21st Century American Policing Demands Ethical Leadership

Indisputably, these are remarkably challenging times for policing, and the eyes not only of the nation, but of the world are upon us.

Let us reflect on issues, provide solutions, and enhance our dedication to lives of moral courage.

NYPD Graduation: A Reflection

First, an observation from the April 24, 2023 graduation of the newest NYPD officers.

The graduation of over 500 recruits took place in New York City at Madison Square Garden.

Prior to graduating, the recruits were dressed impeccably with new uniforms, complete with immaculate white dress gloves.

As memorialized on the NYPD Police Academy Twitter page, one of their instructors thunderously shared an inspirational reminder, boldly proclaiming the following to all:

“You are a servant to the people that are out there, do you understand me.”

The riveting response of the recruits, who would become the newest ethical protectors of the NYPD in a matter of minutes, was a resounding “Yes Sir.”

The instructor continued, “You are about to become police officers, you are going to act like it.” This direct, no-nonsense pronouncement reminded all to serve.  For all embarking on the next phase of their profession, it was emphatic.  Their vocation demands high ethical standards, and an unwavering commitment, fortitude, and discipline.

As we reflect on his words of wisdom, we proceed with reflections that include an anthology of excerpts from articles in The Chief of Police.

It is my hope that these thoughts encourage law enforcement to remember the dignity of their profession. This profession is vital, not only to their communities, but to all of America. 

Let Us Pause

“This year, the names of 556 fallen officers will be added to the Memorial. 556 lives cut short as they risked their lives, working to make things safer for the community and people that they served. It’s a solemn reminder to the nation that each day is fragile. Not a moment goes by where we forget our brave men and women in blue for the ultimate sacrifice they have given. Their memory lives on.” [1]

Marcia Ferranto, CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

 The horrific acts of violence against police demands our solemn pause and actions.

Protecting our communities is a shared responsibility. The police and the community must be one and inseparable. We must be fully dedicated, without compromise, to protecting one another. Problems ignite and fester whenever the breakdown between the police and community occurs.

Every law enforcement member who died protecting and serving our communities deserves America’s eternal gratitude, remembrance, and honor.

We must also be forever mindful of their families and support them with unwavering compassion, respect, and dignity.

Let us honor them and forever hold their families, friends, and law enforcement colleagues in our prayers, and take every action necessary to reawaken the nation.

Some thoughts deserving reflection, resolve, and response:

"This past year has been one of the most dangerous years for law enforcement in recent history due to the increase of violence directed towards law enforcement officers as well as the nationwide crime crisis, which has seen criminals emboldened by the failed policies of pandering prosecutors and cynical politicians.”

"If these violent criminals are willing to commit brazen acts of violence against the men and women of law enforcement, we can't begin to fathom what heinous acts they are willing to commit against law-abiding citizens.

As crime rates continue to rise, more citizens in this country are justifiably living in fear, constantly wondering if they too will become a victim. Law-abiding citizens saw the real-life consequences of what happens when elected officials embrace pro-criminal, revolving-door policies and make decisions that put the interests of violent offenders ahead of public safety. These decisions—failures to prosecute violent offenders for their crimes or, even worse, releasing repeat offenders arrested for crimes who show a propensity for escalation of violence—make our communities less safe. These rogue prosecutors are putting innocent lives at risk. When there are no consequences for breaking the law, more people will break the law and crime will increase.

“I call on Americans in every community across the country to join us in taking a stand—to say, ‘Enough is Enough!’ Truthfully, the violence against those sworn to serve and protect is beyond unacceptable; it’s a stain on our society, and it must end. It is incumbent upon our elected officials and community leaders to stand up, support our heroes, and speak out against the violence against law enforcement officers.” [2]

Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police

Principles of American Policing

Although Sir Robert Peel’s Nine Policing Principles are timeless, contemporary issues demand principles complementing tradition while respecting current realities.

The Principles of American Policing has been formulated on the foundation of professionalism to enhance dialogue, communication, and trust between police and communities:

1.  Being pro-police and pro-community is inseparable, indefatigable, and preeminent. Police must at all times remain fully committed to protecting and serving the public through character, ethics, and leadership that is total and whole-hearted. Police must be guided by a moral compass that honors the community, Constitution, and Bill of Rights.

2.  Respect must be the heart of the police and it must be unwavering for the profession, colleagues, and community. Respect can only be earned through integrity, accountability, and transparency. These qualities build trust, legitimacy, and collaboration.

3.  Police deserve that every level of government provide the resources necessary for proper police staffing, training, and community service.

4.  Initiatives enhancing police-community relations must continually be implemented and include citizen appreciation events, National Night Out, neighborhood block watches, and citizen police academies. Programs for youth, the future of the nation, are vital. These include school resource officers, youth police academies, character education, and mentoring initiatives.

5.  Police deserve the latest and most effective technology to protect themselves and the public.

6.  Moral courage must be encouraged, as police must be empowered to make decisions that are legal, ethical, and moral.

7.  Patriotism is mission-critical. Honoring America, our flag, and our military personnel must be part and parcel of the police officer’s creed and take place at every event.

8.  Police interventions must always be proportional, constitutional, and uphold quality of life issues deserved by all communities.

9.  Police require a discerning recruitment process, education credentials, and ongoing training/certifications on issues including constitutional policing, diversity, civil rights, race-relations, violence prevention, community policing, crisis management, ethics, leadership, gangs, private security, and use of force.

Ethical Policing Leadership: World Class Certification Program

Along with protecting those who protect us, we must also ensure they have world class training as

noted in the third principle of American Policing.

Therefore, “21st Century Policing: America’s Ethical Protectors” is a necessity for law enforcement.

Ethical training, development, and certification is critical to the entire law enforcement profession.

Law enforcement agencies nationwide require on-going ethical policing certification programs fundamental to their mission.

Here are some pillars of a program spotlighting ethical policing as the hallmark for professionalism.  Reasons include the following:

·         Ethical policing certification is a proven educational model that strengthens operational efficiency, improves morale, and increases respectability.

·         Ethics empowers the rank-and-file of an agency with leadership skills, vigilance enhancement, and collaborative expertise.

Ethical Policing addresses state-of-the-art ethical principles based upon recognized issues vital to the profession. This is the most effective way of developing, attaining, and sustaining the vision, mission, and core values of the agency.

·         Ethical Policing strengthens agency accountability, and improves community trust through principles enhancing expectations, performance, and responsibility.

·         Ethical certification assists in limiting the agency’s liability as it demonstrates that ethical training has been conducted by an independent respected authority.

This program, which I developed and presented for a partnership of the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association, Bergen County Prosecutors Office, and Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, has an agenda including the following:

·         Ethical policing principles

·         Principles of American Policing

·         Emotional Intelligence

·         Cultivating a reputation of respect

·         Building community trust

·         Neighborhood Policing

·         Sexual harassment

·         Crime prevention

·         Communication skills

·         Mental health and Officer Safety

·         Conflict resolution

·         Crisis management

It has also been my honor to present versions of this program for the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Air Force, and the National Conference on Ethics in America at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Parenthetically, there are also opportunities that should be made available by law enforcement for the community relative to ethical certifications and community trust.

These initiatives fall under Community Policing, or as the NYPD refers to it, with some philosophical variation, Neighborhood Policing. 

One such community policing initiative is a Citizen Police Academy, one of which I myself completed 25 years ago with the Teaneck, New Jersey Citizens Police Academy.

These bridge builders allow citizens and police to forge trust, while understanding and enhancing an understanding of the criminal justice system, and our shared responsibility.

American School Violence Demands Law Enforcement Leadership

It is irrefutable that our school violence crisis demands law enforcement leadership.

Recently, a comprehensive report titled America’s School Violence Crisis: A Special Report, School Violence: Toxic Personalities, Warning Signs, Countermeasures was published by The Chief of Police.

Although an understanding of the entire report is essential, this excerpt is directly associated with law enforcement responsibilities:

School resource officers (SRO’s): one of the most important school violence prevention, character education, and community policing initiatives. But to be most effective, the SRO program demands the most qualified, trained, certified, and dedicated police professionals available.

Qualified back-up officers must be available of assigned SRO’s for the program to have credibility.

Additionally, school resource officers should study the following documents:

·      America’s School Violence Crisis: A Special Report, School Violence: Toxic Personalities, Warning Signs, Countermeasures

·      Early Warning Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools

·      Practical Information on Crisis Planning: A Guide for Safe Schools and Communities

·      The Final Report And Findings Of The Safe School Initiative: Implications For The Prevention Of School Attacks In The United States

·      Threat Assessment in Schools: A Guide to Managing Threatening Situations and To Creating Safe School Climates

·      Averting Targeted School Violence, A U.S. Secret Service Analysis of Plots against Schools

Ethical Responsibility of Elected Officials

We must also demand that our elected officials, whom we have entrusted with critical leadership roles, provide ethical leadership to enact laws to support law enforcement and protect society.

Sensible laws are required, without the continuous lame excuses, outlandish interpretations of the Second Amendment and egregious misunderstandings of “well-regulated.”

Individuals who have sinister intentions, or who are not mentally qualified, must never be enabled to purchase weapons. Comprehensive background checks, training, certifications, and licensing is a community responsibility.

Our elected officials must also provide the leadership to keep dangerous individuals in jails.

"What we got to do, if we really want to see homicides go down, is keep bad guys with guns in jail. Because when they're in jail, they can't be in communities shooting people. So when people talk about what are we going to do different, or what we should do different, what we need to do different, that’s the thing that we need to do different.

"We need to keep violent people in jail. Right now, the average homicide suspect has been arrested eleven times prior to them committing a homicide…That is a problem. That is a problem." 

Robert J. Contee III, former Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department.

 Final Reflections

Recently, The Chief of Police published America’s Head on Collision: A Culture of Violence and Crisis of Character.

The article pinpoints the horrific violence and character crisis, exemplified by active shooter incidents and corruption, undermining the moral compass of the nation.

Additionally, the FBI recently released Active Shooter Incidents in the United States in 2022.  This document further highlights our violent society, designating 50 shootings in the 2022 as active shooter incidents.

These glaringly illustrated signs of the times must not define America.  We must turn this venomous tide with the antidote of moral leadership, building bridges of trust and respect between the community and police. 

These bridges are America’s only hope, and we must be fully committed to a unity of effort. 

About the Author

Vincent J. Bove is a national speaker and author on issues critical to America with over 300 published works, and eighteen cover stories for The Chief of Police. 

His most recent books are Reawakening America and Listen to Their Cries.

Bove is recipient of the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award, former confidant of the New York Yankees, and served as spokesperson for a coalition of Virginia Tech tragedy victim’s families.

Note Well: this article was published in The Chief of Police, July 17, 2023 edition and distributed hardcover to law enforcement executives nationwide. 

It is also published online as follows:

https://www.copmag.org/reawakening-the-nation-2/

This published work is based on a fourteen year partnership of Reawakening America LLC with the National Association of Chiefs of Police. The partnership includes 18 cover stories and 58 articles authored by Vincent Bove without interruption to quarterly magazine publications.

 “We must all serve as catalysts to protect our workplaces, schools, communities, public spaces, and houses of worship.  Public safety demands leadership, vigilance, and collaboration.  Security 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

www.vincentbove.com 

Contact: vincent@vincentbove.com

Twitter: vincentjbove

Related:

FBI: Active Shooter Incidents in the United States in 2022

America’s Head-On Collision: A Culture of Violence and Crisis ofCharacter

America’s Active Shooter Crisis Demands Visionary Leadership

Understanding the Profession

School Violence: Toxic Personalities, Warning Signs, Countermeasures

Photos

1.  NYPD pre-graduation formation, Madison Square Garden, Apr. 24, 2023. (Credit: NYPD Twitter Police Academy)

2.  NYPD graduates, Apr. 24, 2023. (Courtesy NYPD Twitter, Commissioner Sewell account)

3. Chicago Police Department funeral for Officer Ella French, Badge 15013. (Credit CPD Twitter)

4. Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) statistics for 2022. (Credit: FOP)

5. NYPD Counterterrorism officer with canine, Rockefeller Center. (Credit NYPD Counterterrorism Twitter

6. NYPD funeral of Officer Jason Rivera, Jan. 28, 2022, Fifth Avenue, NYC. (Credit: NYPD PALS, Twitter)

7. Robert J. Contee III, former chief of the Metropolitan Police Department.

8.  FBI Active Shooter Cover (Credit FBI)

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[1] https://nleomf.org/fallen-le-officers-honored-during-35-candlelight-vigil-may-13/

[2] https://fop.net/2022/12/updated-29-december-one-of-the-most-dangerous-years-for-law-enforcement/

Toxic Personalities: Awareness, Identifiers, Violence Prevention

On Friday, November 18, 2022, I was privileged to continue my twenty years of service to the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association (BCPCA) with monthly remarks to their members.

During these years, it has been my responsibility, as their liaison with police-community issues, to address concerns including ethical policing, violence prevention, emergency preparedness, and public safety.

These meetings are attended by 75 – 100 police chiefs, law enforcement officials, psychologists, and community leaders.

My remarks today, in Woodridge, NJ, focused on the ongoing violence in our schools and campuses.  Just this past week there were seven university students killed, three from the University of Virginia, and four from the University of Idaho.

Toxic Personalities

It is my opinion, that aside from understanding warning signs, imminent warning signs, and violence prevention countermeasures, we must also understand toxic personalities.  

I believe that understanding all of these issues is vital to law enforcement, educators, mental health professionals, security professionals, the judicial system, and all concerned about America’s culture of violence.

Today’s remarks, focused on a section of my newest report titled School Violence: Toxic Personalities, Warning Signs, and Countermeasures.  It was released just three days ago by the National Association of Chiefs of Police.

Identifying Toxic Personalities: A List

The remarks to the BCPCA today was as follows:

"Recently, I read a book titled How to Deal with Toxic People.

"It was a glaring reminder that understanding toxic personalities is essential to law enforcement, educators, mental health professionals, and the judicial system.  

"The toxic personality types addressed in the book are as follows:     

·         The Deceiver – one who habitually lies, which is part of a larger deceptive context.  This personality type creates mistrust, chaos, and uncertainty.

·         The Control Freak – meddles with the business of others, tells them how to act, and holds them to impossible standards.  They drain your energy and seek to undermine others self-worth.

·         The Gaslighter – comes from a 1944 film Gaslight, which highlights a manipulative spouse making the innocent party feel they are the problematic one, the one psychologically impaired.

·         The Angry Venter – treats others as verbal punching bags.

·         The Know-It-All – is right about everything, always in competition with others, and needs to win always. They seek to manipulate, mistreat, and dominate others.

·         The Intimidator – seeks control by issuing threats, sometimes with bark and no bite, but can also back threats with actions.  They breed resentment, bitterness, and anger.

·         The Egotist – their motto is “It’s all about me!”  They crave, demand, and hog the spotlight, dominate conversation, and disregard the needs of others.

·         The Drama Queen or Crisis King – Every issue, even normal experiences is catastrophic.  They need to be the center of the storm, whip up problems, and orchestrate emotional conflicts.

·         The Put-Down Artist – uses words, tone of voice and actions to degrade the value of others.  They are often callous and insulting, using biting remarks, or sarcasm to diminish others.

·         The Moral Authority – pontificates to coerce compliance.

·         The Emotional Roller Coaster – takes others on mood swings to control.

·         The Pessimist – spreads discontent, and negativity like a contagious virus.

·         The Guilter – never able to apologize, but always blaming others for everything.

·         The Addict – dysfunctional due to addictions (substance abuse, gambling, alcoholism, etc.) who will say and do anything to cover their needs, including distorting the truth and inventing false realities. 

"The ability to effectively respond to toxic personalities begins with awareness.  These toxic personality types are highlighted to empower individuals to effectively respond. 

"A toxic personality does not definitively lead to acts of violence. Yet, understanding toxic personalities, especially when warning signs, or imminent warning signs are identified, is pertinent.  This understanding benefits understanding human deficiencies, prevents violence, and contributes to civility in society.”

BCPCA Mission Statement: 2022 Topics, Excerpts

MISSION STATEMENT: To secure a closer official and personal relationship among police officials in the County of Bergen; to secure unity of action in police matters; to elevate the standards of police institutions; to strive for advancement among all lines that pertain to the prevention and to the detection of crime and the promotion of police efficiency in general.

Some of my other remarks to the BCPCA during 2002 meetings include the following:

School Violence Warning Signs through the Prism of Uvalde’s Tragedy

Excerpt:  

“He [Uvalde’s Killer] showed disdain for women, and often sent them negative and perverse texts.

He communicated, ‘some women deserved to be raped.’  His bizarre behavior and depraved expressions gained him the online nickname ‘school shooter.’  Moreover, he regularly joked about rape, kidnapping, and murder.  He hated his parents and posted a video of himself lashing out obscenities at his mother.

“He wore all black, became disheveled, and walked around in combat boots.

“Yet, no one intervened. No one acted to apprehend him or to provide any viable means of correction.

“No one intervened. No one acted to control him or provide the structure desperately needed. He hated his parents and the world and he wanted to lash out in any way, no matter how horrific.

“Eventually, he found a way to receive national attention. He entered a school and shot and killed 19 school children and 2 teachers who tried to protect the children.”

Echoes of Columbine: School Violence Awareness and Prevention

Excerpt:  

“Apparently, there is no typical profile but patterns and behaviors of a school shooter.

“FBI Profiling Unit Conclusion – profiling does not work for school shooters but studies over the last 20 years show many school shooters share common characteristics as follows:

“Perceived injustices inflicted upon the attacker, they become an injustice collector with bruises that never heal.

“Revenge – born from humiliation and the loss of control.

“Need for Attention – their 15 minutes of fame no matter what the price of carnage is to pay for it.

“Troubled, alienated, hopeless, withdrawn – desperate to express their dysfunction and brokenness.

“Notoriety by the Media is appealing – the twisted notion of being recognize.”

Echoes of Columbine: School Violence Awareness and Prevention, II of II

Excerpt:  

“During my remarks, I also shared a synopsis of the Preventive System of Education.  In my opinion, this pedagogy is critical for American schools.

PREVENTIVE VS REPRESSIVE SYSTEM OF EDUCATION

“There is the repressive system that makes rules known, watches for transgressions, and is quick to discipline a student by inflicting condescending correction and punishment. 

“The errant zero-tolerance policy in so many schools is an example of a repressive system - rigid, bureaucratic, and impersonal.

“The better pedagogy is the preventive system of education. In this system, educators are vigilant in a caring manner and offer patient guidance from the heart consistent with kindness, character, and reasonableness.

“The preventive system of education builds trust, respect, and connections with students and the community. This pedagogy is the opposite of a zero-tolerance approach. 

“The preventative system responds to concerns with measured interventions that promotes reasonableness, dignity, and respect.

“The repressive system is dictatorial and may temporarily stop a disorder or a warning sign, but will not inspire students or properly remedy the issue.

“The preventive system speaks the language of the heart and is transformational. It provides speedy intervention to warning signs due to the educator’s dedication, presence, and corrective follow-through.”

NOTE WELL: Today’s remarks to the BCPCA was a segment of the report titled America’s School Violence Crisis: A Special Report, School Violence: Toxic Personalities, Warning Signs, Countermeasures.

The report was based on a fourteen year partnership of Reawakening America LLC with the National Association of Chiefs of Police. The partnership includes 18 cover stories and 58 articles authored by Vincent Bove.

Read the Report published in The Chief of Police: Click Here

Recommended Reading:  How to Deal with Toxic People (Jantz) , by Gregory L. Jantz Ph.D. and Keith Wall 

About the Author

Vincent J. Bove is a national speaker and author on issues critical to America with over 300 published works. His most recent books are “Reawakening America” and “Listen To Their Cries.”

Bove is recipient of the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award, former confident of the New York Yankees, and served as spokesperson for a coalition of Virginia Tech tragedy victim’s families.

For 20 years, Vincent has been a Board Certified Protection Professional (CPP), Board Certified Crime Prevention Specialist, Certified Police Training Commission Instructor, Crime Prevention Practitioner, and USDOJ Certified Community Anti-Terrorism Instructor Trainer. 

Bove is also a licensed State of New Jersey / Division of State Police SORA Instructor, owner of Reawakening America LLC, and co-founder of Global Security Resolutions LLC, an international investigative company.

Photos

1. BCPCA Nov. 18, 2022 attendees pause to pray. (Reawakening America LLC)

2. Violence Prevention Photo Collage. (Photos with attribution are published in The Sentinel posting of the NACOP article by Bove. 

St. Louis School Shooter: America’s Culture of Violence Demands Visionary Leadership

On Oct. 24, 2022, a 19-year-old gunman killed two people and wounded several others at his former St. Louis school.

As with other school violence rampages, he had documented his nefarious intention, a note of his struggles.  According to St. Louis Police, this had led to “the perfect storm for a mass shooter.”

The St. Louis Police Commissioner stated that the killer had come to the school with an AR-15 style rifle. He also stated that he had over 600 rounds of ammunition, and more than a dozen high capacity magazines.

Additional details will be revealed by authorities as the investigation continues, but for now a review of my recent remarks to law enforcement and community leaders deserves attention.

School Violence Warning Signs through the Prism of Uvalde’s Tragedy.

On Thursday, September 15, 2022, I addressed 75 police chiefs and associate members of the Bergen
County Police Chiefs Association (BCPCA) at their monthly meeting.

It has been my privilege to share remarks to the BCPCA on a monthly basis for the past twenty years as their liaison for issues on ethical leadership, violence prevention, and crisis management.

Today’s event took place at the Old Tappan Manor in Old Tappan, New Jersey. 

My remarks were titled School Violence Warning Signs through the Prism of Uvalde’s Tragedy.

Since this meeting coincided with the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, I felt the importance of focusing on school violence prevention, particularly related to warning signs.

Just prior to the summer break, on May 24, 2022, one of the nation’s most horrific acts of school violence took place.  The event at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas once again crystalized our nation’s tragic culture of violence.

My remarks began with these reflections from a published report titled What Made Ramos Kill.  The report was modified and abbreviated as follows:

Let’s look at the life of the Uvalde Killer, a 18-year-old high school student who killed 19 children and two adults at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. His life can be examined through a prism of missed warning signs:  

The killer's father was absent physically, financially, emotionally and spiritually. His mother had a substance abuse problem and was overwhelmed with an increasingly violent child. So she pawned her son off to grandparents who were seemingly unable to impose authority, or to get the right help from an outside source. Without intervention, his incorrigible tailspin continued.

It seemed he was falling apart mentally as his alarming conduct escalated.  Soon his physical appearance became disheveled.  Red warning lights were flashing everywhere. He cut his face up with a knife for fun. He talked about how much he enjoyed cutting himself.  

He was obsessed with guns and violence.  He posted pictures of automatic weapons, and videos online of himself with guns and knives, as well as videos of himself boxing and training to fight.

Law enforcement was often called to his house because of his out of control behavior.

He showed disdain for women, and often sent them negativistic and perverse texts. He communicated, "some women deserved to be raped."  His bizarre behavior and depraved expressions gained him the online nickname "school shooter."  Moreover, he regularly joked about rape, kidnapping, and murder.  He hated his parents; and posted a video of himself lashing out obscenities at his mother.

He wore all black, became disheveled, and walked around in combat boots. He posted a video of him screaming obscenities at his mother.

Yet, no one intervened. No one acted to apprehend him or to provide any viable means of correction.

No one intervened. No one acted to control him or provide the structure desperately needed. He hated his parents and at the world and he wanted to lash out in any way, no matter how horrific.

Eventually, he found a way to receive national attention. He entered a school and shot and killed 19 school children and 2 teachers who tried to protect the children.  Their families must now deal with the loss.  And the community of Uvalde can look back with hindsight and see the impact of disregarding the many glaring warning signs that led to this tragedy.

What Made Ramos Kill

Listen To Their Cries – Early Warning Signs

My remarks continued with the highlighting of Early Warning Signs as published in my book titled Listen To Their Cries.

These warning signs were originally published in the government booklet Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools. 

The booklet was published by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE).  The USDOE provided thousands of copies to me for my presentations nationwide after the 1999 Columbine tragedy.  

In my opinion, this booklet is a treasure of prevention for school violence that unfortunately is still not as valued or understood as it should be.

As noted in the booklet, and also in Listen To Their Cries, it is not always possible to predict behavior that will lead to violence.  However, the community can recognize early warning signs that may lead to aggressive rage or violent behavior.

A good rule of thumb is to assume these warning signs, especially when they are presented in combination, indicate a need for further analysis to determine a measured intervention.

These are the early warning signs shared today with the BCPCA.  It should be noted they are not equally significant, not presented in order of seriousness, and deserve comprehensive study.  

The early warning signs include:

• Social withdrawal

• Excessive feelings of isolation and being alone

• Excessive feelings of rejection

• Being a victim of violence

• Feelings of being picked on and persecuted

• Low school interest/poor academic performance

• Uncontrolled anger

• Patterns of impulsive and chronic hitting, intimidating, and bullying

• Expression of violence in writings

• History of discipline problems

• Past history of violent aggressive behavior

• Drug and alcohol use

• Affiliation with gangs

• Intolerance for differences and prejudicial attitudes

• Inappropriate access to, possession of, and use of firearms

• Serious threats of violence

During today’s meeting, copies of my articles in The Chief of Police, Vol. XL, 2022 titled Transforming American Policing: Mass Demonstration Recommendations and Safeguarding America’s Protectors: A Community Responsibility, complimentary of the National Association of Chiefs of Police, were available for all attendees.

Note Well: Joan Pinto, an educator with the Morris County Vocational School District, was gracious with proofreading this article and provided valuable editing and insight.

 

Related Coverage:

19 Children, 2 Adults Killed: America’s Culture of Violence and Failure of Leadership

Echoes of Columbine: School Violence Awareness and Prevention

America’s Schools: Security, Character, Academics

American School Violence Tracker: Awareness and Prevention

Reawakening America LLC / About the Founder  

Vincent J. Bove, CPP, is a national speaker and author on issues critical to America with over 300 published works. His most recent books are Reawakening America and Listen To Their Cries. He is recipient of the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award and former confident of the New York Yankees.  Vincent is co-founder of Global Security Resolutions, and served as spokesperson for a coalition of Virginia Tech tragedy families of victims. He has 18 cover stories for The Chief of Police.

For twenty years, Vincent has served as a Board Certified Protection Professional (CPP), Board Certified Crime Prevention Specialist, Certified Police Training Commission Instructor, Crime Prevention Practitioner, and USDOJ Certified Community Anti-Terrorism Instructor Trainer.  He is currently a State of New Jersey / Division of State Police SORA Instructor, licensed for ten years.  

Vincent J. Bove has conducted keynotes, presentations, and training throughout the United States. This partial client list in his home state of New Jersey reflects a microcosm of his programs on ethical leadership, violence prevention, and public safety nationwide:

Ø  The Southern New Jersey Prosecutor’s School Security Conference

Ø  Bergen County Education Association Conference in partnership with the Bergen County Sheriff's Office, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, and Bergen County Police Chiefs Association

Ø  Saint Peter's College

Ø  Port Authority Police Academy 

Ø  Department of the Air Force, Joint Base McGuire-Dix

Ø  New Jersey Education Association

Ø  North Arlington Public Schools

Ø  Hackensack Public Schools

Ø  Hackensack Police Department - numerous domestic violence, school violence and community policing presentations, including Community Policing Summit in partnership with Hackensack University Medical Center

Ø  Tenafly Public Schools

Ø  West Milford Public Schools

Ø  Monmouth University

Ø  The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey

Ø  Cinnaminson Township Public Schools

Ø  Wood-Ridge Public Schools

Ø  North Arlington Public Schools

Ø  Fort Lee Public Schools

Ø  Morris County Professional Counselors Association

Ø  Fairleigh Dickinson University

Ø  North Bergen Board of Education

Ø  Union City Board of Education

Ø  Rebeka Verea Foundation

Ø  Bergenfield Public Schools

Ø  New Jersey School Boards Association

Ø  New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association

Ø  Morris County Council of Education Associations

Ø  Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute

Ø  New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police

Ø  New Jersey City University 

Ø  New Jersey Association of School Administrators

Ø  West New York Board of Education

Ø  Carlstadt Public Schools

Ø  Livingston Police Department

Ø  New Milford Board of Education

Ø  New Jersey Association of School Business Officials

Ø  North Jersey Regional Crime Prevention Officers Association (board member)

Ø  New Jersey Bias Crime Officers Association

Ø  FBI, Newark Field Division - numerous presentations including Fort Monmouth, Fort Dix, the FBI Newark Field Office & the New Jersey Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory

Ø  Jersey City Police Department, East District (numerous domestic violence, school violence, and workplace violence keynotes & leadership keynote in partnership with cadets of the United States Military Academy on Ellis Island)

Ø  DARE NJ

Ø  River Vale Police Department Youth Police Academy Graduation Keynote

Ø  Teaneck Police Department

Ø  Essex County Police Chiefs Association

Ø  Essex County Police Academy Graduation Keynote

Ø  Essex County Crime Prevention Officers Association

Ø  Passaic Arts and Science Center

Ø  Northern Highlands Regional High School

Bove has also served the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association as liaison on issues including ethical leadership and violence prevention for 20 consecutive years. He shares monthly remarks to 75 - 100 members of the association including police chiefs from over 70 departments, the FBI, the NYPD, the Port Authority Police Department and community leaders.  

Resources: www.vincentbove.com or twitter@vincentjbove

Note Well: Photos of various cover stories for The Chief of Police by Vincent J. Bove are illustrated within this article, as well as photos of his two most recent books, Listen To Their Cries and Reawakening America.