Is lean a viable option for the police? : a review and case study

Abstract

Lean management has grown in popularity within the public sector across the world. Various police organizations, predominantly in the UK, have implemented these methods in response to a general call for reform in the police and better use of public resources. Recent development in the Icelandic police indicate that Lean management may be implemented at a high level. This research asks the question whether Lean is a viable option for the police to ensure efficiency, professionalism and advancement. A case study of a police force in Iceland is presented to show that challenges found in previous attempts to implement Lean can be overcome by focusing on the underlying principles of Lean management. Gaps in the literature are identified as opportunities for further research.