Date of Award
Spring 3-1-2014
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Abstract
On January 1, 2009 a passenger aboard a Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train, while on his way home from participating in New Year’s festivities, was shot and killed by a BART Police Officer. During the investigation that followed, the officer articulated a misidentification of his department issued firearm, for his Taser Electronic Control Device; as his reason for what he suggested was an accidental shooting. The incident prompted accusations of institutional racism and police brutality, from the local community. The BART Police District (BART PD) quickly found itself in the national spotlight and the subject of nationwide protests, demonstrations and demands for change from the community at large. Several public officials also called for BART PD to be disbanded altogether. This case study examined transformational leadership and change evoked by crisis. The study: examined leadership philosophies and theories of cultural change through the review of literature; assessed the case specific pre and post incident culture through the use of surveys and key informant interviews; and provided comparative data of the shift in directives for the time period January 2009 to February 2014. Findings from this case study could serve to provide insight to other law enforcement organizations faced with similar external demands for change.
Recommended Citation
Jennings, Jeffrey H., "A Case Study on Leadership at the BART Police Department Pre and Post the Oscar Grant Shooting: Leadership Transition Amidst a Climate of Crisis" (2014). EMPA Capstones. 158.
https://digitalcommons.law.ggu.edu/capstones/158