situation at the onset using the five-step briefing and planning format (SMEAC). Using a SWOT analysis and format, provide a brief overview of your assessment.  Finally, describe how and why time was a critical factor for any aspect of the response.

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  • Describe your philosophy of the relationship between effective leadership and change.  
    • Provide 3 or more specific examples of current or potential change management challenges related to SWAT Command and Leadership, at least one of which that is directly related to risk mitigation in training management and/or SWAT operations.
    • Provide a brief plan of action or an outline for implementing positive change for each of your examples.  

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  • What does Servant Leadership mean to you?  Provide at least 3 examples of Servant Leadership that you have observed or can envision occurring that are directly related to the role of a SWAT Commander. At least one of these examples must be related to the selection, training or retention of SWAT personnel.    

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  • How do leaders build the strong expertise level necessary within an effective team if it suffers significant turnover? Explore why the retention rate on SWAT has declined in recent years and explore ways that commanders can counter this dilemma.  Make specific recommendations that will improve the recruitment and retention rates in the future.

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  • Multi-jurisdictional and Regional Teams have become a popular and widely accepted method of building a SWAT capability.  Explore such issues as cost prohibitions or benefits, as well as potential policy or political issues.  Examine a successful case where a multi-jurisdictional team was formed or develop a detailed implementation plan that can be used in the future.

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  • Define and apply one of these leadership theories as it applies to tactical teams:
    • Distributive Leadership Theory
    • Positive Leadership Theory
    • Complexity Leadership Theory
    • Strategic Leadership Theory

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  • Discuss the impact of leader behaviors that create purpose, autonomy and mastery in the creation of intrinsic motivation within a tactical team.

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  • Explore the proper application of both centralized and decentralized leadership behaviors and discuss their impact on succession planning  and promotion within a tactical team.

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  • Given the current climate where certain public sectors accuse the police of militarization, explain how classic strategic military thought is applicable to SWAT operations and contrast the philosophical differences to support its use in law enforcement.

Submit your Capstone Proposal

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Submit your Capstone Paper

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