The NYPD Candidate Assessment Division: Ethical Leadership, Morale, Influence

On February 13, 2025, it was my privilege to conduct a keynote for 225 members of the NYPD Candidate Assessment Division (CAD) at their Manhattan facility.

This division is critical to the future of the NYPD and New York City because it processes candidates to become police officers.

Recently, CAD processed a remarkable 1,000 new cadets who will ultimately serve as protectors of the city.

The New York Dominican Officers Organization (NYDO), one of the forty-one fraternal associations of the department, praised the remarkable accomplishment of the CAD.

In a February 8, 2025 Instagram post, the NYDO noted:

EXCELLENCE IN RECRUITMENT

“The dedication, expertise, and tireless efforts of the CAD have been instrumental in successfully hiring over 1,000 qualified candidates for the title of police officer. This milestone is a testament to the professionalism, thoroughness, and commitment to ensuring the safety and integrity of our communities.

“Under the leadership of Chief John Benoit [Chief of Personnel] and Inspector Terrell Anderson [CAD Leader], the division has played a crucial role in identifying individuals who embody the values and principles that our force upholds. Their collective hard work and attention to detail have resulted in a selection process that ensures the best candidates are chosen to serve and protect.

“This achievement not only reflects the division’s efficiency but also their unwavering commitment to shaping the future of law enforcement. We recognize the importance of every individual who contributed to this process, from the interview panels to the background investigators, and thank them for their dedication.

“As we move forward, we remain committed to building a police force that is diverse, skilled, and ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

“Together, we will continue ‘to foster an environment of excellence that serves the public with integrity and professionalism.’”

NYPD Inspector Terrell Anderson

The unique event was possible thanks to the visionary leadership of Inspector Terrell Anderson, and his admirable dedication to his personnel.

Inspector Anderson and I first met during my remarks for the NYPD Guardians, one of the NYPD fraternal associations.

The Guardians event was made possible through the leadership of Lieutenant Patrick T. Gordon, President of the NYPD Guardians Association.

The event was a continuation of my programs throughout the NYPD since my appointment as their Honorary Law Enforcement Motivational Speaker.

Although I shared remarks at the January 21, 2025 event, Inspector Anderson was the featured speaker. 

He shared a poignant and inspiring message that night to over 100 attendees, and his dedication to his profession was inspirational.

The NYPD is the largest police departments in the United States, with approximately 36,000 officers and 19,000 civilian employees.

It was established in 1845, and today, is responsible for policing an 8.5-million-person city, by performing public safety, law enforcement, traffic management, counterterror, and emergency response roles…

The NYPD is divided into major bureaus for enforcement, investigations, and administration. It has 78 patrol precincts with patrol officers and detectives covering the entire city. 

The department also has 12 transit districts to police the subway system and its nearly six-million daily riders.  It has nine police service areas (PSAs) to patrol the city's public housing developments, which are home to more than 400,000 residents.

Additionally, uniformed civilians serve as traffic safety agents on the city's busy streets and highways, and as school safety agents, protecting public schools and the over-a-million students who attend them. [1]

Ethical Leadership, Morale, Influence

Inspector Anderson requested that I not only address suicide prevention, but also highlight leadership, morale, and the importance of positive influence.

We both agreed that these topics were imperative.  These issues impact day-to-day interactions with NYPD colleagues, and also to candidates considering the NYPD vocation.

My keynote included the following topics as essential for American Law Enforcement:

·       American Law Enforcement: Issues and Response

·       The NYPD: Leading Through a National Crisis

·       The Wounded Protector: Using Our Wounds as a Source of Healing for Others

·       Encounter: Using Interactions as Opportunity for Positive Influence

·       Combatting the Mental Health Stigma

·       Respect: The Heart of Law Enforcement

·       Policing in America: Protect, Respect, Community

The keynote also addressed specific leadership, morale, and influence issues including the following:

·       Cultivating Self Esteem and a Culture of Respect

·       Dedication to Professional Growth by investing in Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Health

·       Ongoing Education growth with academic courses, Certifications, Hobbies and Fitness

The importance of a positive state-of-mind was presented, and the power of positive communication as expressed in this quote:

Today will never come again. Be a blessing to others. Be friendly, and express kindness.

Encourage someone. Take time to care. Be aware that your words have the power to heal and use them wisely.

Additional tips were shared to build moral including the following:

·       Respect Each Person’s Dignity                                               

·       Create a Culture of Trust

·       Maintain Person-to-Person Respectful Encounters

·       Anticipate the Needs of Colleagues, and the Candidates

·       Be Aware of How Others Perceive You /  Make Efforts to Improve

Inspiration from Abraham Lincoln

Since I often share leadership insights from the life of Abraham Lincoln in presentations and articles, I shared these with the attendees:

·       Lincoln’s credibility was his character, and this virtue was his most powerful means of persuasion.

·       The 16^th president was able to humbly accept criticism without overreacting, lashing back, or escalating a problem

·       Lincoln was unwavering in his mission, which he understood as saving the union.

Thomas Jefferson

I also shared a photo of me standing alone before Jefferson’s statue inside his Washington D.C. Memorial.  It was taken in 1957 by my mother.

I told the attendees that the moment, even as a young child, profoundly influenced me to love America.

Then, I shared this reflection on the powerful influence of Jefferson on America:

 “Leadership must have the moral courage t inflame the sentiments of a country.  Jefferson had this courage although aware that his writing would be treason, and punishable by hanging.”

DR. CONRAD BAARS: THE HEALING POWER OF AFFIRMATION

For 45 years I have been a practitioner of the famous psychiatrist Dr. Conrad Baars.

I shared a summary of his teachings with the CAD:

“Affirmation has a power that can transform lives.  It is a catalyst that ignites hope into the souls of human beings. Affirmation recognizes, appreciates, and encourages the qualities of others.

“The challenges of life can deprive individuals of the basic human need of unconditional love and appreciation. Yet, the affirmative person, the wounded healer, and for us tonight the wounded protector, inspires healing of the body, mind, spirit, and emotions.”   

Vincent J Bove

Never Will I Falter

Inspired by the honor guard of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in
Washington D.C., I asked attendees to apply this ethical creed of those who guard the tomb:

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

“And with dignity and perseverance my standard will remain perfection.”

Final Reflections

The NYPD Candidate Assessment Division’s position to positively influence the department, and people of New York City is undeniable.

The remarkable accomplishment of processing 1,000 new cadets for the police academy deserves admiration.

As they process future NYPD officers, let us honor their dedication to ethical leadership, morale, and the power of positive influence.

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 was 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 and FDNY events, roll calls, firehouses, 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 demand 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

Related Bove Published Works by the National Association of Chiefs of Police:

The NYPD: Leading Through a National Crisis © 

NYPD Employee Assistance Unit: Leading Through a National Crisis © 

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

PHOTOS:

Headshot: NYPD Inspector Terrill Andersen with his division captains, photo left of Vincent J. Bove in suit, CAD keynote, Feb. 13, 2025, Reawakening America (RALLC)

1. NYPD officers taking oath, Madison Square Garden (MSG), Oct. 31, 2024. (Credit NYPD)

2. NYPD Cadets taking oath, Jan. 29, 2025. (Credit NYPD)

3. NYPD officers and guests, MSG, Oct. 31, 2024. (Credit NYPD)

4. NYPD Cadets, Jan. 29, 2025. (Credit NYPD)

5. Vincent J. Bove in 1957, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Washington D.C. (RALLC / Marie Bove)

6. Changing of the Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery, Washington D.C.  (Credit Society of the Honor Guard Tomb of the Unknown Soldier)

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[1] https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/about/about-nypd/about-nypd-landing.page (paraphrased for brevity)