The NYPD Police Self Support Group: To Survive and to Serve
The Police Self Support Group (PSSG) is an exclusive fraternal
group of the NYPD serving the special needs of police officers with serious
line-of-duty injuries, or life-threatening illnesses.
My appointment by the NYPD began seven months ago as the Honorary Law Enforcement Motivational Speaker with my first presentation to the PSSG.
The presentation was memorialized in my article for the National Association of Chiefs of Police.
Excerpt: Principled Leadership, Morale, Resilience, Suicide
Prevention ©
“On Thursday, November 14, 2024, I was the privileged guest
speaker for the NYPD Medical Division at their Corona, Queens facility.
“My remarks were titled The NYPD: Leading Through a National
Crisis ©.
“The favorable feedback to my remarks led to the privileged
appointment by the Police Commissioner, in collaboration with numerous of his
NYPD colleagues, of Honorary Law Enforcement Motivational Speaker.
“My remarks included the following:
“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 sharing my commentary on the wisdom from the 1979 book titled The Wounded Healer © by Henri Nouwen.
The commentary included the following excerpts (some 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 by 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 wounds will allow us to listen to others with our whole
being. The empathetic listening leads to
healing.
“On November 14, The
Police Self Support Group had the honor of meeting Vincent J. Bove who
represented the Police Commissioner.
“It was truly
impressive and uplifting to have someone speak to us, and chat individually
before and after his presentation, who supports our program and methodology.
“Vincent’s presentation
focused on the wounded healer, and he encouraged us to use our experiences to
help others to heal.
“We are confident that our program can serve as a national model on police helping one another.
We are hopeful that with individuals like Vincent in our corner, and others who support the NYPD, we will be more effective in our dedication to assist our police family, and our communities.”
Peter Pallos, Training Coordinator (PSSG), 23 years with the group.
“It was great seeing Peter Pallos, CISM/CIT and Vincent J. Bove last night. Having practiced in the field of forensic psychology for 47 years and obtaining three masters degrees and a Columbia university PHD, I can state unequivocally that both of these men are on my short list of heroes.”
Dr. Stephen Wakschal
FINAL REFLECTION
Inspired by the honor guard of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C., I ask you to apply these words from the Sentinel’s creed, from those who guard the tomb.
This sacred place holds our heroes who died in service of America.
The message from their creed applies to each of us; in our noble, necessary, and admirable work to protect society:
“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.”
Let us continue our mission as it is honorable and necessary for our communities, and always remember that each of you is appreciated and admired.
NOTE WELL: 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 is often shared with my audiences.
It is my sincere hope to inspire them to connect with the great Americans of our history, and uphold their legacy through their privileged profession as members of the NYPD.
Leadership is pivotal for our NYPD personnel, and all our first responders. Our public servants are a national treasure.
We must be fully dedicated and committed to assisting each of them, and one another.
This will lead to America's rightful destiny as a beacon of moral leadership for the world.
NOTE WELL: It has been my privilege to collaborate with the Columbia Lighthouse Project (CLP)
over the last two months, and to use their emotional resiliency and suicide prevention app on my phone.
During this time, I have also distributed their suicide awareness and prevention card to NYPD personnel.
This imperative technology, as documented in my Principles of American Policing for the NACOP (Cover Story / Summer 2015), is essential to benefit the emotional resiliency of the NYPD, and law enforcement throughout America.
Principle of America Policing No. Five is as follows:
“Police deserve the latest and most effective technology to protect themselves and the public."
ABOUT VINCENT
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.
In 2024, Bove 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 16 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
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:
1. NYPD PSSG Collage, May 22, 2025. Credit: Reawakening America LLC (RALLC)
2. NYPD PSSG Info Card. Credit: NYPD PSSG
3. The NACOP article titled The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Vincent J. Bove. (NACOP)
4. The Liberation Monument, Jersey City, NJ. (RALLC)
5. Principles of America Policing, Cover Story by Vincent J. Bove for the NACOP, Summer 2015, also published numerous times since 2015 in The Sentinel and NACOP articles.
6. Bove addresses NYPD TD 4 roll call, one of five roll calls on May 7, 2025. Credit: Lieutenant John Froehlich, NYPD TD 4 at Union Square Park, NYC.
Labels: Education, Events, Law Enforcement, Leadership, Mental Health, NYPD, Policing, Presentations
posted by Vincent J. Bove, CPP at 3:42 PM
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