Managing the Diary: What Does a Police Commissioner Do?

What do we know about the work of a Police Commissioner? Using the example of Australia, this article provides a perspective of the working environment within which a Police Commissioner operates. The emphasis is on the Commissioner's office and how that office manages a constantly changing diary in an unpredictable and uncertain environment both internally and externally. Through an analysis of a workplace diary spanning five years, interviews and non-participation observation notes, the article reflects on the working life of an Australian Police Commissioner. It demonstrates that this Police Commissioner divides her time between management duties and representing the Office of Commissioner in the wider community. It also highlights the importance of external leadership and the importance of working with communities and connecting with external constituencies. The article shows that qualitative analysis in the form of interviews and non-participant observation can provide a stronger interpretation and understanding of quantitative data.