Five Preliminary Tips for Improving American School Security

The world is watching America’s response to the ongoing school violence crisis.

There are challenges, controversies, and confusions, but there are remedies, countermeasures, and prevention principles.

As a response to the issues, here are five preliminary tips to improve school security that deserves attention, collaboration, and implementation.

Improving School Security

1. Security Vulnerability Assessment: The security vulnerability assessment (SVA) identifies and evaluates the vulnerabilities and strengths of a school and/or district. The SVA is conducted to develop crisis countermeasures. It must be developed on the principles of leadership, vigilance, and collaboration. The primary concern of an SVA is the protection of lives and should be conducted by a reputable board certified protection professional (CPP).

Each school has its own complexion and the SVA is essential to properly diagnosis specific, effective, and corrective measures for security.

The SVA includes sound risk management principles of mitigation /prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. The assessment includes recommendations on personnel security, physical security, emergency practices, informational security, and all facets of training.

A professional board certified SVA also includes:

• Existing plan identification and review
• Interviews from throughout the entire school community including administrators, teachers, counselors, psychologists, cafeteria workers, coaches, bus drivers, students, parents, law enforcement, first responders, janitorial staff, and vendors.
• Interviews should also include the superintendent and board of education representation
• Analysis of the pedagogy / culture of the school - repressive, lax, or preventative
• Evaluation of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles
• Review of arrival, exchanges, dismissal, cafeteria assemblies, and extracurricular activities
• Security policy and procedure review
• Safety and security checklists
• Access management issues: ID cards, metal detectors, barrier arms, bollards
• Visitor/ contractor / delivery analysis
• Security personnel
• Law enforcement and First Responder partnerships
• Event venue security analysis
• Communication systems for emergencies
• Extracurricular activities security
• Walkthroughs
• Luminosity studies
• Active shooter, fire drills, evacuations, lockdown, sheltering in place, bomb threat drill reviews
• Character education culture analysis
• Early warning signs
• Threat assessment / crisis management team analysis
• Review of school culture - character, respect, and diversity
• Bullying prevention review
• School Resource Officer (SRO) / Contract or In-House Security Personnel - training, certification, interviews

2. School resource officers (SRO’s): one of the most important school violence prevention, character education, and community policing initiatives. But to be most effective, the SRO program demands the most qualified, trained, certified, and dedicated police professionals available.

It is also essential that qualified back-up officers are also available for relief needs of assigned SRO’s.

According to the document, “To Protect & Educate: The School Resource Officer and the Prevention of Violence in Schools,” published by the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO), the activities of the SRO include the following:

• Meeting with principals each morning to exchange information gathered from parents, community members, and social media to detect potential spillover of threats, drug activity, and other behavior onto campus.
• Meeting with campus and community social workers to understand when and how at home issues may be motivating a student’s disruptive behavior in order to work with school staff to ensure effective and supportive responses.
• Listening to students’ concerns about bullying by other students and taking those problems to school administrators to help develop solutions.
• Coordinating additional law enforcement resources to assist with large public events on school campuses such as athletic events, dances, and community functions.
• Working with school administrators to keep the school’s Emergency Management Plan updated.
• Scheduling emergency drills in conjunction with other local agencies.

3. Preventive System of Education: In my Apr. 24, 2014 article for the Epoch Times titled American Teachers: Inspire the Heart and Transform the Country, I argued that there are essentially two basic forms of education in American schools. There is the repressive system that makes rules known, watches for transgressions, and is quick to discipline a student by inflicting condescending correction and punishment. The errant zero-tolerance policy in so many schools is an example of a repressive system - rigid, bureaucratic, and impersonal.

The better pedagogy is the preventive system of education. In this system, educators are vigilant in a caring manner and offer patient guidance from the heart consistent with kindness, character, and reasonableness. The preventive system of education builds trust, respect, and connections with students and the community. This pedagogy is the opposite of a zero-tolerance approach. The preventative system responds to concerns with measured interventions that promotes reasonableness, dignity, and respect.

The repressive system is dictatorial and may temporarily stop a disorder or a warning sign, but will not inspire students or properly remedy the issue. The preventive system speaks the language of the heart and is transformational. It provides speedy intervention to warning signs due to the educator’s dedication, presence, and corrective follow-through.

The preventative system of education is inseparable from a robust character education program and culture.

4. Professional Development Programs: these programs are important for all staff members and must include coaches, parents, cafeteria personnel, SRO’s, board of education members, and all involved with the school. Some of the topics I have covered in my professional development programs include Ambassadors of Community Transformation, American School Violence Prevention, Character Education: Vital to the School Community, Early Warning Signs: Preventing a School Violence Crisis, Crisis Planning, Transforming Our Schools: The Heart and Brick of School Security, 21st Century Parenting: Interested, Informed, Involved, and Creating a Culture of Achievement and Character.

Insights from classic government documents including Early Warning Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools, Practical Information on Crisis Planning: A Guide for Safe Schools and Communities, The Final Report And Findings Of The Safe School Initiative: Implications For The Prevention Of School Attacks In The United States, and Threat Assessment in Schools: A Guide To Managing Threatening Situations And To Creating Safe School Climates should also be incorporated into training programs.

5. Character Development Initiatives for Students: Schools must provide the leadership to instill a culture of character. Developing students with hearts of character built on the pillars of honesty, respect, civility, and patriotism must be paramount throughout America’s educational communities. Character is critical for transforming America from it’s culture of violence. Character education must be consistent, exemplified, and rewarded in our schools. Students must be inspired to realize that lives of character influence their schools, families, communities, and the very heart of the nation. A robust character education program is inseparable from the preventative system of education previously recommended.

Final Reflections

The response to school violence is multi-faceted and involves many disciplines and these tips serve as a good starting point.

Other important elements for school security include board certified security directors, robust bullying awareness and prevention programs, crisis management teams, threat assessment teams, and updated emergency plans that continually test all response and communication systems.

We must wake up and put the lessons learned from school and campus violence tragedies into action.

Each of us must play our part to be catalysts in the reawakening of America. This will take place when we implement comprehensive security enhancements, respond to warning signs with full-force resolve, and build collaboration with all members of the school community.

Related Coverage:

Police in Schools: Safeguarding America, Building Character

America’s Schools: Security, Character, Academics

School Bullying: A Matter of Life and Death

American Teachers: Inspire the Heart and Transform the Country

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 250 articles, including his weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times; 35 countries, 21 languages, and growing. As a national speaker, he has addressed audiences nationwide on issues critical to America including ethical leadership, violence prevention, and crisis planning.

Photos

1. Police officers stand in front of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School as students arrive to attend classes for the first time since the shooting that killed 17 people on Feb. 14, at the school on Feb. 28, 2018 in Parkland, Florida. In the wake of the mass shooting the nation is engaged in an intense discussion about how to improve school security. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

2. Students with their teacher at a character education presentation by Vincent J. Bove titled Be a Person of Character: Change the World at Union City Public Schools, N.J., on Feb. 27, 2009. (Vincent J. Bove)

3. Police officer with students. (Courtesy U.S. Department of Justice, COPS Office)

4. Over 100 educators from the North Arlington Public Schools in New Jersey assemble for a professional development session conducted by Vincent J. Bove prior to the school year on Sept. 3, 2013. All attendees received copies of “Early Warning Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools.” (Vincent J. Bove)

5. Middle school students at Washington School in Union City, N.J., listen to Vincent’s signature presentation “Be a Person of Character: Change the World” on Feb. 27, 2008. (Vincent J. Bove)

17 Wounds to America’s Heart Demand Moral Courage

A culture of violence indisputably exists in America.

This culture has manifested itself once again with the senseless loss of 17 lives in Parkland, Florida.

The continuous, merciless, and reprehensible loss of innocent lives must cease.

These losses throughout America, are inflicted among the most vulnerable of society, the youth in our schools and colleges.

Leadership, Vigilance, Collaboration

America must listen to the cries of anguish, agony, and suffering in our communities.

We must respond with a full-force ethical leadership, heightened vigilance, and relentless collaboration to make changes that are needed to stop the carnage.

Perhaps the reawakening of America, which has been the vision of my efforts over the last 20 years, needs additional inspiration. To this end, I humbly share these reflections from my mission statement:

“Inspired by the Sentinels of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the mission of Reawakening America is to cultivate core values of moral courage, compassion, character, community, and perseverance throughout our country.

“All are called in share it this mission - students, parents, educators, administrators, counselors, law enforcement, emergency responders, community leaders, employees, our armed forces, employees, our armed forces, employers and government officials - in a unity of effort built on trust, honor, and respect.”

Parkland, Florida: Listen to Their Cries

America must pause to honor the lives gone too soon from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Our nation must be not allow their passing to be in vain, and be fully committed to transforming America from its culture of violence.

Alyssa Alhadeff, 14: a student who after being dropped off at school on that fateful day heard the words from her mom on Valentine ’s Day, “I love you.”

Scott Beigel, 35: a geography teacher who according to Kesley Friend, one of his students, saved her life. “Mr. Beigel was my hero and he still will be forever my hero. I will never forget the actions that he took for me and for my fellow students in the classroom. I am alive today because of him.”

Martin Duque Anguiano, 14: as remembered by his brother, “He was a very funny kid, outgoing, and sometimes really quiet. He was sweet and caring and loved by his family. Most of all, he was my baby brother.”

Nicholas Dworet, 17: an outstanding senior swimmer preparing for a bright future with the University of Indianapolis swim team who confirmed his recruitment.

Aaron Feis, 37: an assistant football coach killed after throwing himself in front of students to save their lives.

Jamie Guttenberg, 14: as detailed by her father on a Facebook post, “My heart is broken. Yesterday, Jennifer Bloom Gutenberg and I lost our baby girl to a violent shooting at her school. We lost our daughter and my son Jesse Guttenberg lost his sister.”

Chris Hixon, 49: a naval reservist who was deployed to Iraq in 2007 and served as the school athletic director. Chris was remembered by his widow Debra, “He loved being an American and serving his country and he instilled that in our kids.”

Luke Hoyer, 15: a relative remembered Luke by posting on Facebook that the family is “devastated by this senseless tragedy … our Luke was a precious child.”

Cara Loughran, 14: as posted by a neighbor Danny Vogel on Facebook, “RIP Cara, and fly with the angels. You will be greatly missed, and we will always love you and celebrate your beautiful life.”

Gina Montalto, 14: as memorialized by her aunt, Shawn Sherlock on Facebook, “I know somewhere in the heavens she’s designing the latest and greatest trends and has her art book she always carried with her as well.”

Joaquin Oliver, 17: as noted on Dec. 31 in his last Instagram post, Joaquin stated, “Thank you lord for putting a greater blessing then I could ever imagine into my life this past year. I love you with all my heart.”

Alaina Petty, 14: as detailed in a family statement, “While we will not have the opportunity to watch her grow up and become the amazing woman we know she would become, we are keeping an eternal perspective.”

Meadow Pollack, 18: a friend, Gll Lovito, posted on Facebook, “Please say a prayer for the family of an amazing girl I got to call my best friend growing up, Meadow Pollard, her life was taken way too soon and I have no words to describe how this feels. Rest in Peace my beautiful angel. You are and forever will be loved.”

Helena Ramsey, 17: a family member, Curtis Page Jr., posted on Facebook, "Helena was a smart, kind hearted, and thoughtful person. She was deeply loved and loved others even more so. Though she was somewhat reserved, she had a relentless motivation towards her academic studies, and her soft warm demeanor brought the best out in all who knew her. She was so brilliant and witty, and I'm still wrestling with the idea that she is actually gone."

Alex Schachter, 14: a high school band member whose family set up a Go Fund Me scholarship fund in his memory, "In an effort to continue his memory, this scholarship is being created to help other students experience the joys of music as well as fund increased security at schools. Please help keep Alex's spirit alive."

Carmen Schentrup, 16: a National Merit Scholar semifinalist who was remembered in a tweet stating “Your family is forever in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry.”

Peter Wang, 15: a member of the ROTC program who was remembered by his classmate Kelsey Friend,"It's hard to not have him in the hallways anymore because me and him used to laugh with each other. He used to make me smile. And now he's gone."

Final Reflections

Voices of America’s youth are responding to the ongoing school violence with a unique, passionate, and collective clarion voice of moral courage.

The epicenter of these voices are from Parkland, Florida and they are serving as catalysts for youth to speak-up and act throughout America.

These voices are demanding change from glaciers of apathy, indifference, and incompetence. These young students deserve America’s undivided attention, as they represent the future of our nation, and have suffered unimaginable anguish.

America's youth deserve our leadership, encouragement, and empowerment to end the madness of this unleashed violence upon the innocents.

The deafening silence that takes place in America soon after past tragedies must change from indifference to resolve.

We must listen to the voices of America’s youth and respond with the commitment necessary to end the scourge of school violence and change the course of the nation.

Related Coverage:

American School Violence Requires a Response of Courage, Commitment, and Community

School Violence Crisis: America, Wake Up

America’s 21st Century Student: Character, Courage, Community

America’s Schools: Security, Character, Academics

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 250 articles, including his weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times; 35 countries, 21 languages, and growing. As a national speaker, he has addressed audiences nationwide on issues critical to America including ethical leadership, violence prevention, and crisis planning.

Photos

1. Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Parkland Florida victims. (Credit WPTV)
2. Melissa Shev visits a makeshift memorial setup in front of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in memory of the 17 people that were killed on Feb. 14, in Parkland, Florida, Florida on Feb. 20. 2018. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Breaking News: Parkland, Florida School Violence Calamity

Published reports indicate 17 dead at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School located in Parkland, Broward County, Florida.

"America must listen to the cries coming from Parkland, FL, and from communities throughout the nation that have suffered from tragedies.

"The school violence crisis will continue unless we respond collaboratively - law enforcement, schools, communities, students, families - with full force moral courage, compassion, and character.

"Our nation must not wait, once again, for the next school violence calamity. All must stand up and be counted as a dedicated member of the community, and get involved with our youth through the schools. Failure is not an option for the price is too great. We must prevail in taking back America from the culture of violence which has become so massive, heartbreaking, and pervasive.

"America, do not be desensitized through this continuous, reprehensible, and intensifying bombardment of violence. Become and remain outraged - respond with full force determination and reawaken the nation by resetting our moral compass." Vincent J. Bove

Read More:

American School Violence Requires a Response of Courage, Commitment, and Community

America’s Schools: Security, Character, Academics

School Violence Crisis: America, Wake Up

American Teachers: Inspire the Heart and Transform the Country

America’s 21st Century Student: Character, Courage, Community

(Photo Credit: Joel Auerbach/AP)

Honoring America’s Fallen Police Officer Heroes

When a police officer is killed there is an eternal wound to the family, colleagues, community, and the heart of America.

The on-going dangers of protecting American communities continue with no end in sight.

According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, which honors all of law enforcement heroes who have fallen in the line of duty, 2018 has had a tragic start.

There are already fifteen line of duty deaths including a 9/11 related illness, automobile crashes, gunfire, and being struck by a vehicle.

Fallen Officers: Rest in Eternal Peace

All who have offered the ultimate sacrifice protecting and serving our communities deserve our eternal gratitude and heartfelt prayers.

We must also honor their memory with actions toward their loved ones that express honor, compassion, and dignity.

America would quickly deteriorate into anarchy, disorder, and chaos without these ethical protectors serving our communities.

Here are the names of America’s fallen officers who have died in 2018:

• Police Officer Anthony Morelli, Westerville Division of Police, Ohio. End of Watch: Saturday, Feb. 10. Officer Morelli, 54 years-old, served for 29 years before being shot and killed after responding to a 911 hang-up call. He is survived by his wife and two children.

• Police Officer Eric Joering, Westerville Division of Police, Ohio. End of Watch: Saturday, Feb. 10. Officer Joering, 39 years-old, served for 17 years and was killed by gunfire with Officer Anthony Morelli while responding to a 911 hang-up call. He is survived by his wife, four daughters, and his K-9 partner Sam.

• Police Officer Chase Maddox, Locust Grove Police Department, Georgia. End of Watch: Friday, Feb. 10. Officer Maddox, 26 years-old, was shot and killed while assisting two deputies from the Henry County Sheriff’s Office serve a warrant. He had served his department for five years and is survived by his expectant wife and one child.

• Police Officer David Sherrard, Richardson Police Department, Texas. End of Watch: Wednesday, Feb. 17. Officer Sherrard, 37 years-old, was shot and killed while responding to a disturbance at an apartment complex. He had served his department for 13 years and is survived by his wife and two daughters.

• Reserve Officer Jarate Dewayen Condit, Ashen Police Department, Oklahoma. End of Watch: Tuesday, Feb. 6. Reserve Officer Condit, 23 years-old, was killed in a vehicle crash in route to mandatory training. He was also a volunteer firefighter and survived by his young child and parents.

• Deputy Sheriff Steven Belanger, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, California. End of Watch: Tuesday, Feb. 6. Officer Belanger succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained on Dec. 10. 1994 when he was ambushed while conducting a traffic stop. At that time he was shot in the back of the head, and he remained confined to a wheelchair and in need of constant care for over 23 years until his passing. He is survived by his wife and daughter.

• Deputy Sheriff Micah Flick, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado. End of Watch: Monday, Feb. 5. Deputy Sheriff Micah, 34 years-old, was shot and killed while conducting an auto theft investigation. He was killed on the 11th anniversary of starting with his department and survived by his wife and 7 year-old twins.

• Police Officer Glenn Anthony, Doss, Jr., Detroit Police Department, Michigan. End of Watch: Sunday, Jan. 28. Officer Doss Jr., 25 years-old, succumbed to a gunshot wound while responding to a domestic disturbance call. He had been with the Detroit Police Department for two years and is survived by his 9-month-old, girlfriend, and parents.

• Deputy Sheriff Heath McDonald Gumm, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado. End of Watch: Wednesday, Jan. 24. Deputy Sheriff Gumm was shot and killed during a foot pursuit after responding to an assault in progress. He is survived by his wife, parents, sister, and grandmother.

• Deputy U.S. Marshal Christopher David Hill, United States Marshals Service. End of Watch: Thursday, Jan. 18. Deputy U.S. Marshal Hill, 45 years-old, was shot and killed in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania while attempting to serve an arrest warrant. He was a U.S. Army veteran who had served the U.S. Marshals Service for 11 years. Deputy U.S. Marshal Hill is survived by his wife and two children.

• Detective Michael R. Doty, York County Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina. End of Watch: Wednesday, Jan. 17. Detective Doty, 37 years-old, succumbed to gunshot wounds while searching for an armed and dangerous subject who had shot a York County Sheriff’s canine handler the day before. Detective Doty had served with the York County Sheriff’s Office for 12 years.

• Deputy Sheriff Daniel A. McCartney, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, Washington. End of Watch: Monday, Jan. 28. Deputy Sheriff McCartney, 34 years-old, was shot and killed while responding to a burglary in progress after engaging in foot pursuit of the subject. He was a U.S. Navy veteran who is survived by his wife and three sons.

• Officer Chris Beaudion, Monroe Police Department, Louisiana. End of Watch: Jan. 7. While in his patrol car, Officer Beaudion, 26 years-old, was killed in a single vehicle crash causing him to suffer fatal injuries. He is survived by his wife, two children, and parents.

• Lieutenant Christopher Robateau, Jersey City Police Department, New Jersey. End of Watch: Friday, Jan. 5. Lt. Robateau was struck and killed by a vehicle as he rendered assistance to another driver involved in an accident. He was in uniform and traveling to work when he was struck. Lt. Robateau is survived by his wife and three children.

• Trooper Michael J. Anson, New York State Police, New York. End of Watch: Tuesday, Jan. 2. Trooper Anson, 56 years-old, died as a result of cancer that he developed following his 9/11 search and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center. He is survived by his wife, three children, and brothers.

Final Reflections

Each of these heroes protecting and serving our communities deserve America’s eternal gratitude, remembrance, and respect.

We must also be forever mindful of their families and support them with compassion, sensitivity, and dignity.

America is the land of the free and home of the brave because of these faithful servants.

We will forever honor them, and hold their families, friends, and law enforcement colleagues in our prayers.

Related Coverage:

Honoring Our Fallen Police, Firefighters, Military

National Police Week: Honoring Ethical Protectors

Dallas Police Tragedy: Healing, Unity, Renewal

Fallen Police Officers: Honoring American Sentinels

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 250 articles, including his weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times; 35 countries, 21 languages, and growing. As a national speaker, he has addressed audiences nationwide on issues critical to America including ethical leadership, violence prevention, and crisis planning.

Photos:

1. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund candlelight vigil, May 13, 2016, National Mall, Washington D.C. (Courtesy FBI)
2. Officer Anthony Morelli, Westerville Division of Police. (Courtesy Westerville Division of Police, Ohio)

Empowering America’s Police to Serve as Ethical Protectors

It has been an honor for me to serve American law enforcement over the last 20 years with presentations and published works.

These works have addressed critical issues including leadership development, violence prevention, and crisis management.

The heart of my service has been ethical policing, critical to the law enforcement profession.

Ethical training and development must be the foundation for all who take the solemn oath to protect and serve.

The challenges of contemporary policing demand that we empower America’s law enforcement professionals with the resources needed for standing on ethical pillars.

Protecting the Shield, Safeguarding Communities

In my home state of New Jersey, there was a recent published series addressing police misconduct.

The series was based on investigative research that examined the price paid by the public when bad cops remain on local police forces.

The series alleged that New Jersey governments throughout the state, “from the smallest towns to some of the largest cities, have spent at least $42.7 million this decade to cover-up deaths, physical abuses, and sexual misconduct at the hands of bad cops.”

The publication also alleged that the abuses have left a staggering toll with at least 19 dead, 131 injured, 7 sexual transgressions, dozens of false arrests, and harassment offenses.

According to the series, in many cases local police departments were aware of, or even tolerated abuse and that damage is concealed by secret settlements and nondisclosure agreements to silence victims of abuse.

Highlighting Ethical Policing

Before continuing with honestly addressing unethical issues through training and development initiatives, let us accentuate the positive.

The overwhelming majority of America’s law enforcement professionals stand on ethical principles.

There are hundreds of thousands serving in the admirable law enforcement profession who exemplify ethical conduct through countless daily acts of professionalism, courtesy, and honor.

Some of the recent headlines memorializing the ethical foundation of our law enforcement profession include the following:

• US Marshall from York County ‘died a hero’ in Harrisburg shooting; dad of 2 was Army vet

• Hospitalized officer who risked life during icy pond rescue says he’s not a hero

• ‘True hero’ Detroit police officer Glenn Doss Jr killed responding to emergency call

• Days after Narcan training, St. Paul police officer saves a woman suffering overdose

• Columbus police officer saves woman from freezing pond

• Indiana officer saves child’s life first day on the job

• Heroic St. Joseph County police officer save woman from fiery car

Law Enforcement Code of Ethics

According to the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the law enforcement code of ethics stands as a “preface to the mission and commitment law enforcement agencies make to the public they serve.”

The code of ethics, as documented on the IACP website begins with these principles:

“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. Honest in thought and deed both in my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the law and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.”

Empowering Ethical Protectors

Just this week, I had the privilege of discussing implementing my program titled “21st Century Policing: America’s Ethical Protectors” with the top brass of a major law enforcement agency.

The agency is be commended for recognizing that ethical training is critical to their vision, mission, and core values.

Ethical training and development is also critical to the entire law enforcement profession, and so I am taking the liberty to share some details from my program.

By doing so, it is my fervent hope that law enforcement agencies nationwide are inspired to make on-going ethical policing initiatives that include certification programs as fundamental to their mission.

My program abstract specifies the following:

First-rate law enforcement agencies recognize that a respectable program on ethical policing stands as the hallmark for professionalism for reasons including the following:

• Ethical policing training and development is a proven educational model that strengthens operational efficiency, improves morale, and increases respectability.

• Ethics empowers the rank-and-file of an agency with leadership skills, vigilance enhancement, and collaborative expertise.

• It addresses state-of-the-art ethical principles based upon recognized issues vital to the profession. This is the most effective way of developing, attaining, and sustaining the vision, mission, and core values of the agency.

• It will strengthen agency accountability and improve community trust through principles that honor expectations, performance, and responsibility.

• Ethical training assists in limiting the agency’s liability as it demonstrates that ethical training has been conducted by an independent respected authority.

The program, already conducted for an intiative of the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association (BCPCA), Bergen County Prosecutors Office (BCPC), and Bergen County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), has an agenda that includes the following:

• Ethical policing principles

• Principles of American Policing

• Emotional Intelligence

• Cultivating a reputation of respect

• Building community trust

• Neighborhood Policing

• Sexual harassment

• Crime prevention

• Communication skills

• Mental health

• Conflict resolution

• Crisis management

Final Reflections

America’s law enforcement professionals are in critical roles of protecting and serving our communities.

We must recognize, appreciate, and support them in their challenging work. We must also realize our shared responsibility and do everything in our power to forge iron-clad police-community partnerships.

These partnerships must be built on an ethical code, essential not only to law enforcement professionals, but on every community member privileged to call America home.

Related Coverage:

21st Century Policing: America’s Ethical Guardians

Principles of American Policing

Policing Requires Ethical Protectors

NYPD Mission: Terminate, Train, Transform

Photos:

1. Police officers from various agencies listening to a boy attending the Livingston Police Department National Night Out, Aug. 7, 2013. (Vincent J. Bove)
2. Jack Hoban, president of Resolution Group International (RGI), delivers his presentation at the “21st Century Policing: America’s Ethical Guardians” conference at the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute, in Mahwah, N.J., on Oct. 4, 2016. (Vincent J. Bove)

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 250 articles, including his weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times; 35 countries, 21 languages, and growing. As a national speaker, he has addressed audiences nationwide on issues critical to America including ethical leadership, violence prevention, and crisis planning.