Leadership and Chain-of-Command

What do you suppose is taught at the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command about leadership. Anything?

And how about in MBA programs at universities and other schools of higher learning?

It has been more than a few years since I was in the USAF or even with the Arapahoe County (Colo.) Sheriff's Department (ACSD). But, if I remember correctly, as an Airman I took my orders from an Airman of higher rank or from a Sergeant.

The sergeant got his orders from a 2nd Lt.
A 2nd Lt. got his orders from a 1st Lt.
The 1st Lt. got his orders from Capt., who got his from a Major, who got his from a Lt. Col., who got his from a Col., who got his from a Brig. Gen., who got his from a Major Gen., who got his from a Lt. Gen., who got his from a General. And the General got his orders from a General of the Air Force.

I can't imagine there ever would have been a day that a General would have called me and said, "Airman Philpott, do this or don't do that." Not even if I were about to follow standard operating procedures (SOP). And I can't imagine that a General would call me and order me NOT to follow SOP in a routine matter.

Would it have happened at ACSD? Would Sheriff Phil Baker have radioed me with an order not to follow SOP?

Or would he have called me on a cell phone, so that his improper order would not be broadcast over the police radio band for all to hear?

Well, we didn't have cell phones back in the 1970s.

And this is one of my main objections to official communications taking place on Department or personal cell phones; others can't hear them, and those conversations are not recorded.

What is taught today at Northwestern, where MCSD pays the big bucks in tuition, compensation and transportation for command deputies to hobnob with others and talk about how business ought to be conducted?

I'll bet that even CALEA has instructions, directives or orders about chain-of-command. And I'll bet that General Orders at the McHenry County Sheriff's Department lay out the rules.

What happens when they aren't followed?

If you're at the bottom of the woodpile, you're cinders. Toast.

If you're at the top of the pile, nothing happens. Nothing. Absolutely nothing.