Delegation

This chapter explains the importance of the delegation of work within a team. It clarifies that a sergeant or inspector leader cannot do everything that needs to be done on his or her own. Thus, leaders have a responsibility to manage workloads, relieve stress and encourage the development of individual and team competence. Moreover, delegation is expected to form part of a structured individual and team development programme. While leaders can delegate responsibility, authority and tasks to members, they cannot delegate accountability and are ultimately accountable themselves for situations that go wrong. The chapter details the conditions to achieve a successful delegation, which includes being clear about the reasons for delegation.