In Memoriam: United Nations Peacekeeper Jori DeMarco

On Wednesday, October 26, I attended the Fifth Annual United Nations (UN) Memorial Service at their headquarters in New York City.

The solemn event, presided over by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, commemorated men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice working for peace.

This year, the UN honored 210 members who perished between January 1, 2015 and the end of June 2016.

UN Secretary-General: Inspirational Remarks

After lighting a candle, the UN Secretary General recognized the sacrifices of the fallen with words including the following:

“The men and women we recognize today came from all corners of the world. They served in difficult and dangerous conditions. What drew them together? Our blue flag and all it represents. All countries. All faiths. All people. One flag. Others have tried to turn it into a target. But the flag remains a beacon.”

As hundreds of UN representatives, peacekeepers, and family members of the fallen listened to the Secretary General, these words from his speech echoed throughout the assembly: “there is nothing more powerful than the human spirit.”

Jori DeMarco: Peacekeeper

Aside from the over 200 fallen peacekeepers honored at this sacrosanct memorial, the Secretary General paid special tribute to Jori DeMarco, a security officer killed while serving the Observer Mission in Tajikistan.

This was a profound honor for DeMarco, a peacekeeper for the world. 

 It was also an inspirational for his family who attended, including his beloved wife Beatrice, his mother Jo, his brother Daren, and other family members, including myself, since Jori was my cousin.

The Secretary General also met with DeMarco’s family privately after the ceremony. During this time he one again praised the heroism of Jori and presented the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal to the DeMarco family.

The Dag Hammarskjöld medal was established by the Secretary General in December 2000 as a posthumous award to members of peacekeeping operations, who lost their lives during service with a peacekeeping operation, under the operational control and authority of the United Nations.

Honoring Jori DeMarco: An Inspirational Letter

The words of the Secretary General were complemented in a letter shared with me by Jo, Jori’s mother.

In the letter, written by Andrew James Collingwood, a colleague of Jori, were inspirational and comforting words addressed to Jori’s parents.

Collingwood wanted to capture his admiration for Jori. His thoughtfulness, and compassion inspired him to share these reflections on Nov. 6, 1998, shortly after Jori’s death. Sentiments in the letter included the following:

“Although over two months have passed since the untimely death of your son Jori, I want to pass on to you my deepest thoughts and sympathies for the tragic loss you are facing … I clearly recall Jori’s arrival in Tajikistan. From my own point of view, Jori was right out of the movies, and the more I got to know him, the more I realized it.

"With his characteristic swagger, and his thick New York accent, I always thought he should play a leading role in the movies. He was always well dressed, and took pride in his appearance.

"He arrived proud and silent, with a large moustache, wearing sun glasses, rugged clothes, and minding his own business … His Marine experiences made him cautious, but not fearful of the unknown, which translated into an adventurous spirit … Jori was a leader, both at work and away from it … always entirely professional.

“Many of us used to say that if we had to be in a bad, life threatening situation, Jori was the man to have around … He was a beautiful man whose memory will live on with those who knew him.”

NYPD’s Daren DeMarco: A Peacekeepers Brother

Complementing the peacekeeper spirit of Jori is his brother, NYPD Sergeant Supervisor Daren DeMarco.

The leadership, determination, and character of Daren is comparable to the virtues of his co-peacekeeper brother.

Daren’s passion to serve in the NYPD are inspired by the tragedy of his brother Jori, as well as the tragedy of his sister Dana. Dana was murdered in 1994 by a serial killer who was pardoned by the Governor of Pennsylvania.

Prior to his law enforcement vocation, Daren, like his brother Jori, also served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

After the Sept. 11, 2011 World Trade Center attack, Daren worked for 16 hours per day for 90 straight days at Ground Zero. For the next two months, he worked 12 hour shifts.

Sgt. Supervisor DeMarco’s NYPD awards include the World Trade Center medal, as well as numerous excellent duty and meritorious duty awards.

After one of Daren’s promotions at NYPD headquarters, his inspiring words to me echoed the sentiments of peacekeepers all over the world.

“As an NYPD law enforcement officer, I am privileged because each day is an opportunity to combat crime and help the community.”

Final Reflections

On a wall recognizing UN heroes at their headquarters is a plaque that pays tribute to the greatness of Jori DeMarco.

Its words exemplify his courageous spirit, as well as those of his brother Daren, and all peacekeepers throughout the world.

“Jori DeMarco joined the United Nations Security and Safety Service in New York on July 1, 1991. He served on the Conference and Tour Platoons and the UN Secretary General’s Protective Detail before his field assignment to the UN Observer Mission in Tajikistan.

“Jori DeMarco was killed on August 17, 1998 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan while serving on the Protective Detail of the Special Representative of the Secretary General.

“Jori DeMarco performed his duties with high professionalism, dedication, efficiency, and enthusiasm. He was friendly, extremely cooperative, and his dedication to duty was second to none. His military experience made him cautious but not fearful of the unknown-which translated into and adventurous spirit.

“One always felt safe in his company. His performance made him a credit to the United Nations.

“His memory will live on within all those who knew him.”

Photos

1. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, flanked by the President of the General Assembly and President of the Security Council lighting a commemorative candle at the Fifth Annual United Nations Staff Memorial Service, Oct. 26, 2016. (Vincent J. Bove)

2. United States Marine Jori DeMarco. (Courtesy of Jo DeMarco)

3. Jori DeMarco, UN Peacekeeper. (Courtesy of Jo DeMarco)

4. NYPD Sgt. Supervisor Daren DeMarco with his mother Jo DeMarco at the plaque honoring Jori DeMarco at UN headquarters, NYC, Oct. 26, 2016. (Vincent J. Bove)

5. The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, presents the Dag Hammarskjöld medal to the DeMarco family. From left to right, the Secretary General, Jo DeMarco, Daren DeMarco, and Beatrice DeMarco. (Photo Courtesy Giles Clark)

Related Coverage:

Gold Star Families: Honoring Those Who Make the Ultimate Sacrifice

Fallen Officers Demand America’s Reawakening

Dallas Police Tragedy: Healing, Unity, Renewal

America’s Veterans: Honoring Our Heroes

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Vincent is author of over 200 articles, including his weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times; 35 countries, 21 languages, and growing.

Veterans Enlistment Bonus Scandal Requires Leadership

At the conclusion of each of my presentations on issues critical to America, I take time to honor America’s veterans with a photo tribute.

This tribute is mandatory as the sacrifices, courage, and patriotism of our veterans must always be appreciated.

These tributes also complement my published works that emphasize the sacrifices of veterans as a heartbeat of America’s character.

We are able to enjoy the freedom, democracy, and way of life we have because of those who have offered military service.

Liberation Monument: Depicting America’s Virtues

An inspirational statue depicting the courage, compassion, and character of military service is the Liberation Monument in Jersey City, New Jersey.

This monument is surrounded by the historic significance of Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and the New York skyline.

The statue, designed by sculptor Natan Rapaport, depicts a World War II American soldier carrying a survivor from a concentration camp.

It is a masterpiece that ignites a spark of compassion in the soul, a virtue at the heart of America’s sacrifices during World War II.

Military Sacrifices: The Legacy Continues

As in generations past, America’s military personnel are making courageous and selfless sacrifice, not only for our country, but to protect life throughout the world.

America must always appreciate their sacrifices and demand that their valor is always honored.

The legacy of America demands a renewal of patriotism. We are destined to be a hope for freedom, liberty, and decency and must build our legacy on moral leadership.

America’s virtues will only be authentic when all who serve our nation in the military are honored.

America’s Shame: Forcing Bonus Returns

During the last few years, there have been numerous scandals that highlight America’s leadership crisis. This includes the incompetence, insensitivity, and disregard for our veterans.

The latest scandal involves the California National Guard with veterans being ordered to pay back millions of enlistment bonuses.

The epicenter of this scandal is the corruption case of retired Master Sgt. Toni Jaffe of the California National Guard.

In a Department of Justice (DOJ) statement, Jaffe pleaded guilty in 2011 to filing false claims of $15.2 million.

“When she pleaded guilty, Jaffe admitted that the fall of 2007 through October 2009, she routinely submitted false and fictitious claims on behalf of her fellow California National Guard members.

“Jaffe admitted that she submitted claims to pay bonuses to members of the California National Guard whom she knew were not eligible to receive the bonuses and to pay off officer’s loans, even though she knew the officers were ineligible for loan repayment,” the DOJ statement reads.

Jaffe was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison but the repercussions of her crime is wreaking havoc in the lives of nearly 10,000 innocent soldiers.

The Pentagon is demanding repayment of enlistment bonuses from the soldiers, many who served multiple combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This is a shameful travesty to those who have served America and who received the enlistment bonuses in good faith. The return of this money causes unnecessary hardships (including wage garnishment, tax liens, and interest costs) that is unjust, disgraceful, and insensitive.

One of these thousands of heart-wrenching stories is of Purple Heart Recipient Christopher Van Meter.

Despite being wounded in Iraq and spending a lifetime of service in the military, he received a letter demanding he return $46,000. This bill even included a processing fee.

Van Meter started paying back $1,300 a month in a multi-year plan. This causes financial hardships with expenses including daycare and food for his children.

Final Reflections

As detailed in my March 21, 2014 article for the Epoch Times titled “Life Lessons From the United States Military,” there are leadership lessons to be learned from the ideals of our military.

These ideals are compassion, courage, and character and are counter-cultural to corruption, apathy, and selfishness.

All those who have served our nation are worthy of respect, dignity, and honor. None of our veterans, nor their families, should be required to endure unnecessary burdens inflicted by crimes of corruption.

Corruption is not the honorable soldiers fault, nor should it be their burden.

America must rise to the occasion and express outrage at this injustice. We must demand that those in positions of leadership reflect the wisdom that will restore dignity to those who have borne the battle.

Related Coverage:

Memorial Day: Honor the Fallen, Widows, Orphans

America’s Veterans Deserve Honor, Homes, Health Care

America’s Veterans: Honoring Our Heroes

America’s Military Suicide Crisis: Awareness, Compassion, Prevention

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

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Vincent is author of over 200 articles, including his weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times; 35 countries, 21 languages, and growing.

Photos

1. "Liberation," a bronze Holocaust memorial by the sculptor Nathan Rapoport, located in Liberty State Park, Jersey City, New Jersey. (Ken Lund/Flickr, CC BY-SA)

2. Interment Ceremony of Lt. Mark H. Dooley at his final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery on July 13, 2007. Seated in the front row are (L–R) Peter Dooley and Marion Dooley (Mark’s parents) and Peter Dooley Jr., Mark’s brother. (Vincent J. Bove)

3. U.S. Coast Guard honor guard at Times Square on Memorial Day 2011. (Vincent J. Bove)

4. The Pentagon, headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, taken from an airplane in January 2008, Public Domain/Creative Commons Attribution, Wikimedia Commons. (Photo Credit: David B. Gleason)

5. An American veteran and Purple Heart Recipient on Fifth Avenue during New York City’s Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11, 2011. (Vincent J. Bove)

American Policing: Restoring Trust, Building Community

During the last few years, there have been incidents, controversies, and protests throughout America that must serve as a clarion call to renew, restore, and rejuvenate police-community unity.

A policing incident in any community can spark intense repercussions throughout the nation. Any breakdown of trust between community and police demands an urgent, unwavering, and complete dedication to remedy the problem.

Police-community collaboration will only be possible when leadership builds bridges of trust.

These ideals will become reality when human contact, with respect as the foundation, is enhanced between police and the community.

Respect is the heart of community policing. This virtue must be complemented by improving use of force standards, enhanced training and certification initiatives, transparency and accountability, and a renaissance of ethical values in policing but throughout all of society.

Community Policing: Cultivating Human Contact

Modern technology can be a great asset to life when properly utilized.

But this technology has a downside when it replaces human contact. Human contact is essential for a healthy person, family, and community. It is also irreplaceable for police-community relations, and must be continually cultivated on the pillars of respect, courtesy, professionalism, and ethical values.

In my presentations for police, educators, students, and community leaders, I often use a graphic slide to emphasize the dramatic technological progress over the last twenty-five years.

We are able to instantly communicate with messages, pictures, documents, and videos and share anywhere on the planet.

Yet, I argue during these presentations that human contact has not improved during this same time-frame.
Actually, it may have diminished as we have allowed technological communication to be a substitute for human contact.

This can be witnessed with the deterioration of family life, marriage, parenting, faith-based communities, civility, and community.

American policing has an opportunity to shine and enhance human contact, a critical component of community policing.

Human contact, built on the pillar of respect, must be the heart of policing. It is paramount for building trust and restoring community.

Pro-Police and Pro-Community

Trust and community is the heart of over two years of published works on issues critical to America for the Epoch Times.

Perhaps, these are best summarized by the first and second, of my nine principles, titled “Principles of American Policing.”

These principles, published in the May 1, 2015 edition are as follows:

1. Being pro-police and pro-community are inseparable, indefatigable, and pre-eminent. Police must at all times remain fully committed to protecting and serving the public through character, ethics, and leadership that is total and wholehearted. Police must be guided by a moral compass that honors the community, Constitution, and Bill of Rights.

2. Respect must be the heart of the police and it must be unwavering for the profession, colleagues, and community. Respect can only be earned through integrity, accountability, and transparency. These qualities build trust, legitimacy, and collaboration.

The True Heart of American Law Enforcement

On Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, James B. Comey, Director of the FBI, spoke at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Annual Conference in San Diego, California.

Since I hold a profound appreciation for the FBI, and admire the leadership of Director Comey, I recommend careful reading of this speech.

Since Director Comey compliments my dedication to police-community unity, memorialized in my articles and speeches, I would like to highlight parts of his speech. His thoughts, paraphrased for the sake of brevity, include the following:

• There is a riptide of challenges for American law enforcement that demands leadership and truth to calm the waters.
• Leadership in policing demands that we know the people we serve and that we are completely dedicated to all the people, all the time.
• Good policing is respectful, disciplined, firm, fair, lawful, and transparent. Good police leaders blend combinations of kindness with toughness, humility with confidence, and decency with determination to deliver results.
• Leaders know the hopes, dreams, disappointments, and pain of black America. They know law enforcement’s historical interaction with black America, and that African-Americans, like all Americans, want good policing, essential to safety and prosperity.
• Leaders understand that contemporary police challenges are being multiplied by a false narrative stating “Biased police are killing black men at epidemic rates.”
• True police leaders never give up because they care. They talk to their citizens, elected officials, media, and officers. They are respectful, moral, transparent, and support the mission of their officers who are making a difference, saving lives, and building bridges with community.
• There are bad cops … departments with troubled cultures … people are flawed. Law enforcement is in the spotlight, entrusted with power and authority, and we must accept the spotlight and demand higher standards for ourselves.
• Police officers are overwhelmingly good people … who took exhausting, dangerous jobs because they want to help people. They chose lives of service over self, lives of moral content, because that’s who they are.

Final Reflections

Although I normally conclude my articles with personal reflections, the final words for this article, from Director Comey’s IACP speech, are respectfully reserved for him:

“As we work to close the chasm, we need to show the young people of America what it is like to choose service over self. We need to show them what American law enforcement is really like. Because if they know what we know, they will want to be part of it. And we also need to show the people of America, especially people of color and especially the black community, what we are really like. Because if they see what we see, the chasm will start to close.

“I saw the true heart of American law enforcement in a church in Orlando in June. I went down to have a private meeting with the first responders to the attack at the Pulse nightclub. I wanted to thank them, in person, and privately.

“As I stood looking out at the sea of faces, a hand went up. A man in uniform stood up. He told me his name and then he said, “I’m Jewish.” That confused me, but he went on. “I was one of the first there that night, and as I ran toward the sound of gunfire, at my side was a Muslim officer. We were Jew and Muslim and Christian. We were white and black and Latino and Asian. We ran to help people we didn’t know and we didn’t care what they looked like. We ran toward the danger because that’s who we are, that’s what we do. I thought you should know that. I think people should know that.” And then he sat down.

“That is the true heart of law enforcement.”

Related Coverage:

Videos Are Transforming Police–Community Relations

Transforming American Policing: A Defining Moment

Law Enforcement and Race: FBI Director’s Hard Truths

Building Police-Community Trust: Wake Up, America

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

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Photo

Police officers face off with protesters on the I-85 in Charlotte, N.C., on Sept. 21, 2016. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Rape and Sexual Assault Highlighted in Presidential Campaigns

In my Feb. 24, 2016 article for the Epoch Times titled “Campus Sexual Predators: Issues and Response,” America’s nightmare of rape and sexual assaults on college campuses was addressed.

The article was a clarion call for all student’s attending college, and their parents to be aware of the magnitude of sexual crimes.

In the article, I stressed that “the college experience must not turn into heartbreak, tragedy, or a nightmare for anyone.”

The article also demanded that “American campuses must be havens of security, moral courage, and ethical behavior; not cauldrons of abuse igniting retaliation against victims, contempt for moral decency, or violation of the law.”

Staggering sexual assault statistics was presented in the article that highlighted a culture of enabling predators on campus.

A call to action for ending sexual crimes on campus was encouraged.

The Hunting Ground, a must-watch film of a powerful, yet disturbing exposé on the crisis of sexual assaults taking place on U.S. college campuses is highly recommended.

Spotlight on Rape and Sexual Assault

Recently, the issue of sexual assault and rape was in the spotlight due to the presidential campaigns.

This avalanche of emotion was ignited by one presidential candidate, whose reprehensible comments from a hot mic were exposed.

It was a reminder that sooner or later, behavior is exposed and accountability must be the order of the day.

The shameful exploits of this candidate was further compounded by additional resurfaced media coverage exposing salacious, lewd, and obscene remarks during interviews.

It is important to note that not only were his comments extremely vulgar, offensive, and dishonorable, but also a glorification of adultery.

Although I condemn these abhorrent remarks, the purpose of this article is not to sink his candidacy or endorse his rival. It is the responsibility of each voter to follow their conscience regarding their choice on Election Day.

But it is undeniable, the American presidential campaign has now ignited a national firestorm demanding transparency to prevent callousness, sexual assault, and rape.

Across America, there was an eruption of media coverage and stories from women sharing painful memories of being victimized.

Women throughout America have expressed outrage and publicly responded, “This has happened to me!”

The issue has also effected the democratic candidate with resurfaced allegations of sexual misconduct of her husband.

The spotlighting of sexual abuse and rape must be opportunity for awareness, education, and prevention, not denial, avoidance, and dishonesty.

America must seize the moment and educate in all of our homes, schools, campuses, and workplaces so that sexual abuse and rape can be prevented.

Rape and Sexual Assault: Working Definitions

It is important to understand the distinction between rape and sexual assault.

Definitions from the US Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics are as follows:

Rape - Forced sexual intercourse including both psychological coercion as well as physical force. Forced sexual intercourse means penetration by the offender(s). Includes attempted rapes, male as well as female victims, and both heterosexual and same sex rape. Attempted rape includes verbal threats of rape.

Sexual assault - A wide range of victimizations, separate from rape or attempted rape. These crimes include attacks or attempted attacks generally involving unwanted sexual contact between victim and offender. Sexual assaults may or may not involve force and include such things as grabbing or fondling. It also includes verbal threats.

Scope of the Problem

Unfortunately, both presidential candidates lost a golden teachable opportunity by attacking one another during the Oct. 9 debate, rather than educating and offering solutions.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW), calculated facts and statistics from a recent year in the United States include the following:

• Approximately 30% of sexual assault cases are reported to the authorities.
• 62,939 cases of child sexual abuse were reported.
• There were 346,830 reported rapes or sexual assaults of persons 12 or older.
• 25 percent of the female victims of rape and sexual assault were victimized by strangers.
• About 20 million of 112 million women (18.0 percent) have been raped in their lifetime.
• In one year alone, 300,000 college women (5.2 percent) were raped.
• 81 percent of women who experienced rape, stalking, or physical violence by an intimate partner reported significant short-or long-term impacts.
• About 1.8 million adolescents have been victims of sexual assault.
• 35.8 percent of sexual assaults occur when the victim is between the ages of 12 and 17.
• Teens 16 to 19 years of age were 3 ½ times more likely than the general population to be victims of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault.

Perhaps additional data from the Rape Abuse Incest National Network (RAINN), a nonprofit that advocates for survivors of sexual abuse, crystallizes the sexual abuse and rape culture.

According to RAINN, an American is sexually assaulted every two minutes, with the majority of assaults occurring at or near the victim’s home.

Final Reflections

In my Sept. 29, 2016 Epoch Times article titled “21st Century America Requires Police-Community Unity,” I recommended, after the first presidential debate, that candidates, and their leadership teams, review my articles on police-community collaboration.

After viewing the second presidential debate on Oct. 9, and observing the outcry unleashed throughout the nation on rape and sexual assault, I encourage both candidates to also read my articles on the critical importance of the American presidency.

These articles emphasize virtue, a moral compass, and ethical courage as pillars for the dignity of the presidency.

The oval office is a critical platform for America’s future and it deserves unparalleled honesty, character, and unwavering ethical values.

Americans must pray that our leaders have moral leadership to reawaken the nation, by galvanizing healing, decency, and understanding.

We the people, must demand these ethical qualities from our leaders and tolerate nothing less.

Related Coverage:

Lincoln’s Leadership Principles for Presidential Candidates

America’s President Must Have Character, Ethics, Leadership

America’s Next President Demands an Ethical Protector

America’s Next President Needs to Have Altruistic Leadership

Note Well:

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

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Vincent is author of over 200 articles, including his weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times; 35 countries, 21 languages, and growing.

Photos

1. The Hunting Ground, recommended film on the scope of campus rapes, sexual assaults, and cover-ups.

2. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton (R) in Warren, Mich., on Aug. 11, 2016. (Bill Pugliano/Getty Images); and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 9, 2016. (Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images)

Policing Requires Ethical Protectors

America must rise to the occasion and remedy contemporary deficiencies with an unwavering patriotism that honors our democracy, Constitution, and freedoms.

The current issues that demand attention are police-community relations, compounded by our culture of violence and crisis of leadership.

These problems impact not only communities, corporations, agencies, schools, and families, but the very moral fabric of America.

Collaboration: Catalyst for Renewal

America must forge partnerships throughout every level of society as collaboration is critical for renewal.

On Tuesday, Oct. 4,2016, this collaboration was evident with a unique conference that focused on ethical leadership, violence prevention, and building bridges of trust with police and communities.

The event titled “21st Century Policing: America’s Ethical Guardians” was held at the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute (BCLPSI) in Mahwah, New Jersey.

It was a collaboration of Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir Grewal, the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association (BCPCA),the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), and BCLPSI in partnership with Vincent J. Bove Speaker Services and Resolution Group International (RGI).

Over 100 law enforcement rank and file officials attended the event from agencies throughout the region.

These included large agencies such as the NYPD, Port Authority Police Department, New York State Police, New Jersey State Police, BCSO, Jersey City Police Department, and United States Marshalls Service.

Smaller agencies also were represented including the West Orange Police Department, Verona Police Department, Rutherford Police Department, Garfield Police Department, North Bergen Police Department, Emerson Police Department, Mansfield Police Department, Wyckoff Police Department, and Livingston Police Department.

The representation from local, city, county, state, and federal agencies, reflect the make-up of American policing nationwide.

21st Century Policing

As a member of the BCPCA for the past fifteen years, it was an honor for me to develop the program in collaboration with its president, Chief Frank Regino of Westwood, Sheriff Michael Saudino of the BCSO, and Chief Louis Ghione, (retired) from the North Arlington Police Department.

It was also a privilege to serve the event as one of the two featured speakers.

My presentation titled “21st Century Policing: America’s Ethical Guardians” used my signature metaphor of a train wreck caused by a head-on collision.

This metaphor dramatized the crisis of leadership and culture of violence throughout America.

During my presentation, highlighted with graphic slides, I also addressed America’s broken family crisis, the gang culture, substance and alcohol abuse, principles of visionary leadership, and current police-community controversies.

Numerous reports including the “Final Report of the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing,” the “Investigation of the Ferguson Police Department,” and the “Investigation of the Baltimore City Police Department,” were identified and summarized.

Attendees were encouraged to carefully study these documents, as well as my published articles in the Epoch Times over the last few years, as they punctuate police-community issues.

The article titled “Transforming the NYPD: Terminating Toxic Police Officers,” published in the Oct. 14, 2014 edition of the Epoch Times was also shared and reviewed.

In this article, I expressed appreciation for former NYPD Commissioner William Bratton’s remarks to 800 of his police brass during an Oct. 2014 retreat.

In his customary transparency, Bratton addressed the small percentage of NYPD officers who are “poisoning the well” and needed to be weeded out.

Bratton said, “My intention going forward is to insure that we will aggressively seek to get those out of the department who should not be there-the brutal, the corrupt, the racist, the incompetent … they are poisoning the well, and the trust we deserve and the trust we need is eroded by some of their actions.”

I stressed that the moral courage exemplified by Bratton has lessons to be learned for law enforcement agencies throughout America.

My presentation concluded with a call to action, reminding all that law enforcement is critical to America, and as ethical protector’s, they must remain committed to the ideals of their noble profession.

The Ethical Protector

Jack Hoban, President of RGI, and coauthor of “The Ethical Protector: Police Ethics, Tactics, Techniques,” also delivered a presentation. It was inspirational, educational, and focused on ethical values that are critical to law enforcement.

These values as dramatized during his presentation, include honor, courage, commitment, integrity, respect, justice, charity, freedom, dependability, and knowledge.

A subject matter expert on martial arts and ethics for the U.S. Marines, Hoban has trained military and police internationally. He emphasized protecting life as the virtue that distinguishes an authentic ethical protector from others who would desecrate moral values in the name of a cause.

Hoban stated the ethical protector upholds moral values because of his unwavering dedication to protecting the life of self and others, all others including a wounded enemy on the battlefield.

The moral compass of the ethical protector, crystallized by Hoban, is the value of each and every human life and the commitment to protecting life, even in the face of personal danger.

He also emphasized that the foundation of the ethical protector must be complemented by physical and mental health, communication skills, conflict resolution techniques, respect for the diversity of every human being, and moral courage.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was also addressed during Hoban’s presentation. He stated that research shows three factors cause PTSD. These are either trauma, betrayal, or the guilt that comes from dehumanizing the enemy.

Jack emphasized that law enforcement are called to be “ethical protectors” with a responsibility to serve and protect all, because everyone deserves dignity, respect, and protection.

The heart of Jack’s presentation can be summarized through a creed by Robert L. Humphrey, a U.S. Marine who served on Iwo Jima and was his mentor, friend, and inspiration:

Wherever I go
everyone is a little safer because I am there.
Wherever I am, anyone in need has a friend.
Whenever I return home, everyone is happy I am there.
It’s a better life.

Final Reflections

America must address the contemporary crisis of leadership, violence, and police-community mistrust with courage, honesty, and transparency.

When we address these issues with the character, ethics, and leadership, we are on the path of being ethical protectors and reawakening the nation.

Related Coverage:

21st Century America Requires Police–Community Unity

The Cop: America’s Ethical Guardian

Videos Are Transforming Police–Community Relations

Transforming American Policing: A Defining Moment

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

Vincent is author of over 200 articles, including his weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times; 35 countries, 21 languages, and growing.

Testimonial

“Vincent ... On behalf of all the members of the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association, I would like to extend a sincere thank you for your presentation on October 4, 2016. Those of us who were in attendance truly appreciated the information we were given and the exceptional manner in which it was presented.”
Bergen County Police Chiefs Association, President

Photos

1. Jack Hoban, President of RGI, delivering his presentation at the “21st Century Policing: America’s Ethical Guardians” conference, BCLPSI, Mahwah, NJ, Oct. 4, 2016. (Vincent J. Bove)

2. Left to Right, NYPD Detective James T. Shanahan, Vincent J. Bove, NYPD Sgt. Supervisor Daren DeMarco, and Jack Hoban at the “21st Century Policing America’s Ethical Guardians” conference, BCLPSI, Mahwah, NJ, Oct. 4, 2016. (Courtesy Vincent J. Bove Publishing)