NYPD Sergeants: Leading Through a National Crisis ©

It was my privilege to continue my initiative The NYPD: Leading Through a National Crisis © on November 29, 2024 with my presentation to the department's 75 newly promoted sergeants.

Today’s presentation was titled NYPD Sergeants: Leading Through a National Crisis ©. It took place at their state-of-the-art police academy in Queens, New York.

The presentation emphasized the necessity of serving as ethical protector's, and understanding the concept of the wounded healer.

We spotlighted topics critical to American law enforcement. These are principled leadership, building morale, emotional resilience, and suicide prevention.

It was truly an honor to serve these outstanding men and women, and I am inspired by their commitment to protect and serve. Before continuing, a note of appreciation to NYPD Inspector Mark Wachter, Commanding Officer of the Health and Wellness Section for his invitation to speak, and the hospitality of all at the police academy.

Mental Health Resources for NYPD Members

Challenging Times for American Law Enforcement

My presentation began by addressing the following:

·    The challenging times for law enforcement throughout America, with alarming levels of stress, wounded morale, senseless acts of violence, and suicide.

·    The NYPD is not immune to these challenges. Each of us must be catalysts of change to ignite a culture of respect, affirmation, and gratitude.

·    The necessity of principled leadership, morale enhancement, emotional resilience, and suicide prevention.

·    The paramount mandate of inspiring ethical protectors; personified by character, empathy, and compassion for others.

·     A laser-focused goal of inspiring a culture that values the physical, spiritual, and mental well-being of every member of the NYPD.

The Wounded Healer

My remarks continued with my commentary on the wisdom from the 1979 book The Wounded Healer© by Henri Nouwen. 

The commentary addressed the following excerpts (some of which are paraphrased):

·    “When our wounds cease to be a source of shame, and become a source of healing, we have become wounded healers.”

·    “Nobody escapes being wounded. We are all wounded people, whether physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually.”

·    “Our service will not be perceived as authentic, unless it comes from a heart wounded by the suffering we encounter in others.”

·    “The main question is not ‘How can we hide our wounds?’ so we don’t have to be embarrassed, but ‘How can we put our woundedness in the service of others?”

·    “To enter into solidarity with a suffering person does not mean that we have to talk with that person about our own suffering.  We must be sympathetic listeners as speaking about our own pain is seldom helpful for someone who is in pain.”

·    “A wounded healer is someone who can listen [and empathize] to a person in pain without having to speak about his or her own wounds.”

·    “When we have experienced pain, we can listen with great attentiveness and compassion to another in pain without spotlighting our own wounds.”

·    “Mostly, it is better not to direct a suffering person’s attention to ourselves.  We have to trust that our own damaged wounds will allow us to listen to others with our whole being.  The empathetic listening leads to healing."

The presentation focused on empowering the NYPD sergeants to be ethical protectors and wounded healers. 

These qualities are personified by character, empathy, and compassion for others.

My goal is to provide the tools to better manage stress and emotional challenges, inherent not only with the NYPD, but law enforcement nationwide.

Ethical Protectors / Wounded Healers Approach

As a practitioner for over 40 years of the world-renowned psychiatrist, Dr. Conrad Baars, I highlighted his pedagogy which includes the following:

·    Only affirmed individuals, not necessarily mental health doctors or therapists, with sound emotional fortitude can be catalysts of compassion and healing.

·    These individuals instill healing for unaffirmed personalities an depravation disorders.

·    Affirmation provides a transformative power by recognizing, appreciating, and igniting qualities of individuals who will heal and thrive.

·    This is not a technique or certification.  Rather, it is only possible by those who are emotionally solid and affirmed.

The Sentinel of the Unknown Soldier

Inspired by the honor guard of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., I encouraged the sergeants to apply these words from the sentinels creed to their NYPD profession:

“My dedication to this sacred duty is total and wholehearted. In the responsibility bestowed upon me, never will I falter.”

Credos of the NYPD Sergeant

“There is no shortage of credos by which NYPD Sergeants should live and work, but most important of all is to lead by example, be consistent and fair, and let the Officers who depend on you for guidance know that you are as available to them as they are accountable to you.”  SBA NYPD

Final Reflections: The Liberation Monument

Surrounded by the significance of Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty and the New York skyline is the Liberation Monument in Liberty View Park, Jersey City, N.J.

Designed by sculptor Nathan Rapaport, this inspirational statue depicts a World War II American soldier carrying a survivor from a concentration camp. 

This image moves the soul to reflect on the values of compassion, character and courage.

A photo of this magnificent monument was shared with the NYPD Sergeants. 

It was my sincere hope to inspire them to connect with the great Americans of our history, and uphold their legacy through their privileged NYPD positions. 

May the NYPD Sergeants carry the torch of ethical leadership so America is reawakened as a beacon of moral leadership throughout the world.

Related Bove Published Works from the NACOP:

·       21st Century Policing: Issues and Response                           

·       21st Century American Policing Demands Ethical Leadership

·       Police Suicides: Awareness, Compassion, Action

·       Safeguarding America’s Protectors: A Community Responsibility

·       America’s Law Enforcement Sacrifices Demand Eternal Gratitude

·       Igniting 21st Century Ethical Policing: Understanding the Profession

     Read: The NYPD: Leading Through a National Crisis ©
                   
NYPD Employee Assistance Unit: Leading Through a National Crisis ©

PS:  NYPD Police Self Support Group: Respect, Honor, Resiliency

About Vincent

Vincent J. Bove is a national speaker, author, and confidant on issues critical to America with 325 published works.

His most recent of four books are Reawakening America © and Listen to Their Cries.© 

Bove is recipient of the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award, former confidant of players from two world-champion New York Yankee teams, and served as spokesperson for a coalition of Virginia Tech tragedy victim's families. 

He has been appointed Honorary Law Enforcement Motivational Speaker by the NYPD.  In this role he addresses ethical leadership, building morale, emotional resiliency, and suicide prevention at NYPD events, roll calls, and in published works.

Bove has been an author for the National Association of Chiefs of Police for 15 years. He has over 60 published works, and an unprecedented 18 cover stories for their magazine.

Bove served the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association for 20 consecutive years as liaison and chairperson on policing leadership, violence prevention, and public safety issues.

He conducted Leadership Principles: Crisis Planning, Community Partnerships, Violence Prevention © keynotes to safeguard New York City at sites including:

·       Museums hosted by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

·       Corporations hosted by The New York Stock Exchange

·       Hospitals hosted by Rockefeller University

·       Properties hosted by The Union Club of New York

·       Universities hosted by Columbia University, the New York Athletic Club and Fordham University.

Bove has conducted extensive leadership presentations for the NYPD, FBI, the United States Military Academy, law enforcement, educators, security professionals, and students nationwide. vincentbove.com

“We must all serve as catalysts to protect our workplaces, schools, communities, public spaces, houses of worship, and one another. 

Public safety demands leadership, vigilance, and collaboration.  

"Security and personal safety demands comprehensive enhancements, on-going training, effective response to warning signs, and building bridges with law enforcement, private security, and every member of the community.”  Vincent J Bove

 Photos:

1. NYPD newly appointed 75 sergeants during Nov. 2024 group photo during Vincent J. Bove presentation at police academy, Nov. 29, 2024 (Courtesy RALLC)
2. New NYPD sergeants, police academy class, Nov. 29, 2024. (RALLC / Vincent J. Bove)
3. NYPD Employee Assistance Unit Poster, police academy. (Credit NYPD)
4. The Wounded Healer© PPT slide, Nov. 29, 2024  Bove presentation.
5. The Liberation Monument, Jersey City, NJ. (RALLC / Vincent J. Bove)