American Policing: Leadership, Trust, Community

Policing is critical to American society and must perpetually stand on the pillars of ethical leadership, trust, and community.

When these principles are honored, communities are safeguarded, and America’s way of life is protected from discord, lawlessness, and turmoil.

Yet, one would be naïve to miss the challenges policing in America is experiencing.

The spotlight on policing illuminates the critical need for improving police-community cohesiveness. Society will thrive when character, moral courage, and respect are catalysts for police-community partnerships.

Effective policing in America is mission critical for a harmonious society. Strengthening this noble profession through police-community unity must be a priority for the country.

Our nation deserves a commitment to police-community collaboration, underscored by principles of justice, accountability, and transparency. These qualities are essential not only to law enforcement professionals but to everyone privileged to call America home.

Restoring Trust, Building Community

In my article titled “America Policing: Restoring Trust, Building Community,” published in the Epoch Times on Oct. 20, 2016, police-community controversies are addressed.

The article underscores America’s need for a “clarion call to renew, restore, and rejuvenate police-community unity.”

The indisputable reality of negative repercussions of police-community controversies are also addressed.

The article highlights that “any breakdown of trust between community and police demands an urgent, unwavering, and complete dedication to remedy the problem.” Building trust and enhancing human contact with respect as its foundation is crystalized as mission critical.

Additionally, the article asserts that respect, the heart of policing, “must always be complemented by improving use of force standards, enhanced training and certification initiatives, transparency and accountability, and a renaissance of ethical values in policing and throughout all of society.”

NYPD Chief of Patrol: Leadership, Trust, Community

The importance of leadership, trust, and community was stressed by Chief Rodney Harrison of the NYPD at an event I attended on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018 in lower Manhattan.

Chief Harrison was the featured speaker to a standing room only audience for the First Precinct Financial Area Security Council. The council is a partnership of law enforcement, private security professionals, and community leaders dedicated to safeguarding New York City.

Prior to his appointment as Chief of Patrol, Chief Harrison has worked in every borough of New York City in his well-decorated 27-year NYPD career.

As Chief of Patrol, Chief Harrison is responsible for over 17,000 members of the NYPD Patrol Bureau. This is the largest and most visible bureau in the NYPD. It is divided into eight borough commands comprised of 77 police precincts throughout the city.

These precincts are comprised of diverse populations, and the typical NYPD precinct is the size of a midsize American city, ranging from 70,000 to 150,000 people.

During his presentation, Chief Harrison stressed that the record crime reduction trends in New York City are only possible to police-community collaboration.

He also stressed that the heart of this collaboration is a shared responsibility and bridges of trust between the police and community.

Chief Harrison also stated that shared responsibility and trust is the pillar of the extraordinary Neighborhood Policing commitment.

Neighborhood Policing is a comprehensive crime-prevention, and crime-fighting philosophy. It is built on communication and collaboration between all members of the NYPD and the community.

Essential to Neighborhood Policing, as expressed by Chief Harrison, is the Neighborhood Coordination Officers (NCOs). These are police officers who serve as liaisons with the community, and also serve as crime-fighters and problem solvers.

The NCOs work closely not only with community residents and leaders, but with local detective squads. In their leadership roles for the NYPD,

NCO’s are able to effectively respond to incidents and issues due to their iron-clad community partnerships.

Belleville Police Department: A Shining Moment

The importance of leadership, trust, and community was also the focus of another law enforcement event I attended. The event was summarized in my Sept. 10, 2017 article for the Epoch Times titled Best Time to be a Cop in America.

On Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, I had the privilege of attending the Belleville Police Department promotion ceremony at their New Jersey headquarters.

During the ceremony, a newly promoted captain, Nicholas G. Breiner, as with Chief Rodney Harrison, also represented the ideals of law enforcement. This was expressed through the introduction of his well-decorated career and through his inspirational remarks.

In short, Captain Breiner’s illustrious career includes over twenty-five years of progressively responsible security, law enforcement, and military accomplishments.

Captain Breiner served as the Commander of the Professional Standards & Training Bureau for the Belleville Police. This role led to the Belleville Police Departments accreditation by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police on March 9, 2017. The accreditation involved his service as the subject matter expert on departmental policies and procedures, and working with officers and supervisors to increase the efficiency of their organization.

Aside from law enforcement, he is also serving as a Major as well as Director of Operations for the 204th Intelligence Squadron of the New Jersey Air National Guard.

After honestly addressing contemporary policing challenges of mistrust in communities, Captain Breiner inspired his audience stating that this was the “best time to be a cop in America.”

He first graciously acknowledged family, friends, and guests. Then, he called upon the future leaders of policing to understand the privilege of their profession. Captain Breiner urged them to lead by example, serve selflessly, and build bridges of trust with the people they serve.

As with Chief Harrison, his remarks to a standing room only audience, crystallized police professionalism, dignity, and respect. Captain Breiner stressed that this is a time for law enforcement to build on the pillars of courage, innovation, dedication, and building bridges of trust.

These pillars, according to Captain Breiner, stand as the hallmarks of effective policing.

Final Reflections

These are indisputably challenging times for policing in America. Yet, as articulated both Chief Harrison and Captain Breiner, it is the time for leadership, trust, and community.

In conclusion, I would humbly refer readers to my article titled “Principles of American Policing,” published in the May 1, 2015 edition of the Epoch Times.

The first principle states that “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.”

America will be on the path of a reawakening when this principle, so alive by NYPD’s Neighborhood Policing commitment, and at the Belleville Police Department’s promotion ceremony, is imitated nationwide. We must all be dedicated to ethical leadership, building trust, and a shared responsibility to safeguard communities across America.

Photos

1. NYPD officers exemplifying Neighborhood Policing during a visit to a community store. (Courtesy NYPD)
2. NYPD Chief of Patrol Rodney Harrison speaks to 75th Precinct officers during roll call, Apr.9, 2018, Brooklyn, New York. (Courtesy NYPD)
3. Captain Nick Breiner, Belleville PD promotion ceremony, Aug. 31, 2017, Belleville, New Jersey. (Vincent J. Bove)

Note Well:

Twitter: vincentjbove

Vincent’s Newest Book: Reawakening America

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 275 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.

Related Coverage:

American Policing: Restoring Trust, Building Community

Best Time to Be a Cop in America

Principles of American Policing

9/11 Eternally Summons Compassion, Character, Community

As one travels throughout American communities, we are reminded of the tragic loss of life on 9/11 through plaques, monuments, and memorials.

These tributes are set in bronze, marble, and stone throughout our train stations, shopping malls, workplaces, and community centers.

They are sacramental reminders of lives gone too soon, whose memories must be eternally engraved into our hearts and souls.
America will perpetually honor those who perished on 9/11, and we must be passionately dedicated to transforming our nation, as a fitting tribute to their memory.

Eternal Remembrance

America will pause again on Patriot Day, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018 to reverently observe the anniversary of 9/11.

This sacrosanct anniversary reminds us of a day that changed the soul of America forever.

It is a day to honor the fallen, their loved ones, and all the heroes who served and protected, and who continue to serve our nation.

The lost lives of our beloved families, friends, community members, and colleagues will not be in vain.

These victims from the World Trade Center, Flight 11, Flight 175, Flight 77, Flight 93, and the Pentagon will continue to keep the eternal flame of patriotism alive in our hearts.

America will be stronger and renewed through the fire of devotion burning in our hearts, homes, communities, workplaces, schools, churches, synagogues, and mosques.

In each of these places, America will pray for the repose of the souls of all who were lost on 9/11, and we will stand tall to honor our nation.

As we solemnly honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost on that fateful day, let us remain vigilant with protecting our communities and strengthening our homeland. Our vigilance is a tribute to all who perished, so their lives may not be in vain.

Honoring 9/11 Heroes

Each 9/11 commemoration is a time to pause and honor countless heroes who protected others and served victims through inestimable acts of selflessness, compassion, and mercy.

These heroes, all who are known by the eyes of heaven, will certainly be rewarded there by their sacrifices, as they represent the heart of America. Those who served on 9/11 and afterwards with acts of kindness, sacrifice, and generosity represent the best of all of us.

Our nation will forever honor all who perished on 9/11, and all who served, as well as those who continue to serve including our military. Those tirelessly dedicated to serving our communities, colleagues, and country deserve our greatest respect.

Honoring the 9/11 fallen, we must dedicate ourselves to peace in communities across America.

Our efforts must be practical with developing violence prevention initiatives especially through enhancing police-community collaboration.

Yet, our efforts must also be profoundly spiritual, worshiping as community, and praying from our hearts.

We must stand above the anguish of hearts broken by violence, and fill our lives with deeds of faith, hope, and charity.

Emergency Workers on 9/11

Each person lost on 9/11 was a life gone too soon.

The 9/11 fallen includes over 400 emergency workers who were killed on the day of the attack.

These heroes include the following:

• 343 firefighters (including a chaplain and two paramedics) representing the New York City Fire Department (FDNY)
• 37 police officers of the Port Authority Police Department (PAPD)
• 23 police officers of New York City Police Department (NYPD)
• 8 emergency medical technicians and paramedics

Although 9/11 changed our mindset with security, one thing will remain forever, our esteem for all who protect and serve, especially those who have offered the ultimate sacrifice in serving others.

One of these first responders was a Franciscan priest, Father Mychal F. Judge, killed by fallen debris while ministering to a fallen firefighter.

Father Judge, from St. Francis of Assisi Church on West 31st Street in Manhattan, was a chaplain for the FDNY.

A photo of Father Judge, being carried away from the rubble on 9/11 by firefighters, police officers, and first responders, remains one of the tragedies most iconic photos.

NYPD Chief Honors the Fallen

On September 7, 2018, NYPD Chief of Department Terence A. Monahan, delivered an inspirational speech at the Emerald Society Pipes & Drums 9/11 Memorial. Chief Monahan’s remarks crystallize the bravery, sacrifice, and honor of those who answered the call on 9/11 and included the following:

“In the aftermath of 9/11, in the aftermath of such a profound loss, a memorial was formalized by the band (Emerald Pipes & Drums) in what we have today. It became a vital part of the NYPD’s solemn vow to never forget.

“Today, we honor the twenty-three New York City police officers, the thirty-seven members of the Port Authority Police Department, and a special agent of the FBI that we lost on September 11, 2001.

“These men and women, these cops did not flinch in spite of the clear danger. Only steps from here they bravely put the safety of others before their own, they answered the call. And while their oath compelled them to go, their heart made them want to go. It’s who they were.

“In the NYPD, we say fidelis ad mortem, faithful unto death. All of the officers we honor here today exemplify this. Their legacy will live on and inspire us in all we do.

“Sadly, our losses did not end on 9/11. In the aftermath of the attacks, first responders labored on the burning pile of toxic waste at ground zero and later at the land fill. In the 17 years since that date, the NYPD has lost 156 members from illnesses contracted during the rescue and recovery efforts, and that number continues to grow.

“Their sacrifice is part of an enduring legacy, a testament to the unwavering commitment of the men and women in blue, to get the job done no matter what the cost.”

Final Reflections

During the solemn remembrances of 9/11 in communities, workplaces, houses of worship, and schools throughout America, let us cling to hope as we honor the fallen.

America must have hope and continue to stand tall as a nation of character, compassion, and courage.

These virtues represent the heart of America, and will lead us to our rightful destiny as a light of goodness for the world.

Related Coverage:

Port Authority Police Department: Honor, Leadership, Protecting America

NYPD Leaders Exemplify Courtesy, Professionalism, Respect

Honoring Our Fallen Police, Firefighters, Military

Note Well:

Twitter: vincentjbove

Vincent’s Newest Book: Reawakening America

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 275 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. A white rose placed at at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City, Sept. 15, 2015. (Vincent J. Bove)

2. A mortally injured Father Mychal F. Judge, O.F.M., is carried out of the World Trade Center by first responders, including Bill Cosgrove (in white shirt). Cosgrove says, "everybody you see in that picture was saved" from the North Tower's collapse, moments later. (Photo Credit: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters /Landov)