21st Century Policing: Ethics, Resiliency, Community Engagement

The articles titled "21st Century Policing: Issues and Response" and “21st Century American Policing Demands Ethical Leadership” by Vincent Bove, were published on March 5, 2024 and July 17, 2023 respectively through a partnership between Reawakening America LLC and the National Association of Chiefs of Police.

The articles explore key issues facing law enforcement in America and proposes solutions.

Bove draws upon personal experiences, research, and communication with law enforcement colleagues during his travels throughout Italy, China, and California.

The article emphasizes ethics, community engagement, officer well-being, and addressing the ongoing crisis of violence in the United States.

Structure and Key Points, Introduction and Theme:

·       Establishes the context: A period of travel combined with communication with Italian, Chinese, and American law enforcement.

·       States the purpose: To address policing and security concerns and offer a "roadmap" for protectors.

·       Highlights core values: Ethics, altruism, vigilance, and dedication.

·       Honoring American Sacrifices: Focuses on visits to American WWII cemeteries in Italy.

·       Emphasizes the importance of respecting military service and the price of freedom.

·       Connects this respect to one of the "Nine Principles of American Policing."

·       Uses personal journal entries to create an emotional connection.

Return to America and Engagement with Law Enforcement:

·       Details involvement with law enforcement in California, New Jersey, and New York.

·       Highlights a presentation given to the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center in California to agencies from throughout the state.

·       Lists topics covered in the presentation: American-Chinese Law Enforcement Comparisons, Law Enforcement Safety, Morale, and Emotional Survival, Community / Neighborhood Policing Concepts, Building Partnerships, School Violence, Workplace Violence, Community Violence: Issues, and Response, America’s Active Shooter Crisis

Law Enforcement and Private Security Issues:

Presents a list of news articles and reports highlighting various problems:

·       Attacks on police officers                                              

·       Police suicides

·       Corruption within law enforcement

·       Mass shootings

·       Hate crimes

·       Misconduct in police training

·       Cybersecurity deficiencies

Officer Safety/Emotional Health, Ethics, Mass Shootings: A Response

Addresses solutions to the issues identified by referencing previously published articles and presentations.

·       Police Suicides: Emphasizes awareness, prevention, and action, including the importance of recognizing warning signs and offering support.

·       Safeguarding America's Protectors: Stresses community responsibility and gratitude for law enforcement's sacrifices.

·       Response to NYPD Assault: Expresses outrage at the assault on NYPD officers in Times Square and calls for changes to bail reform laws.

·       Ethical Leadership: Argues for ethical training and certification programs for law enforcement. Outlines the benefits of such programs.

·       Active Shooter Crisis: Calls for visionary leadership, vigilance, collaboration, training, and community partnerships to prevent mass shootings.

·       Toxic Personalities: Discusses how understanding toxic personalities can help prevent violence.

·       Protecting Houses of Worship: Advocates for collaboration between law enforcement and private security to protect sacred spaces.

·       Racism Scandal: Reflections on the Holocaust as a response to racism.

·       Principles of American Policing

·       Ethical Policing Leadership: World Class Certification Program

·       American School Violence Demands Law Enforcement Leadership

·       Ethical Responsibility of Elected Officials

 Final Reflections:

·       Reiterates the need for moral leadership and community-police partnerships to combat violence and a crisis of character.

·       Points to reports highlighting violence and the character crisis.

·       Reinforces the call for a "unity of effort."

·       Themes and Potential Analysis

·       The Importance of Ethics and Character: The article consistently emphasizes the need for ethical leadership and training within law enforcement. This suggests a perception that a lack of ethics is a significant contributing factor to the problems facing policing.

·       Community Policing and Partnerships: The author highlights the importance of building trust and collaboration between the police and the community. This suggests that a more engaged and collaborative approach is seen as essential for effective policing.

·       Officer Well-being: The article directly addresses the issue of police suicides, indicating a concern for the mental and emotional health of law enforcement officers.

·       Addressing Violence: The article dedicates significant attention to the issue of violence, particularly mass shootings and school violence.

·       The Role of Leadership: Bove emphasizes the need for visionary leadership at all levels, from law enforcement agencies to elected officials. He argues that strong leadership is crucial for enacting laws and policies that support law enforcement and protect society.

·       Conservative Tone: The article leans towards conservative principles, emphasizing patriotism, respect for the military, and traditional values. The criticism of bail reform laws also reflects a conservative viewpoint.

·       Reliance on Past Work: The article relies heavily on referencing the author's previous publications.