PSS304 Assignment Questions

Question 1

Vignette A public safety agency responsible for crowd management and emergency response is operating under heightened pressure following several high-profile incidents. Officers are facing extended shifts, rapidly evolving operational directives, and increasing public and media scrutiny over response decisions. Internal reviews have highlighted inconsistencies in command communication, declining morale among frontline personnel, and ethical tensions between enforcement imperatives and community trust. Leaders must motivate teams to comply with time-critical instructions while maintaining professionalism, accountability, and public confidence. Within this high-stakes environment, leadership approach significantly shapes decision-making, influence, and organisational culture under pressure. In view of the above hypothetical scenario, answer the following questions:

(a) Compare and contrast transformational and servant leadership theories, focusing on how each conceptualises authority, ethical responsibility, and influence. (30 marks)

(b) Thereafter, select either transformational leadership or servant leadership and critically assess its effectiveness in managing teams operating under (i) time pressure, (ii) high accountability, and (iii) public scrutiny. In your answer, justify why the chosen leadership approach is more appropriate and illustrate your argument with relevant examples. (40 marks)

Question 2

Imagine you are in a leadership position during a public safety crisis. The situation is unfolding rapidly, information is incomplete, emotions are heightened, and public attention is intense. Such crises may involve large-scale public disorder, industrial accidents, terror-related incidents, or major service disruptions. Decisions made by leaders in the early stages can significantly shape team behaviour, public perceptions, and the overall trajectory of the crisis. When leaders are unprepared, common leadership mistakes may arise, undermining internal coordination and weakening communication with the public and media. Effective crisis leadership, therefore, requires not only competent leadership within teams but also clear and credible communication strategies that help maintain public trust and prevent escalation.

(a) Appraise common leadership mistakes and their consequences arising from unprepared leadership in crisis situations. Support your answer with relevant public safety or security-related examples. (10 marks)

(b) Explain why it is important for public safety leaders to select a suitable spokesperson when implementing a crisis communication strategy. Thereafter, recommend ONE (1) key responsibility that the spokesperson must uphold to ensure that messaging during high-pressure crisis situations remains credible and helps restore public trust. (20 marks)