Comparing the approaches and challenges to policing leadership across Canada, the USA, England and Wales reveals that effective leadership across all ranks and roles of the police service has a lasting effect on not only the police workforce but society as a whole. As the demands on the police service change, police leaders worldwide should be committed, inspirational, motivational, inclusive, good communicators and possess integrity. Leaders should be developed, capable of interpreting the evidence-base and empowered to make decisions, for which they are held accountable, in order to ensure the shared visions and goals of the service are translated into effective policing to deal with the ever-evolving challenges faced by their agencies.