Misconduct among police leaders: A conceptual model of transformational leadership, role modeling, and normative compliance in Malaysia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24191/jas.v23i3.13358Keywords:
Transformational leadership, Normative compliance, Role modeling, Police misconduct, Conceptual modelAbstract
Misconduct and integrity violations within law enforcement agencies are no longer confined to lower-ranking officers; disciplinary statistics reveal chronic everyday administrative infractions alongside an escalating trend in criminal deviance extending to senior executive ranks. However, academic discourse primarily focuses on severe criminal deviance while neglecting routine adherence to workplace disciplinary codes. Furthermore, relying strictly on traditional deterrence mechanisms and fear of coercive sanctions is insufficient for fostering sustained, long-term compliance with the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993 [P.U. (A) 395]. To address these gaps, this conceptual article employs a structured, multi-stage literature screening protocol to synthesize peer-reviewed policing and governance research, formulating a process-based compliance framework for the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP). By integrating Social Learning Theory and Legitimacy Theory, this study positions the four discrete dimensions of Transformational Leadership: Idealized Influence, Inspirational Motivation, Intellectual Stimulation, and Individualized Consideration as direct independent antecedents driving Normative Compliance, with Role Modeling serving as the sole mediating mechanism. Grounded in Social Learning Theory, commanders who embody ethical conduct activate Behavioral Modeling, which builds Trust and Confidence, fosters Moral Alignment, and instills an internalized Perceived Obligation to Obey statutory prohibitions. Ultimately, this paradigm shift toward normative compliance equips law enforcement leadership to transform supervisory practices, dismantle misconduct normalization, and advance UN Sustainable Development Goal 16, while providing a precise theoretical blueprint for future PLS-SEM empirical validation.
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