The NYPD Columbia Association: Ethical Leadership, Patriotism, Collaboration

Summary and breakdown of the NYPD Columbia Association Presentation Keynote of Vincent J. Bove on March 25, 2025. The summary incorporates details and emphasizes key takeaways.

The event took place at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 275 North 8th Street, Brooklyn, in the confines of the 94th NYPD precinct. There were 175 attendees.

The Bove keynote was made possible thanks to the leadership of the association president, NYPD Lieutenant Anthony C. Burgio.

A special note of thanks for the kind introduction to Lieutenant Burgio by Joseph Cirillo, NYPD retd.

Columbia Association Mission Statement

·       To develop an understanding and appreciation of the contributions made by Italians and Italian-Americans toward the development of our great nation

·       To increase our knowledge and understanding of the cultural heritage that unites us all

·       To provide a close union for it’s members, to be part of an ethnic group of professional law enforcement officers who cherish the spirit of brotherhood and remembrance of their roots

·       To promote, practice and cherish the spirit of brotherhood among people irrespective of race, creed or religion

OVERALL THEME: The presentation weaved together the speaker's personal journey (travel, career, and spiritual reflection) to deliver a message of ethical policing, emotional resilience, suicide prevention and leadership to the NYPD Columbia Association. 

The keynote underscored the importance of patriotism, remembering American military sacrifices, cultivating inner strength ("Wounded Healer/Protector"), and the power of affirmation to transform lives.

KEY ELEMENTS AND TOPICS:

• Personal Journey (2023-2024):

  • Italy:

    • Scenic: Turin, Milan, Lake Como, Cinque Terra, Capri, Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, Positano, Assisi, Rome. Places for encountering people and experiencing the beauty of Italy.

    • Historical/Sacred: City of Don Bosco, Amalfi Coast Excursions, Tomb of Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Peter's Basilica, The Vatican, centuries-old monasteries.

    • WWII Cemeteries: Florence American Cemetery (Impruneta) and Sicily-Rome American Cemetery (Nettuno). Presented as solemn pilgrimages to honor American sacrifices. Details on the number of buried and missing are provided to emphasize the scale of the loss.

    • Purpose: Documented in Bove Article titled 21st Century Policing: Issues and Response

  • China (Chengdu): A stark contrast used to highlight the freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.

  • California (Irvine): Delivered a keynote at the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center after 4 LA Sheriff Employees died by suicide. The event was made possible thanks to the collaboration with U.S. Marshall SDNY Ralph Sozio and NYPD Detective John Lunt, liaison for the department in California. Topics addressed by Bove were as follows:

    • Chinese American Law Enforcement Comparisons

    • Emotional Fortitude

    • Active Shooter Crisis

    • Suicide Awareness and Prevention

    • The Ethical Protector and Wounded Healer Concept

• Ethical Policing & Leadership:

  

  • Sir Robert Peel's Principles: Recognized as a foundation, but adapted for modern "American
    Policing."

  • Principles of American Policing / Cover Story for the National Association of Chiefs of Police by Vincent J. Bove: Patriotism is mission-critical. Explicit requirement to honor America, the flag, and military personnel at every event.

  • The Ethical Protector: A core identity – ensures the safety of the community through the presence and actions of the NYPD, and all protectors.

  • The Liberation Monument (Jersey City): Presented as a symbol of character, courage, and compassion, depicting an American GI carrying a concentration camp survivor.

  • The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Arlington): A powerful symbol of selfless service and the ultimate sacrifice.

  • Sentinels at Arlington: Their ethical creed (dedication, unwavering responsibility, striving for perfection) is offered as a model for NYPD officers.

• Emotional Well-being, Resilience, and Suicide Prevention:

  • LA Sheriff's Department Suicides: Highlighted as a catalyst for action and emphasizing the urgency of mental health support.

  • U.S. Marshall Ralph Sozio & Detective John Lunt: Instrumental in organizing the event focused on suicide awareness.

  • Commissioner Thomas Donlon: Recognizing the commissioner’s leadership, focused on respect, empathy, and compassion, and his inviting Bove to address issues within the NYPD.

  • "Wounded Healer/Protector" Concept: Central theme. Acknowledging and processing personal wounds allows for greater empathy, authenticity, and effectiveness in helping others.

• The Wounded Healer/Protector Quotes (Dr. Henri Nouwen): Emphasized these quotes as foundational to the presentation's message. These quotes speak to:

  • Turning wounds into sources of healing.

  • The universality of suffering.

  • Authenticity in service.

  • The importance of empathetic listening.

• The Healing Power of Affirmation (Dr. Conrad Baars)

  • The transformative power of affirmation.

  • Affirmation recognizes, appreciates, and encourages the qualities of others.

  • Basic need of unconditional love and appreciation.

  • Affirmation inspires healing of the body, mind, spirit, and emotions.

• NYPD Engagement and Bove Meetings prior to appointment as the NYPD Law Enforcement Motivational Speaker:

  • Meetings with NYPD executive staff, Chief of Personnel, numerous chiefs, inspectors, Legal, EAU, POPPA, and medical personnel to inspire support for the Bove initiative.

  • Bove presentation to the Police Self-Support Group as requested by the NYPD Chief Supervising Surgeon after a conference call with him and the NYPD Chief Psychiatrist.

  • Bove Presentations to promotion classes (Captains, Lieutenants, Sergeants), fraternal associations, the Candidate Assessment Division, precinct roll calls, and firehouses.

  • Publication of articles in national police publications by Bove.

  • Designation as NYPD Honorary Law Enforcement Motivational Speaker.

• Challenges with Protectors Nationwide: Not only with the NYPD, but law enforcement and first responders nationwide - with principled leadership, vigilance and collaboration, a reawakening will take place

June 21, 2023: Florence American WWII Cemetery

“In the afternoon, we traveled from Florence, Italy to the Florence American WWII Cemetery, 7 ½ miles south in Impruneta to honor American heroes from World War II.

“On these sacred grounds lie 4,393 Americans.

“There is also a large sculptured figure on site titled ‘The Spirit of Peace’ and tablets of 1,409 have their names engraved upon it as missing in action.

“While walking these hallowed grounds, we felt mystically connected these sacred souls, a deeper appreciation of America, and profoundly aware of the price of freedom.”

July 1, 2023: Sicily-Rome American Cemetery

“Today we traveled 1.5 hours by train from Rome to the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in the town of Nettuno.

“We then walked 25 minutes from the station to the cemetery, morally obligated as Americans to visit both resting places for our World War II heroes.

“These visitations were enriching spiritual experiences forever engraved into our souls.

“Here in Nettuno is the sacred burial ground of 7,858 Americans. Also, in the on-site chapel an additional 3,095 names are engraved into stone. These are the missing in action, lost at sea, or buried at sea.

“In my article for The Chief of Police I memorialized this experience. Honoring American military sacrifices is critical for law enforcement and all privileged to call America their home.  It is our responsibility to honor this principle.

SUMMARY and Takeaways:

This presentation is a call to action for NYPD officers to embrace a holistic approach to policing that encompasses:

• Ethical Conduct: Guided by American values, a commitment to service, and a dedication to protecting everyone.

• Emotional Strength: Recognizing the impact of trauma and seeking support to become "Wounded Healers/Protectors."

• Patriotism: Honoring the sacrifices of those who came before and defending the freedoms that define America.

• Collaboration: To reawaken protectors nationwide by serving as a national model of 21st Century Policing

The Bove keynote was not a simple lecture on policy or procedure. It was an inspirational message designed to connect with officers on a personal and emotional level. 

The speaker leverages his experiences, the words of respected thinkers, and powerful symbols to encourage officers to be their best selves, both professionally and personally. 

He emphasizes leadership, vigilance, and collaboration to awaken protectors nationwide, and inspire them to be light in the darkness of apathy, violence, and division.

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

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. Florence American Cemetery, Impruneta, Italy, June 21, 2023, Vincent and Lily Bove. (Courtesy Reawakening America LLC (RALLC)

2. NYPD Columbia Association event, March 25, 2025, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Brooklyn, NY. Illustration by RALLC.

3. Vincent J. Bove keynote, March 25, 2025 for the NYPD Columbia Association. (Credit NYPD Columbia Association)