The images were taken first hand as we responded to Hurricane Katrina. Third Day’s “Cry Out to Jesus” was the only song fitting to use. My dear friend Rachelle Hitt Bilbo created this piece and shared a disk with me in 2005. I watched it once, then put it and the memories away. It is a beautiful testimony to the compassion of law enforcement officers as we drove buses, gave water, comforted the old and young and helped bring a slice of […]
The images were taken first hand as we responded to Hurricane Katrina. Third Day’s “Cry Out to Jesus” was the only song fitting to use. My dear friend Rachelle Hitt Bilbo created this piece and shared a disk with me in 2005. I watched it once, then put it and the memories away. It is a beautiful testimony to the compassion of law enforcement officers as we drove buses, gave water, comforted the old and young and helped bring a slice of […]
At Buddy Walk Fund Raiser supporting Down syndrome group, Blessed By Downs. I was asked to welcome the large, excited group at the last minute. Coming up empty for words (a rarity) I handed the microphone to Max. What else does a Prayer Warriors do?
“Step forward now, policeman,
You’ve borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven’s streets,
You’ve done your time in hell.”
Johnny Paycheck popularized this song originally written by David Allen Coe in 1977, and despite having been his only #1 hit, we recall with clarity those famous words, “Take this job and shove it.” He sings about the dissatisfaction and hurt of a man who gave his life to his work without reciprocation of reward. Ok, I’m not quitting, but it gets your attention. It also gains the attention of supervisors, Chiefs and Mayors who ask, “Why?” Well, there are many reasons […]
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I wrote this post about a month ago after becoming connected with a wonderful young man in the UK – @JourneyJoshuas (#SuperJosh), and seeing that my friend and Brother in Blue JB held that simple sign reading “I Beat Cancer.” We posted his picture on our department page and was amazed that 96,000 people “liked” his healing and our prayer of praise for His healing mercy. I have since been accepted into the realm of supporters for this 12-year old wonder boy […]
An Act of Not-So-Random Kindness I regularly contribute to Law Enforcement Today that hosts a members and internal messaging section. I have become connected through e-mail with a California Police Department’s Chaplain, having exchanged a few messages for personal introductions. This week while praying over a difficult situation, I happened to log onto LET to receive the message included below. I’ve removed his name and contact information, but leave his simple gesture and act of kindness. I consider it not-random because I […]
This is a two-part series about the needs, challenges and promises for revolutionizing the profession of policing. We have performed brilliantly at times, and with an openness for improvement, we will be brilliant always. CHANGING the CULTURE and HISTORY of POLICING PART 2 This is where the executives become increasingly interested. There are zero additional expenses associated with the implementation of the DDACTS (Data-Driven Approaches to Crime and Traffic Safety) philosophy, strategy or tactic. Officers already assigned to Patrol are, or should […]
The Old Bull & the Young Bull Written for LET and published this week about the Oakland PD searching for positive change, and the nature of Blue Culture.
This is a two-part series about the needs, challenges and promises for revolutionizing the profession of policing. We have performed brilliantly at times, and with an openness for improvement, we will be brilliant always. Changing the culture and history of policing
This is a two-part series about the needs, challenges and promises for revolutionizing the profession of policing. We have performed brilliantly at times, and with an openness for improvement, we will be brilliant always. CHANGING THE CULTURE AND HISTORY OF POLICING PART 1 The apple never really falls far from the tree, and this remains a truism of policing’s reactive paradigm of responding to crime. The tree I’m referring to is England’s tithing system begun in 648 A.D. that included […]
This is a two-part series about the needs, challenges and promises for revolutionizing the profession of policing. We have performed brilliantly at times, and with an openness for improvement, we will be brilliant always. Changing the culture and history of policing
The Most Powerful Sermon My son and I moved to the city where I accepted the chief of police position. I (we) are always on the go and the weekends together are spent making up for everyone and everywhere we miss. I will share with you that he has Down syndrome and was 5 years old at the time. He does not know the days of the week, the hours of the day, and relied on sign language due to underdeveloped verbal […]
I Love You… There, I said it. Actually, I said it Wednesday night to my entire agency during our annual Blue Summit. I am not a “tree-hugging” chief of police, but I do believe that a key part of sincere leadership is allowing yourself to be human to your staff. I also remind them that I prayed with expectancy before accepting the position, as God led me to this city to serve Him, them and our citizens. Sharing the vision, the bigger […]
The Sociology of Racism.