This episode of What's New in Blue features Dr. Jon Sheinberg, a Board Certified Cardiologist and sworn officer from Texas, who discusses the prevalence of coronary disease in law enforcement and offers suggested measures for officers to prevent heart attacks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yL_XUcuc7K8

5 ways police leaders can make every day count

We should put in as much effort on our last day as a leader as we did on our first day

February 02, 2024 04:58 PM • 

Lyons Hale

Photo/DALL-E

Read this article to uncover:

• How sharing your experience and knowledge as a leader in law enforcement can create a lasting legacy and positively influence the next generation.
• The importance of lifelong learning and staying current with law enforcement trends and methodologies, even as you approach the end of your career.
• Why providing equal opportunities for growth and professional development to all team members is crucial for a fair and forward-thinking work environment.
• The significance of self-reflection on your original motivations for becoming a leader, and how it can guide your actions and decisions in your career’s later stages.
• The perspective that titles and ranks are transient, and the true value of a career in law enforcement lies in the impact made on your team and community.

I have been in law enforcement for nearly 26 years. It’s hard to believe that the 22-year-old who once joked with his chief about the chief being a cop longer than he had been alive is now walking in his shoes. I don’t feel that old, nor does it seem like I have been in law enforcement for so long. Despite my feeling young at heart, the “serving since 1998” pin on my uniform often prompts friends and co-workers to ask, “So, how long do you have left?”

This question is common for anyone in law enforcement with a similar length of service as mine. People ask for different reasons. Some want to know when you’re leaving so that they can plot their future. Others ask because they see you as an asset they don’t want to lose. A more concerning reason is if they view you as an impediment to progress and are eagerly waiting for your retirement.

The responses to this question are as diverse as the reasons behind it. When I ask others the most common answer is a precise countdown like “321 days, 12 hours, 8 minutes, and 3 seconds.” While this response often makes me laugh, it also points to a concerning trend I have noticed over the years. Leaders nearing retirement tend to shift into neutral, merely counting down their days. This is the opposite of what we should be doing. We should be putting in as much effort on our last day as we did throughout our careers, making every day count, including the last.

Here are five ways I suggest police leaders can make every day meaningful, including their last day in charge.

1. Reflect on your motivation for becoming a leader.

This step may not apply if your primary reason for seeking leadership was higher pay or benefits. However, many people may pursue career advancement with a desire to improve conditions for their team. This should be a key motivator for anyone aiming for a formal leadership role. Ask yourself, are you still making things better for your team? If so, continue to do so until your last day. Identify what matters most and strive to implement it. As a leader, you can effect change for your team.

2. Share your knowledge!

The moment you walk out the door, your knowledge walks with you, unless you pass it on. I am not just talking about knowing the best coffee shop; I mean the valuable insights, tips and tricks you have learned over the years. In most agencies, there is an art to getting things accomplished, often involving knowing the right people. Don’t keep those things to yourself. Share your knowledge so that your successor can begin from a position of strength, ready to continue driving the team forward.

3. Never stop learning.

Many people nearing the end of their careers stop attending classes and conferences. Not me. I try to learn as much new information as possible. How can you lead effectively if you are not up to date on the latest trends in law enforcement? How can you evaluate your team’s performance and policy compliance if you’re not receiving the same current training as they are? Even if your position exempts you from certain training requirements, attend those sessions anyway. It’s vital to stay informed and knowledgeable.

4. Facilitate learning and growth for everyone.

Don’t overlook those who might succeed you. Ensure they also have opportunities to attend training and conferences. If you stay engaged and educated but don’t allow your staff the same opportunities, you’re doing them a disservice. I recommend sending your team to a variety of training courses and conferences, budget permitting. The more they learn, the better prepared they will be to take over when you leave.

5. Avoid choosing your replacement.

Many leaders identify capable individuals who could assume their role upon departure. However, it’s important not to play favorites. Often, the decision of who will take over your position isn’t yours to make. Provide everyone with equal opportunities to learn from you, attend training and be prepared for your departure. Some will seize this opportunity, and some won’t. Your responsibility is to ensure that each team member has the same chance to succeed. The rest is in their hands..

Here’s a bonus tip, a little lagniappe from my New Orleans roots. “Lagniappe” means “a little something extra,” and it’s a term I cherish, along with “y’all.” So, here’s number 6: Remember, you can’t take it with you. The moment you walk out the door, titles like Chief or Captain become part of your past. I’ll no longer be Captain Lyons Hale; I’ll just be Lyons. The title will belong to my successor. I won’t be a Retired Captain or Former Captain, just Lyons. And that’s enough because I can be Lyons better than anyone else. The same goes for you. Forget about the perks and titles; what truly matters is the impact you’ve made on your team’s lives. That should be more valuable than any title or perk you’ve earned throughout your career.

By the way, if you were to ask me how much longer I have, my answer is that I’m not sure. But one thing is certain: every day I’m here will be a day dedicated to my team.

Action items after reading this article

After reading this article, here are questions and action items for police leaders:

Question: “Am I still actively working to improve conditions for my team, and what motivated me to become a leader in the first place?”

Action items:

• Revisit your career goals and the reasons you chose law enforcement leadership, perhaps through journaling or professional coaching.
• Initiate projects or policies that align with your original motivations, focusing on team welfare and community impact.
• Seek feedback from your team and peers to understand your current influence and areas for improvement.

Question: “Have I effectively shared my accumulated insights, tips and tricks with my team to ensure they are well-equipped for future challenges?”

Action items:

• Organize regular training sessions or workshops where you can share your experiences and insights with the team.
• Implement a mentorship program within your department, pairing experienced officers with newer recruits.
• Document your knowledge in guides or manuals that can be easily accessed by team members even after your retirement.

Question: “Am I continually updating my knowledge and skills to stay relevant in law enforcement, and how am I encouraging my team to do the same?”

Action items:

• Enroll in contemporary law enforcement courses and encourage your team to do the same, possibly providing incentives for completing such courses.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning by integrating regular training updates into team meetings or briefings.
• Stay informed about the latest industry trends and technologies by subscribing to law enforcement journals and attending relevant conferences.

Question: “Am I providing equal opportunities for all team members to learn and grow, preparing them for leadership roles in the future?”

Action items:

• Create a transparent process for professional development opportunities, ensuring equal access for all team members.
• Identify and offer various types of training that cater to different career paths within law enforcement.
• Encourage cross-functional experiences, such as rotating roles within the department to broaden team skills and perspectives.

Question: “Am I avoiding favoritism in the succession process and ensuring a fair opportunity for every team member to advance?”

Action items:

• Develop a succession planning program that identifies and prepares potential leaders through targeted training and mentorship.
• Foster an environment where all team members can display their leadership potential, not just those who are already in the spotlight.
• Involve HR or higher management in the succession process to ensure objectivity and fairness in selecting your successor.

Multiple victims in mass shooting at Morgan State University in Baltimore

Police say at least four people were shot in an "active shooter situation" on campus; the area was under a shelter-in-place order for several hours

Yesterday at 10:29 PM

Updated at 11:05 p.m. on Oct. 3: 

By Lea Skene
Associated Press

BALTIMORE — At least four people were wounded, none critically, in a shooting at Morgan State University in Baltimore on Tuesday, according to authorities, who urged students to take shelter on the campus of the historically Black college.

A Baltimore City Fire Department truck stages at Morgan State University during a shooting on the campus Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, in Baltimore. (Jerry Jackson/The Baltimore Sun via AP)

The Baltimore Police Department initially said officers were on the scene for an "active shooter situation."  The address given for the shooting appeared to match a residential building that's on the same block as a city police station.

"We're asking everyone to shelter in place and avoid the area," police said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. About three hours later police said it was no longer an active shooter situation and said more details were expected at a media briefing.

Police spokesperson Vernon Davis told the Baltimore Banner that at least four people were shot.
Police spokesperson Amanda Krotki also said there were multiple victims with non-life-threatening injuries.

City Council member Ryan Dorsey said on X that "it's believed there were three shooters firing into the crowd." No arrests were announced.

At the scene Tuesday night, officers were blocking off the south entrance to campus near dorm buildings while a police helicopter circled overhead.

The shooting happened amid a week of activities ahead of the school's homecoming game on Saturday.

The coronation of Mister & Miss Morgan State was scheduled for Tuesday night at the Murphy Fine Arts Center, one of the areas the school urged people to avoid.

Glenmore Blackwood came to the campus after hearing from his son, a senior who told him the shooting occurred just as festivities for the coronation were concluding.

Blackwood said his son was sheltering in place in the arts center's auditorium. He sang in the ceremony and was planning to host a prayer service afterward.

"That's my son. He's going to make sure I know he's OK," Blackwood said. "It's just sad. They were doing a good thing — an event to promote positivity — and all this negativity happens."

Ish Sargent, 20, who lives nearby, said she and her friends came outside when they heard the helicopter. They didn't hear gunshots. Sargent said she doesn't usually worry about gun violence in the area.

"At a school though, that's crazy," she said. "People just out here shooting."

The university with an enrollment of about 9,000 students was founded in 1867 as the Centenary Biblical Institute, with an initial mission of training men for ministry, according to its website. It moved to its current site in northeast Baltimore in 1917 and was purchased by the state of Maryland in 1939 as it aimed to provide more opportunities for Black citizens.

Original reporting:

By Lea Skene
Associated Press

BALTIMORE — Multiple people were shot at Morgan State University in Baltimore on Tuesday, police said.
The Baltimore Police Department said officers were on the scene for an "active shooter situation" on the campus of the historically Black university. The address given for the shooting appeared to match a residential building.

"We're asking everyone to shelter in place and avoid the area," police said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Police spokesperson Vernon Davis told the Baltimore Banner that at least four people were shot. Their conditions weren't immediately known.

Police spokesperson Amanda Krotki also said "multiple victims" were shot.

City Council member Odette Ramos said on X that students and staff were ordered to shelter in place.

At the scene Tuesday night, officers were blocking off the south entrance to campus near dorm buildings while a police helicopter circled overhead.

Ish Sargent, 20, who lives nearby, said she and her friends came outside when they heard the helicopter. They didn't hear gunshots. Sargent said she doesn't usually worry about gun violence in the area.

"At a school though, that's crazy," she said. "People just out here shooting."

The university reported an enrollment of more than 9,000 students as of late 2022 and said it is growing. The shooting happened amid a week of activities ahead of the school's homecoming game on Saturday. The coronation of Mister & Miss Morgan State was scheduled for Tuesday night at the Murphy Fine Arts Center, one of the areas the school urged people to avoid after the shooting.

Judge dismisses charges against Philly officer in fatal shooting during traffic stop

"When police officers ordered him to show his hands, he instead produced a weapon and pointed it at an armed police officer. In no world (are) those facts murder," a defense attorney said

Sep 26, 2023

By Maryclaire Dale
Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA — A judge has dismissed all charges, including a murder count, against a Philadelphia police officer who shot and killed a driver.

Philadelphia Municipal Judge Wendy Pew made her ruling Tuesday after watching video of the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Eddie Irizarry. The defense had asserted that Officer Mark Dial was acting in self-defense when he fired his weapon at close range through the rolled-up driver’s side window of Irizarry’s sedan during a vehicle stop on Aug. 14.

Defense lawyer Brian McMonagle had urged Pew to drop all charges, which included manslaughter, official oppression and four other counts.

Dial's bail had been revoked this month after prosecutors argued the charges made him ineligible for release.

Police bodycam footage shows Dial firing his weapon at close range through the rolled-up driver’s side window of Irizarry’s sedan during a vehicle stop. Dial shot Irizarry about seven seconds after getting out of a police SUV and walking over to his car, the video showed.  

Defense lawyers called the shooting justified. They said the officer, also 27, thought Irizarry had a gun. The bodycam footage shows the driver holding a knife by his right leg.

Dial's partner, Officer Michael Morris, testified Tuesday that the pair had been following Irizarry, who was driving erratically, turned the wrong way down a one-way street, and stopped. Morris said Irizarry had a knife in his hand and started to raise it as the officers approached.

“I screamed that he had a knife,” said Morris, adding the knife had a black metal handle that could have been mistaken for a gun.

District Attorney Larry Krasner has called bodycam videos from Morris and Dial “crucial evidence in the case,” saying they “speak for themselves.”

The defense blasted Krasner's decision to charge Dial with murder.

“When police officers ordered him to show his hands, he instead produced a weapon and pointed it at an armed police officer,” lawyer Brian McMonagle told reporters this month. “In no world (are) those facts murder.”

The police department had to backtrack from initial statements that said Dial shot the driver outside the vehicle after he “lunged at” police with a knife. Dial, a five-year member of the force, was suspended with the intent to dismiss after officials said he refused to cooperate with investigators.

PUBIC SAFETY OFFICER APPRECIATION WEEK  

The Executive Board of Directors of the Texas System Police Association paused to celebrate and appreciate UT System Police Public Safety Officers. The association held this event at Ojeda's Mexican Restaurant in Desoto, Texas, on Sept. 23, 2023. The association presented the following awards to the following members:   

The TSPA John Mulloy Leadership Award was awarded to campus police employees or officers in leadership positions who have demonstrated exemplary leadership and commitment to service through deeds, resulting in a measurable benefit to their peers, service, and community.   

• Public Safety Officer Supervisor Quentin Booker
• Public Safety Officer Supervisor Eboni Ross

The President of TSPA presents the TSPA Distinguish Shield Award to members of the association whose morals and ethical values have displayed positivism, compassion, trustworthiness, honesty, respect, and responsibility. This person has kept a positive attitude in the present and toward the future of any situation, assists peers and others to their abilities, and always does so with great attitude and selflessness.  

• Public Safety Officer Merbel Anaya
• Public Safety Officer Micheal McLemore
• Public Safety Officer Benedicto Carrion 
• Public Safety Officer Tiskal Cambell
• Public Safety Officer Jithesh Mukundan 
• Public Safety Officer LaWanna Briggs 
• Public Safety Officer Alejandra Zavaleta-Melara

The Meritorious Service Award recognizes association members for honorable service in campus law enforcement and is usually issued at retirement. 

• Public Safety Officer Merriell Williams 
• Public Safety Officer Tommy Wolfrum

Cert. of Commendation is an award issued to TSPA members whose actions deserve to be commended for an outstanding act while performing their duties. 

• Public Safety Officer LaWanna Briggs 
• Public Safety Officer Tiskal Cambell
• Public Safety Officer Merriell Williams 

New museum dedicated to telling story of nation's oldest law enforcement agency

Throughout the museum, guests will learn the full story of the Marshals, which dates back to the ratification of the U.S. Constitution

Today at 6:00 AM

By Sarah Roebuck
Police1

FORT SMITH, Ark. — A new interactive museum in Arkansas is dedicated to telling the story of the Marshals, the nation's oldest law enforcement agency, the Thinkwell Group announced. 

The U.S. Marshals Museum is an interactive experience located on the historic banks of the Arkansas River. The Thinkwell Group, a design and production agency, was responsible for the design, production and delivery of the experience.

Throughout the museum, guests will learn the full story of the Marshals, which dates back to the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. 

"The story of the U.S. Marshals is the story of America – of struggling to live up to the ‘glorious promise’ of the Constitution,” Cynthia Sharpe, Senior Principal at Thinkwell and Executive Creative Director on the project said. “We had to create a space in which guests could engage with some really challenging moments in the nation's history, but also balance it with the fun and larger-than-life stories of the U.S. Marshals Service."

Look at Video 

https://youtu.be/bak1lI6sZHY

Vt. officer, aged 19, killed after suspect crashed into police cruiser during pursuit

Rutland PD Officer Jessica Ebbighausen, a part-time officer, was scheduled to start training in August at the Vermont Police Academy to become a full-time officer

Duty Death: Jessica Ebbighausen - [Rutland, Vermont]

End of Service: 07/07/2023

Today at 11:26 AM

Associated Press

RUTLAND, Vt. — A Vermont police officer was killed and two other officers were injured when a burglary suspect crashed into two police cruisers pursuing him, Vermont State Police said.

Rutland City Police Officer Jessica Ebbighausen, 19, was killed on Friday afternoon. The crash happened as police chased a vehicle driven by Tate Rheaume, 20, a suspect in an attempted break-in at a house, state police said.

Evidence indicates that Rheaume crossed the centerline and collided head-on with Ebbighausen's cruiser, police said. The suspect's truck also hit another police cruiser.

Ebbighausen was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other officers and Rheaume were taken to Rutland Regional Medical Center for what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries, police said. Rheaume was transferred to the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington.

State police said they are investigating the role impairment and speed played in the crash and are working with the Rutland County state's attorney on potential charges. It was not immediately known if Rheaume is being represented by an attorney.

Ebbighausen, of Ira, Vermont, started working with the Rutland Police Department in May as a part-time officer, state police said. She was scheduled to start training in August at the Vermont Police Academy to become a full-time officer, police said.

Ill. police department unveils Juneteenth-themed squad car

Aurora Police Chief Keith Cross said he hopes the vehicle will serve as a community engagement tool

Today at 6:00 AM

By Megan Jones
The Beacon-News, Aurora, Ill.

AURORA, Ill. —The Aurora Police Department, in conjunction with the city's African American Heritage Advisory Board, unveiled a special custom-wrapped squad car Wednesday in honor of Juneteenth.

Aurora Police Chief Keith Cross said he hopes the vehicle will serve as a community engagement tool.

"Not only will it spark interest and conversation between our officers and members of the community, but also highlight our efforts to embrace and highlight various cultures," Cross said.

Mayor Richard Irvin said Aurora Police Officer William Whitfield and other Black officers brought the idea for the car to the city as a way to educate and unite residents through conversations over the Juneteenth holiday.

"I did not hesitate to approve it," Irvin said. "This is not a solution to easily fix a generations-old problem, but it's a good step to keep us moving in the right direction."

Whitfield said he hopes the design helps break a barrier between the Black community and police officers.

The wrap was designed and paid for by the advisory board and will be on the car for the next two weeks, Cross said.

The car will be featured in a Juneteenth Car Parade hosted by the Community Advocacy Awareness Network with a lineup starting at 2:15 p.m. Saturday at the Phillips Park entrance on Smith Street in Aurora. The Kane County Sheriff's Office has provided traffic control for the event for the past three years.

The parade will begin at 3:15 p.m. and will travel from Smith Street to Fifth Avenue, then to Farnsworth Avenue and to Grand Boulevard before ending at Martin Luther King Park, 42 N. Farnsworth Ave., for the city's Juneteenth celebration. The celebration in the park will go until 7 p.m.

Aurora Chief Communications and Equity Officer Clayton Muhammad said the police car design is a wonderful movement in the right direction.

"It is a statement of what happened here in this nation and how to are attempting to right wrongs and rectify and balance and level the playing field," Muhammad said.

"We know challenges lie ahead of us as we continue," Whitfield said. "We are prepared to continue fighting to bring equality and diversity to our community."

The car will be featured in a Juneteenth Car Parade hosted by the Community Advocacy Awareness Network with a lineup starting at 2:15 p.m. Saturday at the Phillips Park entrance on Smith Street in Aurora. The Kane County Sheriff's Office has provided traffic control for the event for the past three years.

The parade will begin at 3:15 p.m. and will travel from Smith Street to Fifth Avenue, then to Farnsworth Avenue and to Grand Boulevard before ending at Martin Luther King Park, 42 N. Farnsworth Ave., for the city's Juneteenth celebration. The celebration in the park will go until 7 p.m.

Aurora Chief Communications and Equity Officer Clayton Muhammad said the police car design is a wonderful movement in the right direction.

"It is a statement of what happened here in this nation and how to are attempting to right wrongs and rectify and balance and level the playing field," Muhammad said.

"We know challenges lie ahead of us as we continue," Whitfield said. "We are prepared to continue fighting to bring equality and diversity to our community."

Registration - 2023 IACLEA Annual Conference & Exposition (cvent.com)

The Victory Over Violence event on April 15, 2023 includes a 5K walk/run as well as a 1K fun run through Trinity Park in Fort Worth. We are proud to be celebrating our 26th annual race!

This event exists to raise funds in support of The Women’s Center’s services that empower survivors of sexual assault, child sexual abuse, and other violent crimes. More than that, we hope to raise awareness about how these issues affect women, men, and children in our community.

This family-friendly event features a dedicated Kids’ Zone area and K-12 school teams. This race is a favorite among cause-focused organizations in Tarrant County, with many corporate teams and community partners participating year after year.

Adults: $20

Children: $15

Minimum number of team members REQUIRED for TSPA: 10

Register Here...

https://mytspa.org/event-4944138