Twenty-Five Years Later: The Greatest Tribute to 9/11 Is How We Care for Today’s Protectors

Remembering the Fallen, Honoring Their Sacrifice, and Protecting Those Who Serve
 
Statement of Record
 

Twenty-five years after September 11, 2001, the responsibility to remember has not diminished—and neither has our responsibility to those who protect us.
 
I will never forget standing atop my office building in Hackensack, New Jersey, watching the Twin Towers burn. The sight was heartbreaking and almost impossible to comprehend. From that distance, I could only imagine what the people inside those buildings were experiencing as they desperately tried to escape. And as I watched the smoke rise over lower Manhattan, I found myself praying for the first responders I knew would be heading toward the site, despite the unimaginable danger. They were going in while others were trying to get out.
 
That memory remains with me. So does the realization that September 11 was never simply an event that happened to America. It happened to people—to families, communities, colleagues and friends—and it forever changed the lives of those who survived and those who were left behind. Among those who answered the call were NYPD officers, FDNY firefighters, EMS personnel, Port Authority Police officers, and countless other first responders who ran toward the danger, placing their own lives between those in peril and the people they were sworn to protect.
 
My work in the years since has brought me throughout America and, increasingly, alongside the NYPD. As the Department’s Honorary Law Enforcement Motivational Speaker, I have had the privilege of standing with officers and leaders across New York City, speaking about ethical leadership, morale, emotional fortitude and suicide prevention. I have also had selected opportunities to extend these principles to the FDNY through visits to firehouses and work with FDNY Peer Support professionals.
 
Those experiences have reinforced a conviction that has become central to my work: protecting the public requires us to protect the people who have accepted the responsibility of protecting the public.
 
That is why Never Forget must mean more than remembering a terrible morning. It must mean remembering the human beings who were lost, honoring the families who have carried their absence, and recognizing the men and women who continue to carry the responsibility of protecting others.
 
The greatest tribute to those who gave their lives is to ensure that those who serve today never have to carry the burdens of service alone.
 
The Memory America Carries
 
For those who lived through September 11, the memories have never belonged solely to that morning. They became part of the years that followed, carried into families, workplaces, firehouses, precincts and communities. For some, the loss was immediate and intimate. For others, it was the loss of a colleague, a neighbor or a friend—or someone whose name would become permanently associated with a day that changed the nation.
 
Twenty-five years later, that personal dimension still matters.

 
There are police officers and firefighters serving today who were not yet born when the World Trade Center was attacked. Some were children too young to understand what they were seeing. Others learned about September 11 through their parents, through photographs and stories, or through the memories of those who had been there. Yet they entered professions profoundly shaped by that day, inheriting not only its history but also a responsibility to understand what it meant to those who came before them.
 
For the men and women of the NYPD, FDNY, Port Authority Police Department, EMS and the many other agencies and professions that responded, September 11 revealed the most demanding meaning of public service. While others were trying to escape the danger, first responders were moving toward it. They climbed stairways while others descended. They entered buildings from which many would never return. They searched, rescued, carried, treated and comforted, often without knowing whether the next moment would be their last.
 
Among those who perished were 343 FDNY firefighters, NYPD officers, Port Authority Police officers, EMS professionals and other first responders who answered the call. Their sacrifice cannot be reduced to the numbers remembered at ceremonies each September. Behind every name was a human being whose absence changed a family forever.
 
There were spouses who suddenly had to raise children alone. Sons and daughters grew up knowing a parent primarily through photographs, stories and the memories of others. Parents lost children, brothers and sisters lost siblings, and colleagues returned to work knowing that familiar voices and faces would no longer come through the door. Communities, too, lost people who had been woven into the ordinary fabric of their lives.
 
That is why September 11 must remain personal, even for those who were not yet alive when it happened. Those who died were not distant figures in a historical event. They were us. They belonged to the communities they served. They sat beside us at work, lived beside us at home, raised families, coached children, worshipped in our churches and synagogues, shopped in our neighborhoods and answered calls when someone needed help.
 
Most importantly, many were protectors. They had accepted a responsibility that asks something extraordinary of an ordinary human being: when danger comes, move toward it while others move away.
 
That responsibility did not end on September 11, 2001. It was inherited by the next generation.
 
Today, when a young police officer puts on the uniform, walks into a precinct and begins a tour, or when a firefighter enters a firehouse and prepares for the next alarm, that officer or firefighter becomes part of a profession carrying memories that began long before his or her career. The names of the fallen remain on memorials, but their legacy also lives in the people who continue to answer the call.
 
This is where remembrance acquires a responsibility of its own. If we truly mean Never Forget, remembering those who gave everything must also lead us to ask what we are doing for the men and women who continue to stand between danger and the people they protect.
 
That question is no less important than the remembrance itself.
 
The Responsibility We Carry Forward
 
The officers and firefighters serving today did not choose the history they inherited. Many entered their professions years after September 11, yet they stepped into institutions forever marked by the courage and loss of that day. They inherited a standard of service forged under circumstances most of us hope never to witness again: when people were in danger, protectors moved toward them.
 

The circumstances are different now, the threats have changed and the demands placed upon law enforcement and the fire service continue to evolve. But the human being beneath the uniform has not changed. Every officer and firefighter still carries the capacity for courage, fear, grief, exhaustion, hope and renewal.
 
That reality places a particular responsibility on those entrusted with leadership. People who repeatedly place themselves in harm's way cannot be sustained indefinitely by being told simply to endure. They need to know that their service matters, that their sacrifices are recognized and that their organization will stand with them when the burden becomes heavy. They also need to know that acknowledging fear, grief or vulnerability does not diminish the courage that brought them into the profession.
 
Emotional fortitude is not the absence of those experiences. It is the capacity to confront them without surrendering to them—to process what has happened, draw upon the strength of others and continue forward. Sometimes the most important act of protection occurs far from the scene of an emergency: a colleague notices that something has changed; a supervisor takes the time to listen; an organization treats a person's struggle as a matter of human dignity rather than weakness; someone has the courage to intervene before a crisis becomes irreversible.
 
This is where suicide prevention becomes inseparable from the meaning of Never Forget. If we remember those who died protecting others but fail to recognize protectors who are struggling today, our remembrance remains incomplete.
 
The obligation of the present generation extends beyond preserving the memory of September 11. It is to build a culture worthy of that memory—a culture in which ethical leadership, strong morale, emotional fortitude and suicide prevention are not separate initiatives, but expressions of the same responsibility: protecting those who protect us.
 
That is how a legacy remains alive—not simply in the names engraved in stone, but in the way we lead, support and care for the living.
 
The Torch We Carry Forward
 
Perhaps the most unexpected lesson in remembrance can be found through the eyes of a child.
 
My grandson loves firetrucks. When one passes by, he points toward it with the excitement only a child can express. He has a favorite firetruck toy and even a favorite shirt bearing the NYPD insignia. He does not understand September 11. He cannot comprehend what happened at the World Trade Center or know the names of the firefighters and police officers who gave their lives that day.
 
But he understands something essential: he sees people who protect others.
 
That understanding came alive for me during a visit to FDNY Ladder 4, “The Pride of Midtown.” My wife, my son, my daughter-in-law and I had the privilege of bringing him into the firehouse and introducing him to the firefighters. I remember the pride I felt watching him meet these men and seeing the way they welcomed him—and all of us—with such warmth and respect.
 
They took the time to make the visit special. They welcomed him into their world, held him for photographs and allowed our family to share a moment that became a treasured memory.
 
For me, however, the moment carried a deeper meaning.
 
Engine 54, Ladder 4 and Battalion 9 are known as the Pride of Midtown, and the companies suffered extraordinary losses on September 11. Standing there with my grandson, I could not help but think about the connection between those who answered the call that morning and the firefighters now carrying their tradition forward.
 
These were a new generation of protectors. They had not served on September 11, 2001, and many were not yet in the profession when it happened. Yet they had chosen the same demanding vocation of service, entering a tradition shaped by extraordinary sacrifice.
 
My grandson knew none of that.
 
He simply saw firefighters.
 
And perhaps there is something profoundly beautiful in that simplicity. Before a child understands sacrifice, he can learn gratitude. Before he can comprehend history, he can recognize the people who protect others.
 
The photograph captures that moment for our family, but its meaning extends beyond us. It brings together those who gave their lives, those who serve today and a child who represents the generation that will inherit their example.
 
The legacy of September 11 is therefore not preserved only by looking backward. It lives in the people who continue to answer the call.
 
The young police officers now entering the NYPD may not have been born when the towers fell. The firefighters serving today may know that day primarily through the memories of those who came before them. Yet they have accepted the responsibility of serving in institutions forever changed by September 11.
 
They are not replacing those who were lost.
 
They are carrying their torch.
 
And that brings Never Forget into the present. It means remembering what happened, honoring those who gave their lives and recognizing the people who have accepted the responsibility of carrying their legacy forward. It also means making sure that those protectors do not have to carry the burdens of service alone.
 
The greatest tribute to those who gave their lives on September 11 is not simply to remember how they died. It is to remember why they lived, what they stood for and what they gave to the communities they served.
 
Then, when we see the protectors standing before us today, we should be able to say—not merely in words, but through our actions:
 
We see you. Your service matters. And we will carry one another.

As originally published by Law Officer, Top Featured Article, on September 11, 2026, the 25th Anniversary of 9/11. 

About the Author

Vincent J. Bove is a nationally recognized authority on ethical leadership, violence prevention, and law enforcement resiliency.

A sought-after speaker and prolific author, his work has influenced agencies and institutions across the United States for more than 25 years.

Bove has authored more than 400 published articles and four books addressing critical issues in public safety, leadership, and moral courage. 

His book Reawakening America© was named a finalist for ASIS International’s Book of the Year. Listen to Their Cries© was selected and sponsored for distribution to all attendees—students representing institutions from across the United States—at the National Conference on Ethics in America by the Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic at the United States Military Academy, at the request of a coalition of West Point graduates involved in the conference.

He was appointed the first-ever Honorary Law Enforcement Motivational Speaker by the New York City Police Department, conducting leadership and resiliency initiatives across all five boroughs of New York City.

Bove is also the author of more than seventy articles published in Law Officer, a national publication serving law enforcement professionals across the United States. His work emphasizes ethical leadership, preventive strategies, officer resilience, and the preservation of public trust in modern policing—drawing on American history and enduring leadership traditions to reinforce the importance of character, accountability, and moral courage.

He is a trusted voice at Federal Bureau of Investigation venues, United States Military Academy, and numerous U.S. military facilities. A longtime author for the National Association of Chiefs of Police, he has written 18 cover stories and contributed to shaping national law enforcement dialogue through feature articles and reports.

“Vincent J. Bove is considered one of the foremost national experts on school and workplace violence prevention, specializing in facility protection, evacuations, terrorism prevention, and leadership training.” — U.S. Senate

Photo: Vincent and Lily Bove, World Trade Center Memorial, May 11, 2026, NYC. (RALLC)

 
Related Law Officer Selections by Vincent J. Bove
 
1. “Anchored Through the Storms of 21st Century Policing”
An exploration of NYPD retreat traditions, ethical leadership, affirmation, resilience, fraternity and the enduring human foundations that strengthen those who serve.
 
2. “The Moral Courage Behind the Uniform”
 
An examination of character, conscience and ethical leadership as enduring foundations of 21st-century policing.
 
3. “The NYPD Shield of Courage Continues the Mission”
 
A reflection on sacrifice, family, service and the enduring responsibility carried by those who wear the NYPD shield.
 
Chronology of Vincent J. Bove Law Officer Articles
 
The complete chronology of Vincent J. Bove’s published Law Officer articles, reflecting his continuing work in ethical leadership, public trust, resilience, morale and the evolving responsibilities of law enforcement.
 

Photographs

1. Dali at FDNY Ladder 4

During a family visit to FDNY Ladder 4, “The Pride of Midtown,” Vincent J. Bove’s grandson, Dali, who was visiting from China, is welcomed by members of the firehouse. For Bove, the moment represents the continuing connection between those who gave their lives on September 11, those who serve today, and the generation that will inherit their example.

Photo: Vincent J. Bove for Reawakening America LLC, May 10, 2026.

2. NYPD at the 9/11 Memorial

NYPD officers stand in solemn formation at the 9/11 Memorial in remembrance of those who were lost on September 11, 2001. The memorial remains a place where the sacrifice of the fallen and the continuing responsibility of those who serve converge.

Photo: NYPD, September 11, 2025. Public domain.

3. FDNY 343

FDNY members carry the 343 banner during the Veterans Day Parade on Fifth Avenue in New York City, honoring the firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others.

Photo: Vincent J. Bove for Reawakening America LLC, November 11, 2011.

Reawakening the Nation - A Special Report: 21st Century Policing: Issues and Response

During nine months of travels throughout Italy, China and California (June 2023 – February 2024), I remained in constant contact with American law enforcement and private security colleagues.

The focus was policing and security concerns in America, and the responses necessary to address these issues.

In this article, the issues and responses will be addressed.  It is my hope these reflections will encourage our nation’s protectors and provide a roadmap to assist them.

The path forward I believe, is only possible by inspiring a culture of ethics, altruism, vigilance and dedication to community and country.

Dedication to America

Before continuing, I am compelled to share experiences my wife and I had visiting both World War II American military cemeteries in Italy.

We visited these sacred grounds to honor Americans who offered the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.

Respecting our military, and reverence for those who lost their lives in service of our freedom, is an indisputable principle for the reawakening of our nation.

This respect is also one of the nine Principles of American Policing.

Reflections of these visits are memorialized in the journal I maintained during our travels as follows:

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 hero’s.

“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.

“As we walked the hallowed grounds, we felt mystically connected with them, profoundly grateful for 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, obligated as Americans to visit both resting places for our World War II heroes.

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

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

“In my next article for The Chief of Police I will memorialize this experience. Honoring American military sacrifices is critical for law enforcement and all privileged to call America their home. It is my solemn responsibility to uphold this principle.”

Return to America

After traveling Italy for one month (June 13 – July 14, 2023) and then China (July 14 – October 30, 2023) we returned to America to reside in Irvine, California through February 26, 2024.

While in California, I was involved with numerous law enforcement concerns there.  But, also in constant communication with New Jersey and New York law enforcement.

In California, I was privileged to be the guest speaker which is memorialized in my on-line news titled The Sentinel as follows:

21st-Century Policing: Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center Presentation

“Thanks to the collaborative leadership of the U. S. Marshall for the SDNY (and his respected leadership with recommending my presentation), the NYPD Southern California Liaison, the County of Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, I was privileged to deliver a January 10, 2024 presentation in California.

“The presentation titled 21st-Century Policing: Safeguarding our Communities occurred at the Saddle Brook Church in Lake Forest, California. 

It was presented to members of the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center.

“Attendees represented law enforcement agencies throughout California. They work in partnership on issues including domestic terrorism, civil unrest, violence prevention, criminal risks, and threat assessment.

“During the presentation, my topics included the following:

·        American – Chinese Law Enforcement Comparisons

·        Law Enforcement Safety, Morale, and Emotional Survival

·        Community / Neighborhood Policing Concepts.

·        Building Partnerships through Encounters

·        Law enforcement / Community Bridges of Trust

·        School Violence, Workplace Violence, Community Violence: Issues, and Response

·        America’s Active Shooter Crisis

“Attendees included the following:

·        Los Angeles Police Department

·        Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department

·        San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department

·        Riverside County Sheriff’s Department

·        Orange County Sheriff’s Department

·        NYPD

·        FBI

·        County of Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department

·        San Diego County Sheriff’s Department

·        United States Air Marshals

·        San Diego Police Department

·        Anaheim Police Department

·        Orange County Probation Department

·        UCLA Police Department

·        University of California Irvine Police Department

·        Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Reserve

“It was my honor to address these law enforcement officials dedicated to protecting and serving our communities. They truly represent the best of all of us.

“Additional initiatives in California are underway because of today's event, and it will be my privilege to support all dedicated to public safety.” 

Law Enforcement and Private Security Issues

While traveling, these were some of the published articles concerned colleagues and I exchanged, especially those in California, New Jersey, and the NYPD:

·       7 indicted in attack on 2 NYPD officers in Times Square, Five of the defendants, who had previously been arrested, face felony charges, officials said.  NBC News

·       2 Minn. police officers, 1 medic killed during domestic call identified, ems1.com

·       Inside the ‘pressure cooker’: 4 deaths in 24 hours open up conversation about suicides by police, CNN

·       Police Suicides: Awareness, Prevention, Action, The Sentinel

·       Safeguarding America’s Protectors: A Community Responsibility, The Chief of Police

·        In Memoriam: America’s Fallen Officers, The Chief of Police

·        Former Head of FBI Counterintelligence Sentenced to Prison for Concealing Business Deals, share.newsbreak.com

·        Maine mass shooting: 18 dead and 13 injured in US city of Lewiston, BBC News

·        Kansas City shooting: One dead and 21 injured near Super Bowl parade, BBC News

·        Almost 5,000 people have died in U.S. gun violence so far in 2024, The shootings have reignited debate about gun violence in America, ABC News

·        "Mass killers practice at home": How domestic violence and mass shootings are linked, CBS News

·        4 Students Shot Outside Atlanta High School, The New York Times

·        Butler County Sheriff addresses what he learned at conference [America’s infrastructure and Cyber-Security deficiencies], youtube.com

·        Safeguarding America’s Protectors: A Community Responsibility, The Chief of Police

·        A new Homeland Security guide aims to help houses of worship protect themselves, apnews

·        Exclusive Report: Instructors at Bergen County Academy Removed, New Recruit Class Suspended, share.newsbreak.com

·        Private Police Training Promoted Unconstitutional Tactics, Demeaned Women and Minorities, NJ.gov

·        Police Trainers Used Sexist Language and Glorified Violence, Videos Show. Street Cop Training, a private police training company, encouraged the use of unconstitutional tactics, a report by New Jersey’s comptroller says, The New York Times

·        NJ Police lieutenant arrested for stealing cocaine, fentanyl form evidence room: “Brazen disregard of the law,’ New York Post

·       Controversial police training firm files for bankruptcy, blames New Jersey Investigations, newjerseymonitor.com

·       Wall Township Police Sergeant Charged with Stealing More than $75K from Local PBA, Office of the Monmouth County Prosecutor

·       N.J. police sergeant facing more charges after allegedly stealing $75K from PBA, officials say, nj.com

·       Misconduct Claims at Bergen County Police Academy under investigation, classes suspended, northjersey.com

·       Hate Crimes against Asians jumped 107% in California in ‘an epidemic of hate,’ Los Angeles Times

·       21^st Century Policing Demands Ethical Leadership, The Chief of Police

·       Justice Department Released Report on its Critical Incident Review of the Response to the Mass Shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, U.S. Department of Justice

·       School Violence Warning Signs through the Prism of Uvalde’s Tragedy, The Sentinel

·       SPECIAL REPORT: School Violence: Toxic Personalities, Warning Signs, Countermeasures AMERICA’S SCHOOL VIOLENCE CRISIS, The Chief of Police 

·       Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik shoots himself inside Clifton restaurant, northjersey.com

·       New Jersey Sheriff Richard Berdnik fatally shoots himself in restaurant after officers charged, share.newsbreak.com

·      21^st Century Policing Demands Ethical Leadership, The Chief of Police

·       Passaic Sheriff’s Office brought $10m in security items from firm targeted by FBI, northjersey.com

·       Human Trafficking Concerns related to the Super Bowl, (America’s Human Trafficking Scourge Demands Moral Leadership, The Sentinel)

·       After 3 years and $1.5M, cops in N.J. racism scandal could face discipline, nj.com

·       Watch: Cops Forced To Restrain ‘Drunk” NJ Police Chief At Tense Crash Scene, nj1015.com

·       NJ Police Chief retires early after drunken Kerfuffle with his own cop who slammed him on car hood: mayor, New York Post

·         21^st Century Policing: Orange County Intelligence Center Presentation, The Sentinel

America’s Crisis

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

Addressing these issues, the following insights, documented proactively from extensive published works and presentations, beckon a wakeup call to America.

It is hopeful that after reflection, and review of the articles noted below, a renewed resolve and action plans will be inspired and implemented:

Police Suicides: Awareness, Prevention, Action 

“Aside from resources for assistance within agencies such as the NYPD, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) at 1 800-273-8255, provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, as well as prevention and crisis resources, best practices, and enhancing awareness.

“As detailed on the NSPL website, these are some warning signs that may help to determine if one is at risk for suicide. These warning signs, 'especially if the behavior is new, has increased, or seems related to a painful event, loss, or change' demands that someone seek help:

•        Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves

•        Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun

•        Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live

•        Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain

•        Talking about being a burden to others

•        Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs

•        Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly

•        Sleeping too little or too much

•        Withdrawing or isolating themselves

•        Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge

•        Extreme mood swings

Prevent a Tragedy: See Something, Say Something

“Each life is sacred and deserving of respect, support, and encouragement.

“The maxim 'if you see something say something' is applicable not only to crime prevention, but to protecting the lives of all who serve, and all experiencing emotional trauma.

“We must continually have our eyes wide open to warning signs of suicide, and the moral courage to respond to prevent tragedies.”

REAWAKENING THE NATION: 

Safeguarding America’s Protectors: A Community Responsibility

“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.

“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.

“America is the 'land of the free and home of the brave' because of the sacrifices of law enforcement and armed forces. Let us eternally honor them and forever hold their families, friends, and colleagues in our prayers.”

Regarding the extensive media coverage on the assault of NYPD officers, I immediately released the following statement to law enforcement and on social media:

Statement on the January 27, 2024 Assault of NYPD Officers in Times Square

Reawakening America, LLC

Vincent J. Bove

"Contemptuous: ten violent criminals assault NYPD officers – pummeling and viciously kicking their faces.

"After their arrests they are immediately released, only to publicly insult all dedicated to moral decency with arrogance.

"Releasing them is the indisputable proof of the failure of the Bail Reform Law of New York.

"This incident demands moral outrage by law enforcement and the public, and immediate action to change the law to mandate consequences for criminality.

"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 whenever our unity of effort is compromised and we do not stand united against depravity.”

REAWAKENING THE NATION: 

21st Century American Policing Demands Ethical Leadership 

“Along with protecting those who protect us, we must also ensure they have world class training as noted in the Principles of American Policing.

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

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

“Law enforcement agencies nationwide require ongoing 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 successful partnership of the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association, Bergen County Prosecutors Office, and Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, has an agenda in this article deserving of implementation.”

America’s Active Shooter Crisis Demands Visionary Leadership 

“America’s flag continues to fly at half-staff too often due to violent rampages against the innocent.

“Visionary leadership must inspire vigilance and collaboration to prevent violence. We must have the determination, commitment, and courage to protect ourselves and others.

“Training initiatives, security assessments, sound security measures, building police-community partnerships, professional security personnel, responding effectively to warning signs, and the moral courage of elected officials to make necessary changes are critical safeguards against active shooter tragedies.

“These pillars must be inseparable from securing our communities against mass shooting tragedies and essential to reawakening the nation.”

SPECIAL REPORT

School Violence: Toxic Personalities, Warning Signs, Countermeasures, 

AMERICA’S SCHOOL VIOLENCE CRISIS

“Recently, I read the 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, private security professionals, educators, and the judicial system.

“Here are the toxic personality types addressed in the book:

·         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 your business, tells you how to act and holds you to impossible standards. They drain your energy and seek to undermine others self-worth.

·         The Gas lighter — comes from a 1944 film “Gaslight,” which highlights a manipulative spouse making the innocent party feel they are 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.) and 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 have the antidotes of knowledge and confidence to effectively respond. 

“A toxic personality does not definitively lead to acts of violence. Yet, understanding toxic personalities, especially when initial warning, or imminent warning signs are identified, is pertinent.

“This understanding benefits understanding human deficiencies, and can assist with preventing violence, and contribute to civility in society.”

Protecting America’s Houses of Worship, Schools, Facilities: A National Model 

“America’s law enforcement, in collaboration with private security professionals and houses of worship demands leadership.

“We must continually build bridges with communities through the concept of shared responsibility.

“Vigilance is critical as these are challenging times. The principles of security recommended in this article serve as a foundation for security in houses of worship nationwide.

“Our houses of worship represent the bedrock of America’s freedom of religion, guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Our  nation’s sacred spaces deserve our dedication, unity of effort, vigilance, and leadership.

“We must all serve as catalysts to protect our workplaces, schools, communities, public spaces, governmental facilities, and houses of worship.

“Public safety demands visionary leadership as well as vigilance, and collaboration.

“Security demands proactive threat assessments by board certified professionals, comprehensive ongoing enhancements (physical, personnel, procedural, and cyber), continual training and certifications, an effective response to warning signs, and building partnerships with law enforcement, private security professionals, and every member of the community.

Final Reflections

My specific response to the racism scandal addressed by the New Jersey Attorney General in the article titled After 3 years and $1.5M, cops in N.J. racism scandal could face discipline is the following:

Vanquishing Racism, Bigotry, Hate: A Reflection on the Holocaust 

“The dark chapter of the holocaust must have eternal lessons for humanity.

“All of us must be completely dedicated to forever vanquishing hatred from the face of the earth.

“Hatred is a reality, as well as with a lack of tolerance toward anyone who is different.

“America must stand against all who violate the principles of our Constitution, Bill of Rights, and every noble principle of humanity.

“The character of the good people of America will rise to the occasion.

“We will overcome hatred and be reawakened because tolerance, respect, and charity are the heartbeat that unites us.”

About the Author

Vincent J. Bove is a national speaker and author on critical American issues. He has eighteen cover stories for The Chief of Police and 300 articles in numerous publications. His most recent books are Reawakening America and Listen to Their Cries.

Bove is recipient of the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award, and former confidant for the New York Yankees.

He served as spokesperson for a coalition of Virginia Tech tragedy victim’s families, and has conducted extensive leadership presentations for the FBI, the United States Military Academy, law enforcement, educators, security professionals, and students nationwide.

 “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

Note Well: This report was published as a partnership of Reawakening America LLC with the National Association of Chiefs of Police on March 5, 2024.

The report compliments the previous published work titled 21st Century American Policing Demands Ethical Leadership, published for The Chief of Police, Summer 2023 hard copy and website editions.

Bove has 18 cover stories for the National Association of Chiefs of Police and authored a total of sixty articles for the association for 15 consecutive years.

Publication Editor's Testimonial: 

"Thank you very much for your contribution "21st Century Policing: Issues and Response." The piece serves as a significant asset to the discourse surrounding law enforcement, particularly amidst the challenges of our current era.  Your dedication to addressing pertinent issues is commendable and greatly appreciated."

"Every one of your articles in your vast collection have been immensely important to the continued improvement of American law enforcement."  Publication Editor, The Chief of Police

Photos

1. Florence American Cemetery, Impruneta, Italy, June 21, 2023. Photo: Reawakening America LLC (RALLC)

2. Florence American Cemetery, Impruneta, Italy and Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy, June 21, 2023 and July 1, 2023 collage. Photo: (RALLC).

3. The Chief of Police, Reawakening American Policing cover story, Summer 2020 by VJB.

4. Shared Responsibility Quote, VJB (Photo Background courtesy RALLC)

5. Port Authority Police Officer, World Trade Center 30^th anniversary of first attack, Feb. 26, 2024. (Photo Courtesy NYPD News on X)

6. Active Shooter Quote VJB, Photo RALLC.

7. NYPD promotion, Feb. 23, 2024 (Photo Credit NYPD News on X)

8. Protecting Houses of Worship Cover, The Chief of Police Spring 2015.

9. NYPD Officer, Times Square, 12/31/2023 (Courtesy NYPD Chief of Depart. on X) 

10. Reawakening America book cover with pics from Bove keynote titled  America's Drug Crisis: Issue and Response, Champion, PA, Oct. 20, 2017 for PAHMA.

11. Character quote VJB from The Chief of Police cover story American Government Requires Leaders of Character, Summer 2018.

Related Coverage:

America’s Armed Forces: A Special Tribute

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

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Principles of American Policing

Although Sir Robert Peel’s Nine Policing Principles are timeless, contemporary issues demand principles complementing tradition while respecting current realities. Therefore, I have developed Nine Principles of American Policing to enhance dialogue, communication, and trust between police and communities…continue reading

America’s Mass Shooter Crisis Demands Visionary Leadership

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Echoes of Columbine: School Violence Awareness and Prevention

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School Violence Warning Signs through the Prism of Uvalde’s Tragedy, 2022.

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…continue reading

Five Preliminary Tips for Improving American School Security, 2018.

The world is watching America’s response to the ongoing school violence crisis. There are challenges, controversies, and confusions, but there are remedies, countermeasures, and prevention principles. As a response to the issues, here are five preliminary tips…continue reading

American Teachers: Inspire the Heart and Transform the Country, 2014

In one of my experiences, while conducting an assessment for a school district, a student approached me with a commentary of what can happen without a culture of caring. The student told me that each day when she came to school she felt “invisible”…continue reading

Crisis of Leadership: A Response to the Virginia Tech Panel Report, 2007, by Vincent J. Bove

In a post Columbine, 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina society, the demand for leadership by those entrusted with the safety and security of others has never been such a clear priority. As mentioned in the introduction…read more

Virginia Tech Articles in the Sentinel by Vincent J. Bove, 2007 — 2017.

Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools, 1999.

To Protect & Educate: The School Resource Officer and the Prevention of Violence in Schools, 2012.

School Bullying: A Matter of Life and Death, 2016 by Vincent J. Bove

Preventing Bullying: A Manual for Schools and Communities. USDOE 1998

Practical Information on Crisis Planning, 2007. 

Justice Department Releases Report on its Critical Incident Review of the Response to the Mass Shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas

Testimonials

Vincent,

Your special report is now live and featured prominently on https://www.copmag.org/ 

The depth and breadth of your analysis on all things law enforcement is truly impressive. I am glad you're amenable to sharing your vast knowledge with our readers as well as all the agencies and personnel you met on your epic trip. 

Your contributions to the betterment of American law enforcement are nothing short of monumental.

Thank you!

Editor, National Association of Chiefs of Police

Mr. Bove:

We want to thank you for attending our working group meeting last week in Lake Forest and addressing our law enforcement partners.  

Your words of encouragement and the importance of being open to encountering individuals provided a valuable perspective that can positively influence interactions between law enforcement and the community. 

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and wisdom with our working group. Your dedication to the law enforcement profession is truly commendable.  

Respectfully,

Genoveva (Veva) Gomez

Analyst / TFA FBI LBRA-5

Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center

Orange County Sheriff’s Department