Terrorism Attacks Demand America’s Leadership

Terrorism is a depraved abomination representing the worst of humanity and a desecration to all that is moral, dignified, and honorable.

Each act of terrorism is an unconscionable assault against human rights and an act of cowardice.

It is a savage, brutal, and heinous barbarity that only cultivates suffering, brokenness, and sorrow.

The acceleration of terrorism acts throughout the world; inflicting unimaginable anguish to nations, communities, families, and individuals, demands condemnation from all people of good will, a full force resolve from every government, and the leadership of America.

Terrorism: Some Recent Atrocities

Recent acts of terrorism throughout the world demanding America’s leadership, include the following horrific, senseless, and reprehensible massacres:

Mar. 27: At least 72 people are killed and over 300 injured by a suicide bomber in Lahore, Pakistan. The terrorist targeted Christians, including children who were celebrating Easter near a playground.

Mar. 25: At least 30 people are killed and 65 wounded after a soccer game in Iraq.

Mar. 22: Three coordinated nail bombings occurred in Belgium; two at a Brussels airport, and one at a Metro Station. At least 35 people were killed and 340 injured.

Feb. 21: At least 83 people were killed and 180 wounded, including children leaving school, at a shrine in Syria.

Nov. 13, 2015: At least 130 people are killed and hundreds wounded during attacks in Paris by terrorists armed with assault rifles and explosives that targeted six locations throughout the city.

Terrorism Demands America’s Vigilance

In my article titled “Paris Terror Demands America’s Vigilance,” published in the Nov. 19, 2015 edition of the Epoch Times, I argued that after the “contemptuous terror attacks throughout Paris on Nov. 13, 2015, America must enhance security awareness, training initiatives, protocols, and collaboration.”

The article honors the extraordinary dedication of the NYPD especially with the Critical Response Command (CRC), a new elite unit representing one facet of the department’s protection of high-profile targets throughout the city.

The CRC is complemented by the Joint-Terrorism Task Force, a top-notch group of over 100 NYPD detectives working with the FBI; and the NYPD Counterterrorism Bureau, Intelligence Bureau, Domain Awareness System, and NYPD SHIELD.

The NYPD dedication is complemented by private security professionals that include protection efforts at museums, financial institutions, corporations, hospitals, properties, schools, residences, and colleges throughout the city.

But as acts of terrorism accelerate throughout the world; with the possibility of additional attacks here on our homeland, we must intensify our law enforcement, private security, and community collaboration. This unity of effort is critical for the protection of our nation, communities, and the very morale of America.

The continuous terrorist acts throughout the world prove that there are evil individuals ready to desecrate humanity’s moral code of respect for our neighbor, and America must exercise the leadership and moral courage to eradicate the threat.

Muslim Community Surveillance Controversy

Numerous politicians, as well as presidential candidates, are responding to the fears of terrorism, by recommending law enforcement initiatives.

Recommendations are only viable when there is consultation with respected law enforcement leaders, as the security of America demands collaboration, not inflammatory rhetoric.

The NYPD commissioner, William Bratton, has expressed his thoughts on the importance of not exploiting terrorism tragedies for political gain, especially his rightful condemnation of anyone calling for police to “patrol and secure Muslim communities before they become radicalized.”

Bratton’s credentials deserve attention and his advisement includes the following:

"We already patrol and secure Muslim neighborhoods, the same way we patrol and secure other neighborhoods. When people call the police, we rush to help them. When people break the law, we move to arrest them. But no, we do not single out any populace, black, white, yellow, or brown for selective enforcement. We do not “patrol and secure” neighborhoods based on selective enforcement because of race or religion, nor will we use the police and an occupying force to intimidate a populace or a religion to appease the provocative chatter of politicians seeking to exploit fear…In New York City, we protect all communities from crime and terrorism — yes, Muslim communities too — because like us, they are Americans who own businesses, work hard, pay taxes, and dream of a better life for their children. Over 900 of them work in my police department as police officers, many of them in counterterrorism and intelligence. Many of them have served in the military and fought for their country. We police our city not by campaign slogans or inflammatory rhetoric, but by an old piece of parchment called the U.S. Constitution and another called the Bill of Rights.”

Final Reflections

The U.S. State Department “alerts U.S. citizens to potential risks of travel to and throughout Europe following several terrorist attacks, including the Mar. 22 attacks in Brussels claimed by ISIL. Terrorist groups continue to plan near-term attacks throughout Europe, targeting sporting events, tourist sites, restaurants, and transportation.”

The department also warns that “U.S. citizens should exercise vigilance when in public places or using mass transportation. Be aware of immediate surroundings and avoid crowded places. Exercise particular caution during religious holidays and at large festivals or events.”

America must also be vigilant here at home enhancing our situational awareness and hardening our targets, as these are essential qualities mandatory to safeguarding our homeland.

We must also have the moral courage to cultivate a unity of effort between public and private sectors, and every community member, with an enhanced dedication to building faith-based partnerships, critical to reawakening the nation.

More:

America, Wake Up: Harden Your Soft Targets

Collaboration Key to Defeating Terrorism

Terrorism Concerns Accelerate: Protecting America

Understanding Islam Is Essential to Community Policing

NYPD SHIELD: America’s Public-Private Collaboration Model

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Linkedin: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

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As authored for Vincent’s weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times, 35 countries, 21 languages and growing.

Photos

1. Members of the NYPD Strategic Response Group and an NYPD officer stand guard in New York's Times Square on Nov. 18, 2015. Police officials said they've deployed extra units to crowded areas of the city in the wake of the Paris terror attacks. (Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)

2. NYPD Commissioner William Bratton addressing the Critical Response Command (CRC), Nov. 16, 2015. (Courtesy NYPD News)

3. A Member of the NYPD Strategic Response Group and an NYPD officer in New York’s Times Square on Nov. 18, 2015. Police officials said they’ve deployed extra units to crowded areas of the city in the wake of the Paris terror attacks. (Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)

Priest Sexual Abuse Crimes: A Cry for Justice

Faith-based organizations often compound America's crisis of character with headlines of reprehensible crimes, including priest sexual abuse and cover ups in the Catholic Church.

As a practicing Roman Catholic who earned two Master’s degrees in theology from a Vatican institution, and as an educator, who served for 10 years throughout the United States as a Salesian of Don Bosco, I am fully committed to preventing abuse and remedying this scandal.

These theological credentials are complemented by over 20 years of training initiatives that I have conducted for law enforcement, including the FBI; always stressing respect for the law, transparency, collaboration, and justice.

Every act of child sexual abuse is immoral and criminal; and acts compounded by the secrecy, cover ups, indifference, and arrogance of bishops demands accountability.

Cover ups by bishops are acts of betrayal, scandal, and desecration that inflict additional wounds upon victims and society, breaking the bond of trust critical to community.

It is imperative that all people of moral decency make their voices in a cry for justice against these immoral and criminal acts.

Compassion for victims who are crying for healing, truth, and accountability is critical.

Pope Francis: Concern, Compassion, Courage

The current pope is the perfect catalyst at the right time for the Catholic Church as he is capable of inspiring necessary transformation.

Pope Francis is an inspirational shepherd, demanding the same from his bishops and priests. The pope is admired by believers as well as non-believers; for his concern, compassion, and courage-virtues that are critical for a transformational renewal of the Catholic Church.

During his visit to the U.S. on Sept. 27, 2015, Pope Francis exemplified character, truthfully addressing the bishops on the priest sexual abuse scandal at the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia.

Pope Francis passionately stated:

“I am deeply pained by the stories, the sufferings and the pain of minors who were sexually abused by priests. I continue to be ashamed that persons charged with the tender care of those little ones abused them and caused them grave harm. I deeply regret this. God weeps. The crimes and sins of sexual abuse of minors may no longer be kept secret; I commit myself to ensuring that the Church makes every effort to protect minors and I promise that those responsible will be held to account. Survivors of abuse have become true heralds of hope and ministers of mercy; humbly we owe our gratitude to each of them and to their families for their great courage…”

Pennsylvania Priests/Bishops Scandal

According to a grand jury report made public on March 1, two Roman Catholic bishops helped cover up sexual abuse of hundreds of children by more than 50 priests and religious officials in Pennsylvania over the course of 40 years.

The Pennsylvania Attorney General, Kathleen Kane, who released the 147-page report, spoke more like a shepherd than the bishops entrusted with the protection of children.

Attorney General Kathleen Kane stated:

“The heinous crimes these children endured are absolutely unconscionable...These predators desecrated a sacred trust and preyed upon their victims in the very places where they should have felt most safe…Just as troubling is the cover-up perpetrated by clergy leaders that allowed this abuse to continue for decades..They failed in our society's most important task of protecting our children...At the very least we must continue to shine a light on this long period of abuse and despicable conduct.”

The report includes the following:

• Over many years hundreds of children have fallen victim to child predators wrapped in the authority of an honorable faith. As wolves disguised as the shepherds themselves-these men stole the innocence of children by sexually preying upon the most innocent and vulnerable members of our society and the Catholic faith.

• This is not an indictment of the Catholic religion or the Catholic Church. Many who testified and spoke out regarding the horror…are devout Catholics, as are members of this Grand Jury and Office of Attorney General investigative personnel.

• The Grand Jury finds the acts of the predator priest and their enabling Bishops to be criminal. However, they cannot be prosecuted at this time. The statute of limitations…has expired…abolish the statute of limitations for sexual offenses against minors.

• Suspend the civil statute of limitations on child sexual abuse claims for a designated and finite period of years.

• Possible criminal conduct should be reported directly to law enforcement authorities.

Archdiocese of Boston: America’s Priest Abuse Epicenter

Priest sexual abuse was detailed in the Office of the Attorney General (AG) of Massachusetts July 23, 2003 report titled, “The Sexual Abuse of Children in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston.”

An overview of this scandal, detailed in my latest book titled “Listen To Their Cries,” emphasizes findings of the Massachusetts (AG), which also correlate to the Pennsylvania (AG) report, and includes the following:

• Top Archdiocese officials knew the extent of the clergy sexual abuse problem for many years before it came known to the public.
• The Archdiocese response to reports of sexual abuse of children, including maintaining secrecy of reports, placed children at risk.
• The Archdiocese placed children at risk by transferring abusive priests to other parishes.
• The Archdiocese failed to adequately supervise priests known to have sexually abused children in the past.

Final Reflections

The Catechism of the Catholic Church refers to reprehensible criminal acts that “cry to heaven for justice.”

America's criminal justice system makes it clear that sexual abuse of children, and those involved with cover up, is criminal.

Only when we protect our children and hold individuals accountable, will America have authentic faith-based communities, and a moral reawakening of the nation.

More:

Attorney General Pennysylania Press Release, March 1, 2016
Grand jury: Hundreds of children sexually abused by priests in Altoona-Johnstown diocese

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Photo

1. American flag at Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Fifth Avenue, NYC, Jan. 31, 2015. (Vincent J. Bove)

2. An unidentified child, who was carried out from the crowd to meet Pope Francis, reaches out to touch the Pontiff's face during a parade on his way to celebrate Sunday Mass on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, on Sept. 27, 2015. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)

Ethical Guardians: Repudiating the Ferguson Effect

Law enforcement professionals are the ethical guardians of democracy who protect and serve communities throughout the nation.

The challenge to our law enforcement professionals is daunting as we continually witness violence, apathy, brokenness, cynicism, and callousness throughout society.

There is also a new term called the Ferguson effect, referring to police being passive under heightened security or concerns about being the next viral video.

Ethical Guardians: A Philosophical Principle

Policing is an honorable profession and as far back as the Greek philosopher Plato, (c. 428-347 BCE), ethical guardians were critical to democracy.

Plato argued that although there are many different professions in society; including farmers, builders, and clothiers, guardians were a unique class of citizens.

Plato defined guardians as those who protect society from its enemies and enforce its laws.

In Plato’s words, “It does not matter if the cobblers and masons fail to do their jobs well, but if the guardians fail, the democracy will crumble.”

Ethics: The Heart of Democracy’s Guardians

Complementing the concept of guardians is the demand that law enforcement professionals live by the highest ethical standards.

The International Association of Chiefs of Police includes these principles in its code of ethics:

“As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve the community; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the constitutional rights of all to liberty, equality, and justice.

“I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all and will behave in a manner that does not bring discredit to me or to my agency. I will maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others…

“…I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of the police service…”

Developing Ethical Guardians

For Plato, the concept of developing guardians was inseparable from cultivating an ethical temperament which depended on a sound education that began in the earliest years of schooling.

America must revitalize ethics as the heartbeat of our society and make character education front and center in our schools again, as our youth are the future of America and critical to our democracy.

We must also support our law enforcement professionals and make sure they have world class ethical development, training, certifications, and ongoing programs respecting their demanding mission as ethical guardians.

Fallen Ethical Guardians: Honor, Respect, Dignity

All who cherish America must also remember our fallen ethical guardians with honor, respect, and dignity.

According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), there have been 13 firearms-related law enforcement fatalities as of March 14, an increase of 225 percent since this time last year.

One fatality was on March 13, with a Prince George’s County, Maryland police officer, 28-year-old Jacai Colson. Officer Colson was a four-year veteran of the department senselessly killed in what police call an “unprovoked attack” by an errant round during a firefight.

Three brothers will be charged with second-degree murder, six counts of attempted first-degree murder, nine counts of use of a handgun in the commission of a felony and other charges.

The county’s state attorney, Angela Alsobrooks, passionately stated:

“Today we witnessed again an act of evil and cowardice, a new low in executing a defender of the community. Jacai was important to his family, and he is important to the community. We have another mother tonight who is without her son and for that we are deeply sorry…This crime is not just a crime against Jacai…murder is a crime against our entire community, the highest crime against humanity…this crime against our community will be treated as such…his life was precious, every life is precious…”

Final Reflections

Despite the so-called Ferguson effect, America’s ethical guardians are the lifeline of protecting our communities and we must not allow any exploitation of our democracy.

Law enforcement will rise to the occasion with the moral courage to find the way. They deserve an iron-clad collaboration from America’s law-abiding citizens, refusing to allow emboldened criminals to undermine our society.

We will be on the path to reawakening the nation and safeguarding our democracy when we work to instill ethics into the heart of America, and give our ethical guardians our unwavering support for their dedication to protect and serve.


Note Well:

Linkedin: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Join Vincent’s Linkedin Group: The Sentinel: Reawakening the Nation

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As authored for Vincent’s weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times, 35 countries, 21 languages and growing.

Photos:

1. NYPD providing escort during Good Friday procession in Manhattan near World Trade Center, Apr. 3, 2015. (Vincent J. Bove)

2. Plato. Luni marble, copy of the portrait made by Silanion c. 370 B.C. for the Academia in Athens. (Marie-Lan Nguyen/Wikimedia, CC BY 2.5)

3. NYPD on post in Times Square, NYC, Jan. 31, 2015. (Vincent J. Bove)

4. A police offficer stand at the scene of a midtown shooting that left one dead with two others wounded in New York City on Nov. 9, 2015. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

5. Officer Jacai Colson of the Maryland County’s police force. (Prince George’s County Police Department via AP)

MORE:

Policing Demands Ethical Sentinels

Police-Community Collaboration: America’s Public Safety Lifeline

Police–Community Division: America Unite

Transforming American Policing: A Defining Moment

Ferguson’s Mission: Cultivate Community Policing

Building Police-Community Trust: Wake Up, America

Ferguson’s People-Police Chaos: America’s Warning

Navy SEALS: Honor, Leadership, Protecting America

On March 4, I attended the ASIS International New York City Chapter event with over 150 colleagues at the Yale Club in New York City.

For over 20 years, I have been involved with initiatives of this association, serving as a speaker and author, privileged to also have their board certified protection professional (CPP) designation.

ASIS International is a professional organization for security, law enforcement, and military professionals that issues certifications, standards, guidelines, and educational programs. These initiatives assist schools, colleges, workplaces, government entities, law enforcement, and the public.

The CPP credential provides a board certified demonstrable verification of knowledge, as well as management ability in eight key disciplines; security principles and practices, business principles and practices, investigations, personnel security, physical security, information security, crisis management, and legal aspects.

Although my experiences with ASIS International have always been motivational, the March 4 event was particularly inspirational due to the compelling patriotic keynote of Navy SEAL Britt Slabinski, Rtd.

America’s Navy SEALS

Navy SEALS are a unique breed of elite ethical protectors that conduct the most challenging, often clandestine military operations, especially with maritime environments.

SEALS is an acronym for sea, air, and land special operations.

The SEALS symbol is a trident, a coveted insignia with a golden eagle holding a navy anchor and flintlock-style pistol.

The trident is a sacred symbol proudly worn by Navy SEALS, and solemnly embedded into the wooden coffins of fallen SEALS as an expression of respect, brotherhood, and honor for those who deserve to never be forgotten.

The Ethos of the Navy SEAL includes these inspirational words:

“My Trident is a symbol of honor and heritage. Bestowed upon me by the heroes that have gone before, it embodies the trust of those I have sworn to protect. By wearing the Trident I accept the responsibility of my chosen profession and way of life. It is a privilege that I must earn every day. My loyalty to Country and Team is beyond reproach. I humbly serve as a guardian to my fellow Americans always ready to defend those who are unable to defend themselves. I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions. I voluntarily accept the inherent hazards of my profession, placing the welfare and security of others before my own. I serve with honor on and off the battlefield. The ability to control my emotions and my actions, regardless of circumstance, sets me apart from other men. Uncompromising integrity is my standard. My character and honor are steadfast. My word is my bond.”

Missions of the Navy SEALS

According to the www.navyseals.com website, the Navy SEALS are called upon to perform missions of critical importance to the United States:

• Direct Action: Neutralize, Capture and Kill Enemy Forces-Offensive strikes against an enemy target using tactics like raids, ambushes and assaults.

• Special Reconnaissance: Observe and Report, Covert Intelligence-Surveillance and reconnaissance operations to report on enemy activity or to provide a better understanding of the operational situation. These missions can include tracking of enemy units, monitoring military and civilian activity, and gathering information about beach and water conditions prior to a beach landing.

• Counter Terrorism: Eliminating Threats, Pre-Emptive Strike-Directing action against terrorist groups to prevent terrorist activities.

• Foreign Internal Defense: Training Allies-Training and assisting foreign counterparts to increase their capacity to respond to threats.

Britt K. Slabinski, Command Master Chief (SEAL), USN Ret.

As attendees entered the March 4 event, to hear keynote speaker Britt K. Slabinski, they were surrounded by posters of SEALS who offered the ultimate sacrifice serving America.

This moving tribute was further ignited by the passion, dignity, and eloquence of the speaker who addressed issues of honor, respect, and patriotism.

Slabinski, whose service as a Navy SEAL included over 400 combat deployments in support of the Global War on Terrorism, is also recipient of the Navy Cross-an award for valor in combat, the Navy and Marine Corps Life Saving Medal, five Bronze Stars with Combat Valor distinguishing device, two Combat Action Ribbons, and numerous other commendations.

The immortal words of Thomas Paine, “These are the times that try men's souls,” were used by Slabinski who stated “they apply not only to the American Revolution, but to contemporary challenges throughout the world.”

He also stressed the importance of honoring our flag, stating that it was a sacred symbol with thread representing each of us united together.

The oath he learned as a young eagle scout was also shared by Slabinski, who emphasized “On my honor I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country,” was his inspiration during the heroic incident that led to his being recipient of the Navy Cross.

Slabinski also stressed humility stating, “one must always remember that you are never too senior to be wrong or too junior to be right.”

Final Reflections

These are challenging times for democracy, freedom, and liberty and America is destined to be a model to the world of dignity, courage, and patriotism.

When each of us lives by a code of honor, represented by ethical guardians courageously dedicated to protecting America, we will be on the path to reawakening the nation.

More:
America’s Flag, Patriotism: Resuscitating Our Destiny

America’s Veterans: Honoring Our Heroes

America’s Leadership Crisis: Reigniting Our Character

Life Lessons From the United States Military


Note Well:

Linkedin: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Join Vincent’s Linkedin Group: The Sentinel: Reawakening the Nation

Facebook: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

As authored for Vincent’s weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times, 35 countries, 21 languages and growing.

Photos:

1. A SEAL delivery vehicle team (SDV) performs a fast-roping exercise from a MH-60S Seahawk helicopter to the topside of Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Toledo (SSN 769). SDV teams use "wet" submersible vehicles to conduct 100 percent long-range submerged missions, or to secretly deliver SEALs and other agents onto enemy territory from a submarine or other vessel at sea, Jan. 17, 2005. (Photo Courtesy U.S. Navy by Journalist 3rd Class Davis J. Anderson)

2. Members of the Sea Air Land Team Five (SEAL5), from Golf Platoon, conduct an exercise in a Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC) or Ridged Boat Inflatable Hull (RBIH). (Courtesy U.S. Navy)

3. Navy Special Warfare Trident insignia worn by qualified U.S. Navy SEALs. (Courtesy U.S. Navy)

4. Rear Admiral Timothy Szymanski, leader of all 2,500 active USN SEALS, Joint Special Operations Command (l), and Britt Slabinski, Command Master Chief, Rtd. (USN SEALS), recipient of the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism in combat from the President of the U.S.(r), with Vincent J. Bove at the ASIS International NYC Chapter luncheon.

5. Members of SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team Two (SDVT-2) huddle together inside a flooded Dry Deck Shelter mounted on the back of the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Hyman G Rickover (SSN 709). Dry Deck Shelters (DDS) provide specially configured nuclear powered submarines with a greater capability of deploying Special Operations Forces (SOF). DDSs can transport, deploy, and recover SOF teams from Combat Rubber Raiding Crafts (CRRCs) or SEAL Delivery Vehicles (SDVs), all while remaining submerged. SDVT-2 is stationed at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va., and conducts operations throughout the Atlantic, Southern, and European command areas of responsibility. Chief James Adams present to right in photo, May 7, 1984. (Courtesy U.S. Navy)

Mass Shootings, Police Fatalities: America’s Culture of Trauma

The document titled “A Study of Active Shooter Incidents in the United States Between 2000 and 2013” was released by the FBI in 2014 to provide data to law enforcement and private security professionals.

This document, as well as others from ASIS International, are outstanding resources for all dedicated to prevent, prepare, respond, and recover from senseless tragedies reflecting America’s culture of trauma.

Mass shootings are often used interchangeable with active shooter, understood according to the FBI as a situation in which a shooting is in progress. An aspect of the crime may affect the protocols used in responding to and reacting at the scene.

Active Shooter: An American Reality

According to the FBI document, the agreed-upon definition of an active shooter is “an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area.”

Tragically, the active shooter is an American reality that can take place at any time, and at any place, including malls, schools, campuses, open spaces, government properties, residences, houses of worship, health care facilities, cultural locations, or tourist sites.

Mass Shootings: Alarming Uptick

According to published reports, and certainly indicated by incidents with disturbing consequences, mass shootings are happening at an accelerated pace in 2016, compared to 2015.

So far this year, 49 mass shootings in America have resulted in 73 fatalities and 178 wounded.

One of these tragedies was at the Excel Industries plant in Hesston, Kansas, on Feb. 25, with three people killed and 14 wounded.

Another incident included a 5-hour rampage in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Feb. 20, with an Uber driver charged with 6 counts of murder.

Security: Basic Principles

As detailed in my article titled “Mass Shootings: America’s Public Health Crisis,” published in the Epoch Times on Dec. 10, 2015, vigilance is critical and “a robust security program must be comprehensive, proactive, and continually updated. Security must never be piecemeal, negligent, or have its importance minimized.”

The article argued that security must include security vulnerability assessments, background checks, investigations, training (including warning signs), physical security, personnel security, procedural security, and informational/cybersecurity.

Police Fatalities: Alarming Uptick

Compounding the mass shooter incidents traumatizing American communities, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) reports an alarming uptick in firearms-related fatalities of law enforcement officers in 2016.

As of Feb. 29, there have been eleven law enforcement officials killed by firearms for an increase of 1000 percent compared to this time period in 2015.

These senseless killings of those called to protect America as ethical sentinels have wounded communities and broken the hearts of families in Colorado, Mississippi, Georgia, North Dakota, California, Maryland, Oregon, Florida, Ohio, Utah, and Virginia.

Every death of a police officer is a tragedy as America’s law enforcement is a national treasure, but the recent killing of police officer Ashley Guindon of the Prince William County Police Department in Virginia on Feb. 27 is particularly heartbreaking.

Officer Guindon was shot and killed while responding to a domestic dispute call and two other officers responding with her were also shot and wounded.

It was her very first day of work as a police officer, since Officer Guindon had just taken her oath to protect and serve the day before.

She was also a member of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

As a news conference, Chief Stephan Hudson stated that Officer Guindon “did share with us that she felt like she wanted to do this job. She could not get it out of her blood. She clearly had a passion to serve others in a way that went beyond herself. We were struck by her passion to do this job.”

Police-Community Unity: Culture of Trauma Antidote

Violence has been unleashed in America, as video allows us to witness horrific mass shooting incidents and reprehensible killings of law enforcement officials.

The pervasiveness of violence has no end in sight and every community, citizen, and police officer is a potential victim.

The antidote to this culture of trauma is police-community unity, indispensable to the security of our society.

Citizens and law enforcement must unite and turn the tide of this culture of trauma. America’s healing will only be possible with ethical leadership, unwavering collaboration, and moral courage. We must vigilantly work together for the common good.

When our communities and police are infused by an ethical compass, a unity of effort that builds bridges rather than walls, and a passion to do what is right for America, we will be on the path to reawakening the nation.

Note Well:

Linkedin: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Join Vincent’s Linkedin Group: The Sentinel: Reawakening the Nation

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As authored for Vincent’s weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times, 35 countries, 21 languages and growing.

MORE:

America, Wake Up: Harden Your Soft Targets

Mass Shooter Crisis: America, Wake Up

America’s Violent Rampages: Time for Prevention

Photos

1. Family and friends hold a candle light vigil on Hesston Road for shooting victim Brian Sadowsky outside the Excel Industries plant in Hesston, Kansas, on Feb. 26, 2015. A gunman killed three people and wounded at least 14 on Feb. 25, 2016. The shooter was killed by police. (Kyle Rivas/Getty Images)

2. Right: Officer Ashley Guindon (Prince William County Police via AP) Left: Officer Dale Yung, a 15-year veteran of Prince William County Police Department, wears a “Thin Blue Line” ribbon over his badge during the funeral of Officer Ashley Guindon at the Hylton Memorial Chapel in Woodbrige, Va., on March 1, 2016. Guindon was shot and killed on her first day of work for Prince William County when she responded to a domestic dispute in Woodbridge on Sat. Feb. 27, 2016. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)