Can theoretical models of knowledge management ever be of use to busy police leaders?

Police leaders have been set an objective to achieve an increase in efficiency and productivity in all the various functions that the police force carries out, while continuing to drive the focus on developing public confidence in their service. There is also a focus on sharing knowledge, especially with forces of similar size and demographics and an emphasis on making efficiency and productivity a core responsibility for all chief officers and other police managers (Home Office, 2009).Knowledge management is not currently viewed as a core competency within the police service, although the creation and sharing of knowledge has always been core to policing (intelligence, incidents, statements, papers, reports and so on). This paper argues that knowledge management (KM) offers the police service a mechanism through which change can be achieved. It is proposed that by employing KM frameworks that separate knowledge creation from knowledge transfer, blockages rooted in culture, structure and competencies become evident, and police leaders can circumvent blockages and mobilise change in their various functions.