NYPD Lieutenants and Captains: Leading Through a National Crisis ©

It was my privilege to continue my initiative The NYPD: Leading Through a National Crisis © today with my presentation to the department's newly promoted lieutenants and captains.

Today’s presentation NYPD Lieutenants and Captains: Leading Through a National Crisis © occurred at the state-of-the-art police academy in Queens, New York.

It was a continuation of an unprecedented initiative which I was privileged to develop for the NYPD. This initiative led to my appointment as Honorary NYPD Law Enforcement Motivational Speaker.

As with my previous presentations with the NYPD Police Self Support Group, the Peer Assistance Group, and the newly appointed sergeants; the necessity of serving as ethical protector's was spotlighted. The concept of the wounded healer was also highlighted.

We addressed 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 NYPD leaders, 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 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 newly promoted NYPD lieutenants and captains 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.

“I pray that they listen and learn.

“Your talks are not just another class they must attend, but rather a step to survival.

“Its not about just looking to prevent suicide among cops, but about prevention of suicide for themselves as well.”

NYPD Detective Kathy Burke retd., Police Self Support Group Vice President

Destigmatizing Suicide and Mental Health

We also spent time today identifying the reality of suicide among law enforcement. This tragic reality was emphasized by a headline from California on Nov. 7, 2023 in the Los Angeles Times:

"Four Current & former L.A. Sheriff's Department employees died by suicide in a 24-hour span"

By honestly addressing the issue, our goal was to destigmatize suicide and mental health illness.

We defined stigma as follows:

 “The negative social attitude attached to a characteristic of an individual that may be regarded as a mental, physical, or social deficiency.

 “A stigma implies social disapproval and can lead unfairly to discrimination against & exclusion of the individual.”   American Association of Suicidology 

Normalizing mental health treatment and combating myths were noted as necessary corrective measures to destigmatize suicide and mental health issues.

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 and 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 lieutenants and captains 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.”

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 lieutenants and captains. 

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. 

Law enforcement leadership is pivotal for America to be reawakened as a beacon of moral leadership throughout the world. 

May the NYPD lieutenants and captains carry the torch of ethical leadership. 

Note Well: a note of thanks to former NYPD Commissioner Thomas G. Donlon, whose visionary leadership made my appointment a reality, and this initiative to assist the NYPD possible.  

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 ©

NYPD Sergeants: 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

Thank you to all who made my appointment by possible, and authorized me to train, advise and assist members of the NYPD and FDNY:

·       NYPD Police Commissioner Thomas G. Donlon for his visionary leadership and confidence in me.

·       FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker for his leadership with partnering the FDNY with the NYPD.

·       NYPD Executive Staff for their time during our meetings, and brainstorming an action plan for my initiative.

·       Chief John Benoit, Director of Personnel for his time with Commissioner Donlon and myself, and the professionalism of his staff during my appointment processing.

·       Chief Supervising Surgeon Dr. Eli Kleinman M.D. M.P.H for the conference call with him, and Dr. Lokesh Reddy M.D., Psychiatrist; and for his invitation to speak to the Police Self Support Group (PSSG) on November 14, 2024.

·       Inspector Mark Wachter, Commanding Officer of the Health and Wellness Section for developing an actionable plan on my appointment for the Police Commissioner.

·       FDNY Lieutenant / Deputy Director Andrew Kane, Bureau of Health Services / Counseling Unit for coordinating fire house visits, and my keynote to the FDNY Peer Support Group.

·       PSSG Training Coordinator Peter Pallos for his admirable dedication to assisting others, and his invitation to speak at various events.

·       NYPD legal matters, POPPA, the New York City Police Foundation, and many NYPD officials whom made my appointment possible after our PC conference room collaboration.

·       NYPD Deputy Chief Richie Taylor for his support of my appointment and dedication to his profession.

 In particular, it is imperative to express my admiration for all NYPD and FDNY personnel dedicated to protecting our communities, and to the NYPD Police Self Support Group and NYPD and FDNY Peer Support Groups for their inspiring commitment to help their colleagues.

 Photos:

1. NYPD newly appointed lieutenants and captains in attendance at Vincent J. Bove presentation, police academy, Dec. 4, 2024. (Reawakening America LLC (RALLC)
2. NYPD Police Academy Posters for Promotional Training. (Courtesy NYPD Academy / Illustration RALLC)
3. NYPD Employee Assistance Unit Poster, police academy. (Credit NYPD)
4. The Wounded Healer © PPT slide, Nov. 29, 2024  Bove presentation. (RALLC)
5. Vincent J. Bove article for the National Association of Chiefs of Police titled The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: Leadership, Honor, America. Published in The Chief of Police, Fall 2020 edition, Vol. XXXVII, Number 3
6. The Liberation Monument, Jersey City, NJ. (RALLC / Vincent J. Bove)