During your career, you'll hear all too often familiar phrases repeated, some may not be worth repeating but some are lifesavers. I've developed a short list of maxims that good leaders reiterate and young officers should heed.
September 16, 2013
Many officers focus on what's important to them in their current assignment, or ask why they should take courses they will never use. If you're seeking command positions, you'll have to supervise specialties where you have limited, if any, practical working knowledge.
September 4, 2013
Great mentors seem to live for the teaching moments of life. It is easy to scream at someone who makes a mistake. It takes patience to seize a mistake and turn it into a learning experience. The leader who takes you aside for a teaching moment is a real leader.
August 21, 2013
Police departments are not powered by electricity or petroleum; they run off rumor and innuendo. If you start something new and don't tell anyone, the rumor mill will create its job description.
July 2, 2013
I live by one theory—the thing that you fear the most is always lurking around the corner. Train smart, train hard and turn your weakness to strength.
March 11, 2013
First and foremost, counseling is an art that you don't master the first time or by suffering through a boring psychological lecture. You learn by doing. You'll make mistakes, and you'll have to work hard every time you provide counsel.
September 19, 2012
Teaching can be a perishable skill, so you've got to practice. There are several outlets for an FTO to practice his or her skill set. We want to keep the mind sharp by providing a workout for the instructional part of the brain.
July 16, 2012
More than 740 of the best police trainers gathered last week for the annual training conference of the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA) in Wheeling, Ill., for a week that was packed with training, lectures and interactive classes.
April 23, 2012
I've always believed that the FTO should be the first one registered for training. If they are to pass on the knowledge, they have to be the sharpest. They need to be the ones leading way to embrace and implement change for the good.
June 13, 2011
This book differs from similar collective works in the sheer passion of the writers. For once, they are allowed to write from their inner warrior's soul. You will sense a certain energy from the contributors that you do not normally sense in this genre of writing.
June 24, 2010
Set the learning and work standards and stick to them. None of the "good enough for government work" crap. Teach your recruits to work, train, and earn their keep.
April 27, 2010