The Great Leader Series No.18 - Steve Finnigan

Late last year, when visiting Lancashire, I met several police officers. These were all uniformed officers, both constables and sergeants, male and female. Over a period of four days, meeting twice a day, we began to talk: just friendly chitchat, passing the time of day and being silly. All the while though, their eyes and senses were alert to anything suspicious. These people shared one overall boss, their chief constable, Steve Finnigan.

When it came to choosing my great leader this month, I decided to research this gentleman…… and interview him if possible.

Steve Finnigan is a self-effacing man. On meeting him, his first thoughts were about how I could possibly perceive him as a great leader. We discussed how I had heard of him, and where he fitted into my criteria for great leaders. I explained about my conversations with the uniformed officers who had expressed admiration for his leadership. “We’ve got a good boss.” Anyone who can create that kind of loyalty in his team must be a great leader.

We sat and chatted and it became obvious that he had read all the books and attended all the right courses…he could certainly speak the speak!

Steve joined the police in 1976 after studying at a local comprehensive school in Liverpool. He spent twenty-five years as a policeman in Liverpool before moving to the Lancashire Constabulary some seven years ago. During this time, he studied for a degree with the Open University. He completed his formal education by spending a year at St John’s College, Cambridge.

Steve is in charge of a force, which serves 1.4 million people. This service can only be provided by a committed group of people who are willing to take on tasks and be relied upon to be responsible for the outcome.

He believes in a devolved organisation in which individuals and districts are given ownership of their own duties and tasks, within the force structure. He has six divisional commanders who are trusted to carry out relevant tasks.

The Lancashire Police Authority is very supportive of all the work done by Steve and his force. To be a good leader it is necessary to effectively communicate with your peers, your governing body and your people.

The work of a police force is unique. It is a service that has to work under strict guidelines. All businesses have to work within the law, whether it be health and safety rules, the Inland Revenue rules and many others but the Police have to work within those rules and enforce the law as well. It is often dangerous work where split second, life and death decisions have to be made. And if a wrong decision is made……..

Lancashire Police Constabulary is the tenth largest force in the UK and last October was announced to be joint top performing force with Surrey, much to Steve Finnigan’s chagrin. He had hoped to have the single top performing constabulary!

The Lancashire Constabulary has 3,680 officers, 2,000 staff and a Special Constabulary of approximately 6,000.

Set all this against the tight monetary budget allowed by the government, the essential targets, also set by government, the public’s interest in violent crime particularly knife crime and any Chief Constable has his work cut out to do an effective job.

I met several officers and staff, all of whom had a great respect for their Chief Constable. They also seemed content and relaxed in their work. There was plenty of good humoured banter in the building and amongst the officers out in the public areas. If the “boss” inspires such loyalty, then he must be doing the job well.

“As a serving Police Constable in Lancashire Constabulary, I could not and would not go on strike” Ben [BBC News 24 12 December 2007]

This comment was about prospective strike action by police forces over pay. Why did Ben mention Lancashire?

Chief Constable Steve Finnigan has read all the books, has taken on board all the good things, and applied them to his actions. However, he is much more than that. He is a gifted leader, who has empowered his people by delegation and trust so they can go out and provide a service to the people of Lancashire that is second to none.

Story By: Anne Walker

Date : 01-11-2008