What occurs within a police agency when the organizational leader vacates the position, whether the departure is planned or it occurs rather abruptly? Will the organization flounder, or will it move in a positive direction? How about the individuals within the organization; will they stay focused and on track, or will they become distracted and concerned about a future that seems uncertain?

The answer to these questions is simple: It depends greatly on the actions of organizations’ leaders during their tenures and through the periods leading up to their departures. If the agency head has engaged in sound leadership practices, and if a positive direction and a sound legacy have been established, the organizational direction will not only stay on course but may actually improve. This is not necessarily best accomplished through a process of succession planning as traditionally considered, but rather through an expanded process that intentionally engages organization-wide leadership and staff development practices.