The DOJ has given your group a grant to create a neighborhood project to increase racial equity. The responsibility of assembling a community-based team to manage the initiative’s execution has been placed with you, the law enforcement manager. Racial equality in the behaviors, policies, and culture of the city is to be achieved by the Race and Social Justice Strategy Team.
In a 1,250-1,500-word essay, complete the following:
Briefly describe six different constituents/stakeholders on your team (organization, title, and influence in the community).
As the team’s leader, discuss your perception of your sphere of influence.
What roles will each of your team member’s play within the group? Are there team member’s who will have dual roles?
Describe three types of power that you as the manager may need to use to
effectively lead this team. Give examples.
Describe specific strategies that you as the team manager will implement to keep
the team motivated and on task (4.2).
Describe what you hope to accomplish and within what timeframe.
Describe how you will evaluate the success of the team’s substantive contribution to
the mission.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide,
located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.
Benchmark Information
This assignment assesses the following programmatic competency:
MS in Criminal Justice
4.2: Recommend strategies to build relationships and communicate ethically with various stakeholders.
Introduction:
Creating a neighborhood project aimed at enhancing racial equity is a pivotal step towards fostering a more inclusive and just society. As the leader tasked with assembling and managing the Race and Social Justice Strategy Team, I am cognizant of the immense responsibility that comes with this endeavor. In this essay, I will address the key components outlined in the prompt, including describing stakeholders, delineating roles within the team, discussing spheres of influence, strategies for motivation and task management, goals, and evaluation methods.
Stakeholders:
a. Community Organizer – Maria Rodriguez: As a grassroots leader, Maria holds significant influence within marginalized communities and can provide valuable insights into community needs and concerns.
b. City Council Member – James Thompson: James wields political influence and can advocate for policy changes to support racial equity initiatives within the city.
c. Nonprofit Director – Sarah Johnson: Sarah brings expertise in implementing social justice programs and can facilitate collaboration between the team and existing community resources.
d. Police Department Representative – Officer Michael Brown: Michael serves as a liaison between law enforcement and the community, ensuring that policing strategies align with the project’s goals while fostering trust.
e. Youth Advocate – Jamal Carter: Jamal represents the voice of the younger generation and advocates for youth-centric approaches to addressing racial disparities.
f. Academic Researcher – Dr. Emily White: Emily provides data-driven insights and research expertise to inform evidence-based decision-making within the team.
Sphere of Influence:
As the team leader, my sphere of influence extends across various domains, including organizational structures, community networks, and decision-making processes. My role involves facilitating collaboration, fostering a culture of inclusivity and accountability, and championing the project’s objectives within both internal and external stakeholders.
Team Member Roles:
Each team member will play a distinct role based on their expertise and influence:
Maria Rodriguez: Community engagement and outreach coordinator.
James Thompson: Policy advocacy and government relations specialist.
Sarah Johnson: Program development and partnership liaison.
Officer Michael Brown: Law enforcement liaison and community relations manager.
Jamal Carter: Youth engagement and empowerment coordinator.
Dr. Emily White: Research and data analysis lead.
Some team members may have dual roles, such as Sarah Johnson, who could also serve as a diversity and inclusion advisor.
Types of Power:
a. Expert Power: Utilizing expertise in racial equity, community organizing, and law enforcement to guide decision-making and influence team members.
b. Referent Power: Building trust and rapport with team members through effective communication, active listening, and empathy.
c. Coercive Power: Employing authority to enforce accountability and adherence to project timelines and objectives.
Motivation and Task Management Strategies:
To keep the team motivated and focused, I will implement the following strategies:
Regular team meetings to assess progress and address challenges.
Providing opportunities for skill development and capacity-building.
Recognizing and celebrating achievements to boost morale.
Establishing clear goals and expectations, with accountability mechanisms in place.
Goals and Evaluation:
Within a timeframe of one year, the team aims to achieve tangible outcomes in promoting racial equity, such as:
Implementing community policing initiatives focused on building trust and reducing racial bias.
Developing educational programs to raise awareness and foster dialogue on systemic racism.
Advocating for policy changes to address racial disparities in law enforcement practices.
Success will be evaluated based on:
Quantitative measures such as crime rates, community satisfaction surveys, and policy changes implemented.
Qualitative assessments including stakeholder feedback, anecdotal evidence of impact, and progress towards long-term systemic change.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, leading the Race and Social Justice Strategy Team requires a multifaceted approach that leverages diverse perspectives, expertise, and power dynamics to advance racial equity. By effectively engaging stakeholders, clarifying roles, utilizing different forms of power, and implementing robust strategies for motivation and evaluation, the team can make meaningful strides towards building a more just and inclusive society.
