Here is our current list of all 150+ police promotion exams

What are the best textbooks to study to prepare for your police lieutenant exam?

Which book is chosen by your agency for a lieutenant promotion exam depends on whether you are working for a large agency (150+ sworn) or a medium agency (50 - 150 sworn) or a small agency (under 50 sworn). You will also need to use your judgment and knowledge of how the rank of lieutenant is considered and structured in your specific agency; is it considered middle-management, top management, or if in a very small agency, say 15 officers or less, as an executive manager, i.e. assistant or deputy chief? The biggest difference being, of course, as an executive you need to be able to step in to lead your agency at any moment, so the demands in education are much higher.

Here is a list of supervision, management and leadership textbooks which typically appear on a police promotion exam for the rank of Lieutenant. Exams for the old and new editions are available in our testing center.

Challenging the Law Enforcement Organization
Effective Police Leadership - Moving Beyond Management
Police Patrol Operations and Management
Leadership and Management in Police Organizations
Managing Police Organizations
Organizational Behavior and Management in Law Enforcement
Police Administration - Cordner
Police Administration: Structures Processes and Behaviors
Police Field Operations Theory Meets Practice
Proactive Police Management
Professional Ethics in Criminal Justice
Reducing Crime - a Companion for Police Leaders
Stratified Policing - An Organizational Model
Supervision of Police Personnel
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
The Leadership Challenge 7E - Kouzes and Posner
The New World of Police Accountability Walker
The Police Manager

Actual Police Lieutenant Promotional Exams for any or all of the great textbooks listed on this page can be taken by you to use as study material within the Advanced Police Promotional Testing Course at PoliceCareer.com. You can also practice with a sample police in-basket assessment.

Try a few short, sample exams and online flashcards - at no cost. You'll receive an email with your login in the next few minutes. Then learn more about our exams and download or expert study system.

In my own career I rose to the rank of lieutenant in a medium size agency with just under 100 officers. While lieutenant is normally not considered upper management or executive rank, lieutenant in our agency became the third in command because of a flattened organizational structure. We had eliminated the ranks of captain and major and expanded the pay and duties of lieutenants, and cut the executive rank structure to be only one deputy chief and a chief of police. A second deputy chief, technically a major's rank and position, was also eliminated. So, I was in a special spot - as the senior lieutenant - I was a division commander, but in the absence of the deputy chief or chief or both, as the senior lieutenant I was expected to fill in as acting deputy chief and even acting chief of police, which I did on numerous occasions.

There are many textbooks that stand out for use in a police lieutenant promotional exam, all of which I have written numerous exams from for the lieutenant rank. Any of them can be used in a small, medium or large agency, since they each contain a comprehensive summary of supervisory, management, administration and leadership principles.

Also, besides those below, you should consider adding books to your police promotion reading list that cover the areas of COP/POP, Criminal Investigation, Leadership, Intelligence-led Policing, Ethics and also national and state legal titles.

My BEST piece of advice on this page? If you believe you are heading to a police lieutenant promotional exam any time in the future, you need to own and constantly read the material in the below 11 textbooks. They are listed below not in any particular order.

Police Supervision and Management In An Era of Community Policing - Peak - Gaines and Glensor. From me; Excellent book to study for career enhancement, and for a police lieutenant promotional exam. Excellent coverage of community and problem-oriented policing management and leadership topics. From the publisher; Taking a problem-solving approach, this book provides readers with an insider’s view of the challenging and demanding world of the police supervisor or manager. Aimed at first-line supervisors and mid-level managers, it covers basic human resource responsibilities (training and evaluating officers, officer rights, etc.) and day-to-day tasks (deploying and scheduling, responses to crime problems, etc.). This edition includes new chapters on union and labor relations, police operations and homeland security. Throughout, case studies get readers thinking about the issues and exhibits show what some jurisdictions are doing to address problems of crime and disorder. Visit us for the Police Supervision and Management In An Era of Community Policing exam, test questions, study guide and flashcards.

Management and Supervision of Law Enforcement Personnel - Lombardo and Schroeder. From me; Not to be confused with a similar title described below. People are always getting the two mixed up. This is a very nuts-and-bolts direct and to the point book that is easy to read and study, and the presentation is in the format where you can take this supervisory and management knowledge and run with it without hesitation. This great textbook makes for a very difficult police lieutenant exam.

From the publisher; This title is a must read not only for anyone studying for a sheriff, law enforcement or police lieutenant promotional exam, but also for current managers/supervisors who would like to improve their on-the-job performance. Topics include principles associated with a police supervisor's or manager's role as a leader, planner, communicator, performance evaluator, trainer, disciplinarian, and human relations specialist. Visit us for the Management and Supervision of Law Enforcement Personnel exam, test questions, study guide and flashcards.


Reducing Crime - a Companion for Police Leaders - 1st Edition by Jerry Ratcliffe. This is a very detailed and well researched but easy to read treatment of modern crime control strategies surrounding the concept of Intelligence-led and evidence-based policing. Great choice for Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and upper-management promotion exams. Visit us for the Reducing Crime - A Companion for Police Leaders 1st Edition exam, test questions, study guide and flashcards.




Stratified Policing: An Organizational Model for Proactive Crime Reduction and Accountability
From the Publisher: Implementing effective crime reduction requires deliberate thought and effort to integrate processes into the police organization, its culture, and the day-to-day work. Provides police leaders a clear path for institutionalization of crime reduction modeled after current police processes. It sets up an organization to more easily incorporate evidence-based strategies into everyday operations with the goal of changing a police organization from reactive to proactive.
From me: Groundbreaking - EXCELLENT work. Very focused, well researched, and clearly presented roadmap for agencies of all sizes to achieve crime reduction WITHOUT changing their agency size or rank structure. This textbook is a great choice for Sergeant - Lieutenant and Captain promotions. Our exam has 200+ questions.


The New World of Police Accountability 3E Walker - Highly detailed, hard-hitting and thorough textbook for mid and upper management police promotional exams covering research, background and implementation of all aspects of the new age of police accountability we are in. A detailed look at all accountability systems.


Effective Police Leadership - Moving Beyond Management, by Thomas E. Baker. From me; A very important leadership book I have used often to write a police lieutenant exam. From the publisher; In this much-anticipated 5th Edition, Tom Baker expands on the revolutionary leadership insights that made his first two editions so popular. This enhanced and expanded version explores even more strategies that help agencies, administrators and officers leverage crime data more efficiently and effectively. From explaining what a leader must be, do & know, to plans for putting expert-level leadership skills to work immediately, Effective Police Leadership is gold for law enforcement leaders. Great leaders aren't born, they're made...and this book makes them! Visit us for the Effective Police Leadership exam, test questions, study guide and flashcards.

Leading Cops in Turbulent Times by Capt (ret) George Saadeh. From me; Excellent new leadership and management title. Well-researched timely perspective on police leadership. Now being used in police sergeant, lieutenant, captain and upper management exams. From the publisher; Leading Cops in Turbulent Times is a clear roadmap to building high-performing organizations and teams for current or aspiring public safety leaders. Whether you're a police sergeant, lieutenant, captain or even Chief or Sheriff, this book will help you build or improve the hard and soft skills that are essential to great leadership. It is replete with practical, common-sense advice and examples from historical figures and contemporary leaders that will crystalize in your mind how to build or improve your leadership skills. Visit us for the Leading Cops in Turbulent Times exam, test questions, study guide and flashcards.

Fixing Broken Windows - Kelling and Coles. From me; This is an in-depth and comprehensive textbook that details the 1990s experience of police agencies around the nation implementing "order maintenance" as a focus in order to cut back crime. There has been a resurgence of interest in the Order Maintenance / Broken Windos / Crime Reduction topics and this textbook has started to be used in promotion exams including our difficult police lieutenant exam.

From the publisher; Based on a groundbreaking theory of crime prevention, this practical and empowering book shows how citizens, business owners, and police can work together to ensure the safety of their communities. George Kelling, one of America’s leading criminologists, has proven the success of his method across the country, from the New York City subways to the public parks of Seattle. Here, Kelling and urban anthropologist and lawyer Catherine Coles demonstrate that by controlling disorderly behavior in public spaces, we can create an environment where serious crime cannot flourish, and they explain how to adapt these effective methods for use in our own homes and communities.

 Visit us for the Fixing Broken Windowsl exam, test questions, study guide and flashcards.


Police Leadership and Administration: A 21st-Century Strategic Approach  - Walsh and Vito First Edition 2018 - Police Leadership and Administration trains police leaders and managers to search for strategic solutions, rather than relying on old formulas and scientific management principles. It shows how to tailor responses to the unique problems and issues that law enforcement professionals are likely to face in the complex field of police leadership, providing a foundation with which to adapt to an ever-changing criminal justice climate. This book is essential for forward-thinking police leadership courses in colleges and professional training programs. This textbook is an excellent candidate for police promotion exams for the rank of lieutenant, captain and higher management and executive posiitons. Visit us for the posted 380+ question exam for Police Leadership and Administration: A 21st-Century Strategic Approach.


Effective Police Supervision - More and Miller - now in its 9th edition. From me; Excellent, comprehensive textbook. I know it doesn't say management or leadership in the title, but believe me this exhaustive 500+ page work covers it all. I know many agencies (especially medium to large agencies) that choose it for Lt as well as Sgt promotion examinations.
From the publisher; Outstanding first-line supervisors are essential to the success of any law enforcement agency, yet many officers lack the supervision training necessary to excel. Effective Police Supervision immerses readers in the group behaviors and organizational dynamics supervisors must master in order to lead their teams and to help create an effective police department. Combining behavioral theory and updated case studies, this core text, now in its eighth edition, is a vital tool for all police officers preparing for promotional exams. Visit us for the Effective Police Supervision exam, test questions, study guide and flashcards.

Management and Supervision in Law Enforcement - Hess and Orthmann - From me; The Management and Supervision In Law Enforcement Study Guide and the accompanying police promotion exam for this title is one of our most often requested study items. I like this book for writing promotion exams and do it all the time, and have written difficult and challenging exams way back to the third edition. Now in it's 7th edition, this textbook has been used in the statewide, civil service police lieutenant promotional exam in New Jersey and other states for quite awhile.

From the publisher; a practical and straightforward book,  Management and Supervision In Law Enforcement focuses on law enforcement managers and supervisors, their jobs, and the complicated interrelationships between members of the law enforcement team and the communities they serve. The seventh edition begins with a general overview of the policing profession to provide context for later discussions of the role of managers within the field. Readers will learn about post-9/11 policing, research on the effects of 9/11, and the latest on data-driven policing, intelligence-led policing, evidence-based policing, and predictive policing. A new "Ethical Dilemma" boxed feature challenges readers to think critically about the moral issues faced by supervisors every day. This comprehensive overview of the responsibilities of law enforcement leaders, covering relevant topics ranging from the newest principles in policing to the exciting technological aids changing the face of law enforcement today, prepares readers to become tomorrow's leaders. Visit us for the Management and Supervision in Law Enforcement study guide and the promotional exam.

Managing and Leading Today's Police: Challenges, Best Practices, and Case Studies provides a comprehensive insider’s view into the challenging work of police leaders at all levels of management. Using a problem-based learning approach, the authors draw on their extensive practical experience to critique the organizational, personnel, and operational issues facing police agencies and to assert “what works” in contemporary police management. The 4th edition is a major revision, moving from a supervision to a management perspective, perfect for use in police lieutenant promotional exams. It covers new policing strategies, methods, and technologies transforming the field and demanding new knowledge of police supervisors, managers, and leaders. Managing and Leading Today's Police: Challenges, Best Practices, Case Studies  - Peak 4E exam, test questions, study guide and flashcards..

Police Patrol Operations and Management - Hale - From me; Since most new police promotions to sergeant and also lieutenant first wind up in patrol, I see this book a lot for promotional exams. It is a good, solid choice that is an excellent foundation for patrol knowledge. From the publisher; Based upon a practical application of theory with the “how-to” of “real world” policing, this book details the core functions of a police agency—covering patrol operations, goals, and strategies. It combines management theory with case study examples taken from small police departments. KEY TOPICS Specific chapter topics discuss police patrol hazards, community-oriented policing, patrol force staffing and deployment, special issues in patrol operations, and upgrading patrol effectiveness. For police practitioners, field supervisors, and middle managers. Visit us for the Police Patrol Operations and Management exam, test questions, study guide and flashcards.


Rising Through The Ranks - Leadership Tools and Techniques for Law Enforcement. From the Author and Publisher: Effective leadership is a journey, not a destination. Rising through the Ranks will be the starting point in that journey for thousands of men and women in law enforcement. Telling real stories of leadership and courage from police departments and investigative agencies, former DEA Leadership Fellow and Pittsfield, Massachusetts Police Chief Mike Wynn is the perfect author. As the only book of its kind, Rising through the Ranks will prepare effective leaders from local police officers to federal agents. From me: This is a short but very descriptive and hard-hitting book on leadership and courage in the face of adversity. Very good choice for promotion "through the ranks" from corporal through captain. Rising Through the Ranks promotion exam, test questions, study guide and flashcards.


Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement - A Guide for Officers and Their Families - 1st Edition and 2021 Update - From me: This excellent textbook is often used in police corporal, sergeant and lieutenant exams. This title should be required reading in all law enforcement agencies and in all police academies, with copies for each police family member. From the publisher; Dr. Gilmartin is a behavioral scientist who specializes in issues related to law enforcement. With twenty years of police experience under his belt, he currently provides service to the law enforcement community as a consultant. In writing this book, it was his goal to aid officers and their families in maintaining and/or improving their quality of life both personally and professionally. Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement exam, test questions, study guide and flashcards.

Police Administration - Wilson, Fyfe, Greene, and Walsh 5th Edition 1997 - From me; YES - this is an old textbook. A classic for use in police lieutenant promotional exams, but it is still in widespread use, for a good and valid reason. One of its authors and contributors is O.W. Wilson, AND almost all of the material is still pertinent to many sergeant, lieutenant and captain promotions up to today.
From the publisher; Perhaps no other book in policing has captured more admiration and market share than O.W. Wilson's "Police Administration". Now Wilson's text has been revised by three top scholars in the field. This long awaited revision combines the nuts and bolts approach of the original with an up-to-date theoretical and policy perspective that makes it accessible to students and practitioners alike. Visit us for the Police Administration - Wilson exam, test questions, study guide and flashcards.

The Police Manager - Green, Lynch and Lynch - From me; This is a widely used textbook for police exams for Lt. and above, and it is one of my two or three favorites. It would also be suitable for an upper-management exam for a small or medium agency.
From the publisher; The Police Manager gives practical, field-tested guidance to students and professionals who aspire to leadership roles in law enforcement, providing a comprehensive explanation of issues and challenges that they will face as police managers. Now in its 8th edition, it is a classic for use in a police lieutenant promotional exam, and has been going back to its 1st edition. The book is divided into four parts, covering historical and philosophical underpinnings, behavioral aspects of police management, functional aspects of police management, and major issues in modern police work. Visit us for The Police Manager exam, test questions, study guide and flashcards.

Local Government Police Management - 4th Edition by ICMA Press. - From me; YES - this is another old textbook (2003). But it also is still widely used in lieutenant and captain exams, also for a good and valid reason. It is a compendium from a great variety of management and leadership sources, making it unique in presenting solid, proven material from these numerous sources, all of which are clearly cited.
From the publisher; This brand new revision of ICMA’s classic police management reference includes new coverage of such cutting-edge issues as terrorism and community security, leadership and managing change, setting standards and measuring performance, information management and technological innovations, and strengthening police-community partnerships. It provides information for local government administrators and police executives on managing patrol, prevention, investigations, and transportation services; the special challenges of local drug control and criminal organizations; internal functions such as human resources, planning, and facilities design; and linkages with other governmental and nongovernmental agencies and service providers, including crime laboratories. The volume emphasizes the importance of personal leadership by the chief in facilitating change, setting standards, and fostering integrity. Visit us for the Local Government Police Management exam, test questions, study guide and flashcards.

Challenging the Law Enforcement Organization - Proactive Leadership Strategies by Jack Enter, Ph.D. Great book. Well written, no jargon. Short enough but not too short. You should read it, then put it down for a month or two, then read it again. From the publisher; Among the topics discussed are chapters on the impact of living and policing an unskilled and violent society, why law enforcement managers fail to successfully impact their agencies, and chapters on self-management, communication, motivation, and being more effective in our personal lives. Many of these latter “strategy” chapters have examples of proactive techniques used by law enforcement managers as well as “action items” to apply the principles examined in each chapter. Visit us for the Challenging the Law Enforcement Organization exam, test questions, study guide and flashcards.

Proactive Police Management - Thibault, Lynch and McBride - From me; This is widely used text for police Lt. exams, and is one of my favorites. Material is very cutting-edge and challenges many conventions and norms in the field. Well documented and cited. I can honestly say I know many candidates that very much enjoyed reading this textbook for their police lieutenant promotional exam.
From the publisher; It emphasizes a contemporary and proactive approach to police management. Various police management styles are addressed throughout, from traditional scientific management to the behavioral/systems approach to the human relations approach. Its chapters take a realistic look at operational problems that can occur within a police department and how a consultative, proactive management style can help solve and resolve them. Fully updated in this edition, its goal is to reveal how proactive management techniques and new technology are revolutionizing police management today. Visit us for the Proactive Police Management exam, test questions, study guide and flashcards.

Promotional Exams for any or all of these great textbooks can be taken by you to use as study material within the Advanced Police Promotional Testing Course at PoliceCareer.com. You can also practice with a police management sample in-basket assessment.

Are YOU prepared to respond to these police lieutenant oral board questions?

 

"How would YOU describe your knowledge and of police leadership and management?"

"How have you, or will you, apply this knowledge?"

"What do you feel MOST qualifies you to be promoted into this important department mid-management and leadership position?"

"This mid-management position is all about community and leadership. You are leading a team of department supervisors, reporting directly to upper management. Describe in detail your own philosophy of community and problem oriented policing, and how you are prepared to provide leadership in these areas on day one in your new rank."

 

 

 

Send me police lieutenant promotional exam and assessment center questions you have faced - one of the column features is that I will research and comment on written exam or assessment center questions you have heard, answered or encountered and that you are unsure or curious about, including any unusual in-basket items. We will be glad to give you our expert opinion on questions you have seen asked on exams and exercises. Send your questions to me directly - Paul@PoliceCareer.com.

 

 

The #1 BEST WAY to Prepare for Your Police Lieutenant Promotional Exam? Study the Textbooks!
Patrol and Field Operations
Criminal Investigation
Community and Problem-oriented Policing - POP/COP
Police Ethics
Intelligence-Led Policing
Police Legal Textbooks - Law Officer's Pocket Manual and others
Police Leadership
Police Special Topics and Titles, such as below;
National Incident Management System
President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing
CompStat
Performance-based Management
Police Report Writing
Multicultural Law Enforcement
Why Law Enforcement Organizations Fail


Police Corporal - Sergeant - Lieutenant - Captain and Above Promotion Testing
Corporal Exam
Sergeant Exam
Lieutenant Exam
Captain Exam
Management and Administration Exams
Promotion Oral Boards (Detective, Corporal, Sergeant and above)
Promotion Assessment Centers (Sergeant and above)
Police Promotion In-Basket (Sergeant and above)

Advanced Police Promotion Testing Course

Study with hundreds more police lieutenant promotional exam test questions and answers using the Advanced Police Promotion Testing Course at PoliceCareer.com

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Police Lieutenant Exam Test Questions

Police Lieutenant Exam Question 1
A central unresolved tension at the core of police relations with society is the
tension between crime fighting and ______________.
A problem solving
B professional crime fighting
C community policing
D non-crime service functions

Police Lieutenant Exam Question 2
Successfully leading change at any level of the organization is the result of
___________.
A innate behavior
B learned behavior
C organizational motivators
D political mandates

Police Lieutenant Exam Question 3
More than any other feature, it is the emphasis on __________ that differentiates
the modern patrol operation from earlier forms of policing.
A community input
B alternate police responses
C systematic problem solving
D crime analysis

Police Lieutenant Exam Question 4
The "Attributes of a Viable and Dynamic Organization" includes which of the following? Check all that apply.
(A) Effective officers will typically make many decisions outside the purview of supervisors
(B) Crime fighting is viewed as the most important part of the police mission
(C) Supervisors assume a subordinate role to the management team in making important decisions
(D) The development of guidelines and their evaluation must occur continually
(E) Accountability applies to every level of the organization
(F) Problem oriented and community based policing is the main focus of the organization
(G) A close working relationship with the police union is mandated and fostered
(H) Effective officers will typically make many decisions outside the purview of supervisors

 

 

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