Police Departments across the country are experiencing vast numbers of veteran supervisory and command personnel retiring from public service. Without careful planning, these retirements can create a leadership void that will be difficult to fill with well-qualified candidates. These separations pose a loss of institutional knowledge, expertise and leadership continuity. The research conducted focused on the underlying reasons why highly-competent, experienced police officers are refusing to advance their law enforcement careers in becoming supervisors. The study included a review of the published literature and surveys being administered to 105 non-supervisory Fairfax County Police Officers on their interest in becoming a supervisor at the entry rank of sergeant. The fostering of future leaders should be made a priority and it should be the responsibility of those in leadership positions to identify, mentor and assist aspiring supervisory candidates to obtain the training and experience required to become a successful police manager
