On February 13, 2025, it was my privilege to conduct a
keynote for 225 members of the NYPD Candidate Assessment Division (CAD) at
their Manhattan facility.
This division is critical to the future of the NYPD and New
York City because it processes candidates to become police officers.
Recently, CAD processed a remarkable 1,000 new cadets who
will ultimately serve as protectors of the city.
The New York Dominican Officers Organization (NYDO), one of
the forty-one fraternal associations of the department, praised the remarkable
accomplishment of the CAD.
In a February 8, 2025 Instagram post, the NYDO noted:
EXCELLENCE IN
RECRUITMENT
“The dedication,
expertise, and tireless efforts of the CAD have been instrumental in
successfully hiring over 1,000 qualified candidates for the title of police
officer. This milestone is a testament to the professionalism, thoroughness,
and commitment to ensuring the safety and integrity of our communities.
“Under the leadership
of Chief John Benoit [Chief of Personnel] and Inspector Terrell Anderson [CAD
Leader], the division has played a crucial role in identifying individuals who
embody the values and principles that our force upholds. Their collective hard
work and attention to detail have resulted in a selection process that ensures
the best candidates are chosen to serve and protect.
“This achievement not
only reflects the division’s efficiency but also their unwavering commitment to
shaping the future of law enforcement. We recognize the importance of every
individual who contributed to this process, from the interview panels to the background
investigators, and thank them for their dedication.
“As we move forward, we
remain committed to building a police force that is diverse, skilled, and ready
to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
“Together, we will
continue ‘to foster an environment of excellence that serves the public with
integrity and professionalism.’”
NYPD Inspector Terrell Anderson
The unique event was possible thanks to the visionary
leadership of Inspector Terrell Anderson, and his admirable dedication to his
personnel.
Inspector Anderson and I first met during my remarks for the
NYPD Guardians, one of the NYPD fraternal associations.
The Guardians event was made possible through the leadership
of Lieutenant Patrick T. Gordon, President of the NYPD Guardians Association.
The event was a continuation of my programs throughout the
NYPD since my appointment as their Honorary Law Enforcement Motivational
Speaker.
Although I shared remarks at the January 21, 2025 event,
Inspector Anderson was the featured speaker.
He shared a poignant and inspiring message that night to
over 100 attendees, and his dedication to his profession was inspirational.
The NYPD is the largest
police departments in the United States, with approximately 36,000 officers and
19,000 civilian employees.
It was established in
1845, and today, is responsible for policing an 8.5-million-person city, by
performing public safety, law enforcement, traffic management, counterterror,
and emergency response roles…
The NYPD is divided
into major bureaus for enforcement, investigations, and administration. It has
78 patrol precincts with patrol officers and detectives covering the entire
city.
The department also has 12 transit districts to police the subway system and
its nearly six-million daily riders. It
has nine police service areas (PSAs) to patrol the city's public housing
developments, which are home to more than 400,000 residents.
Additionally, uniformed
civilians serve as traffic safety agents on the city's busy streets and
highways, and as school safety agents, protecting public schools and the
over-a-million students who attend them.
Ethical Leadership, Morale, Influence
Inspector Anderson requested that I not only address suicide
prevention, but also highlight leadership, morale, and the importance of
positive influence.
We both agreed that these topics were imperative. These issues impact day-to-day interactions
with NYPD colleagues, and also to candidates considering the NYPD vocation.
My keynote included the following topics as essential for
American Law Enforcement:
· American
Law Enforcement: Issues and Response
· The
NYPD: Leading Through a National Crisis
· The
Wounded Protector: Using Our Wounds as a Source of Healing for Others
· Encounter:
Using Interactions as Opportunity for Positive Influence
· Combatting
the Mental Health Stigma
· Respect:
The Heart of Law Enforcement
· Policing
in America: Protect, Respect, Community
The keynote also addressed specific leadership, morale, and
influence issues including the following:
· Cultivating
Self Esteem and a Culture of Respect
· Dedication
to Professional Growth by investing in Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Health
· Ongoing
Education growth with academic courses, Certifications, Hobbies and Fitness
The importance of a positive state-of-mind was presented,
and the power of positive communication as expressed in this quote:
Today will never
come again. Be a blessing to others. Be friendly, and express kindness.
Encourage someone.
Take time to care. Be aware that your words have the power to heal and use them
wisely.
Additional tips were shared to build moral including the
following:
· Respect
Each Person’s Dignity
· Create
a Culture of Trust
· Maintain
Person-to-Person Respectful Encounters
· Anticipate
the Needs of Colleagues, and the Candidates
·
Be Aware of How Others Perceive You / Make Efforts to Improve
Inspiration from Abraham Lincoln
Since I often share leadership insights from the life of
Abraham Lincoln in presentations and articles, I shared these with the
attendees:
· Lincoln’s
credibility was his character, and this virtue was his most powerful means of
persuasion.
· The
16th president was able to humbly accept criticism without
overreacting, lashing back, or escalating a problem
· Lincoln
was unwavering in his mission, which he understood as saving the union.
Thomas Jefferson
I also shared a photo of me standing alone before
Jefferson’s statue inside his Washington D.C. Memorial.
It was taken in 1957 by my mother.
I told the attendees that the moment, even as a young child,
profoundly influenced me to love America.
Then, I shared this reflection on the powerful influence of
Jefferson on America:
“Leadership must have the moral courage t
inflame the sentiments of a country.
Jefferson had this courage although aware that his writing would be
treason, and punishable by hanging.”
DR. CONRAD BAARS: THE HEALING POWER OF AFFIRMATION
For 45 years I have been a practitioner of the famous
psychiatrist Dr. Conrad Baars.
I shared a summary of his teachings with the CAD:
“Affirmation has a
power that can transform lives. It is a
catalyst that ignites hope into the souls of human beings. Affirmation
recognizes, appreciates, and encourages the qualities of others.
“The challenges of life
can deprive individuals of the basic human need of unconditional love and
appreciation. Yet, the affirmative person, the wounded healer, and for us
tonight the wounded protector, inspires healing of the body, mind, spirit, and
emotions.”
Vincent J Bove
Never Will I Falter
Inspired by the honor guard of the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in
Washington D.C., I asked attendees to
apply this ethical creed of those who guard the tomb:
“My dedication to this
sacred duty is total and wholehearted. In the responsibility bestowed upon me,
never will I falter.
“And with dignity and
perseverance my standard will remain perfection.”
Final Reflections
The NYPD Candidate Assessment Division’s position to
positively influence the department, and people of New York City is undeniable.
The remarkable accomplishment of processing 1,000 new cadets
for the police academy deserves admiration.
As they process future NYPD officers, let us honor their
dedication to ethical leadership, morale, and the power of positive influence.
ABOUT VINCENT
Vincent J. Bove is a national speaker, author, and confidant
on issues critical to America with 325 published works.
His most recent of four books are Reawakening America © and
Listen to Their Cries. ©
Bove is recipient of the FBI Director's Community Leadership
Award, former confidant of players from two world-champion New York Yankee
teams, and served as spokesperson for a coalition of Virginia Tech tragedy
victim's families.
He was appointed Honorary Law Enforcement Motivational
Speaker by the NYPD. In this role he
addresses ethical leadership, building morale, emotional resiliency, and
suicide prevention at NYPD and FDNY events, roll calls, firehouses, and in
published works.
Bove has been an author for the National Association of
Chiefs of Police for 15 years. He has over 60 published works, and an
unprecedented 18 cover stories for their magazine.
Bove served the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association for
20 consecutive years as liaison and chairperson on policing leadership,
violence prevention, and public safety issues.
He conducted Leadership Principles: Crisis Planning,
Community Partnerships, Violence Prevention © keynotes to safeguard New York
City at sites including:
· Museums
hosted by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
· Corporations
hosted by The New York Stock Exchange
· Hospitals
hosted by Rockefeller University
· Properties
hosted by The Union Club of New York
· Universities
hosted by Columbia University, the New York Athletic Club and Fordham
University.
Bove has conducted extensive leadership presentations for
the NYPD, FBI, the United States Military Academy, law enforcement, educators,
security professionals, and students nationwide. vincentbove.com
“We must all serve as
catalysts to protect our workplaces, schools, communities, public spaces,
houses of worship, and one another.
Public safety demands
leadership, vigilance, and collaboration.
"Security and
personal safety demand comprehensive enhancements, on-going training, effective
response to warning signs, and building bridges with law enforcement, private
security, and every member of the community.”
Vincent J Bove
Related Bove Published Works by the National Association
of Chiefs of Police:
The NYPD: Leading Through a National Crisis ©
NYPD Employee Assistance Unit: Leading Through a National Crisis ©
21st Century Policing: Issues and Response
21st Century American Policing Demands Ethical
Leadership
Police Suicides: Awareness, Compassion, Action
Safeguarding America’s Protectors: A Community Responsibility
America’s Law Enforcement Sacrifices Demand Eternal Gratitude
Igniting 21st Century Ethical Policing: Understanding the Profession
PHOTOS:
Headshot: NYPD Inspector Terrill Andersen with his division
captains, photo left of Vincent J. Bove in suit, CAD keynote, Feb. 13, 2025,
Reawakening America (RALLC)
1. NYPD officers taking oath, Madison Square
Garden (MSG), Oct. 31, 2024. (Credit NYPD)
2. NYPD Cadets taking oath, Jan. 29, 2025.
(Credit NYPD)
3. NYPD officers and guests, MSG, Oct. 31, 2024.
(Credit NYPD)
4. NYPD Cadets, Jan. 29, 2025. (Credit NYPD)
5. Vincent J. Bove in 1957, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Washington D.C. (RALLC / Marie Bove)
6. Changing of the Guard, Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery, Washington D.C. (Credit Society of the Honor Guard Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier)
Labels: Character, Collaborative Policing, Education, Events, Law Enforcement, Leadership, Mental Health, NYPD, Policing, Presentations
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