As law enforcement and public safety officials, we are often called upon to mediate conflicts.

These conflicts can be internal between officers, or external between members of the public, or a combination of the two where an officer has a conflict with a citizen. By applying the character quality of forgiveness to a conflict resolution strategy, many conflicts can be resolved effectively. When I was first exposed to this technique, I was skeptical, and even thought it was a bit hokey. But after using it several times, and NEVER having it fail, I became convinced of its power as a conflict mediation technique.

Unforgiveness results in many of the internal conflicts, relationship issues, grudges, and job-related stress that plague our law enforcement and public safety agencies. Join me for a thought experiment that shows the power of forgiveness.

FORGIVENESS
Clearing the record of wrongs and refusing to hold a grudge

Level 1 Forgiveness is hard enough. But can you make it to Level 2? Or would you rather keep drinking the “cup of bitterness?” And don’t confuse forgiveness with pardon. Let me know what you think.

I recently received this endorsement from a sergeant working for a Sheriff’s Office in Wisconsin.  I think it’s the best endorsement Police Dynamics has ever received.

“I have attended two Leadership seminars in which Ray Nash was the primary speaker. The first time I heard him speak was at the Badger Sheriff’s Association Conference. After that first event, I immediately recognized that this guy gets it. Ray is a cop’s cop and he understands the cop mindset. As an instructor myself, I can honestly tell you that Ray knows his stuff and he is a very “dynamic” instructor. I kind of laugh when I say that word, because I remember Ray defining the word “dynamic” for us in class and giving us the Latin breakdown (What a geek! ….just kidding of course).

“As far as how Ray’s training has impacted my agency, here’s what I can tell you. I have seen a marked difference in the individuals who attended the Police Dynamics Leadership training. My agency (more…)

In a nutshell, the Police Dynamics program is a character-based approach to dealing with the challenges facing law enforcement officers and their agencies. Over 10,000 law enforcement officers and government leaders from around the world have benefited from the training. In light of recent events and the new challenges being presented to our law enforcement officers, the principles of Police Dynamics are needed now more than ever.

I am putting together my training calendar for 2016-2017. So if you or your agency would like to host a Police Dynamics seminar, please contact me right away and I will send you a training proposal.

Police Dynamics teaches officers how to:

• Keep their egos in check when their authority is challenged
• Re-build trust-based relationships even in the most troubled and crime-ridden neighborhoods
• Generate voluntary compliance by relying on positional authority instead of ego-power
  
• Stabilize and strengthen internal relationships that generate stress and conflict
  
• Develop leadership capacity throughout the agency
• Encourage and motivate each other to the highest levels of morale and performance
• Practice ethical decision-making when under stress or facing temptation
• Faithfully represent the principles and standards of the agency and profession
• Exercise discretion in a just and legally defensible manner
• Respectfully make appeals when an authority is in the wrong or faced with conflicting instructions
• Use tactical communications to overcome resistance and de-escalate tension without resorting to physical force
• Implement proven crime-fighting strategies that reduce the fear, apathy, tolerance for crime, and mistrust of the police that fuel criminal activity
• Exceed citizen expectations to build confidence and support
• Successfully navigate the complexities of building trust-based relationships among diverse groups
• Establish, Embrace, Encourage, Embody, and Enforce the highest standards of professional excellence

Well, I lost my “re-election” bid so I am refocusing on my efforts to promote Police Dynamics and my position as Director of the Sheriff’s Institute for Credible Leadership Development. We were honored to receive the endorsement of Sheriff Greg Champagne, the newly inducted President of the National Sheriff’s Association, as his primary priority:

Sheriff Greg Champagne

“First and foremost, I will be aggressively promoting NSA’s partnership with the International Academy of Public Safety and the new leadership and ethics courses that we have endorsed and offer to all sheriffs. While these are tough times for law enforcement, we have to be open to new ideas and ways of doing business to continue to build and reinforce the trust we enjoy in our counties and parishes. I urge all sheriffs to take a good, hard look at this training program. It will be one of the best initiatives you will ever undertake.”
Sheriff Greg Champagne
St. Charles Parrish, LA

Seasoned law enforcement leaders recognize that there is an intricate link between officer morale and performance. Consequently, the morale of any law enforcement agency impacts the crime rate.

Those of us in police leadership must be actively engaged in showing our police officers, deputy sheriffs, and correctional officers that they are appreciated, encouraged, and motivated to fight crime and maintain the law, order, health, safety, and morals of their communities, whether on the streets or inside the detention facility. Making the Character Connection by praising them for the character quality that produced outstanding achievement is an excellent way of improving morale and fighting crime. Remember,

“Failure to Motivate Is Failure to Lead.”

Yes, you read that right! I am coming out of “retirement” to run for Sheriff again. As crazy as it sounds, I spent about 9 months in prayerful consideration and feel compelled to do this again.

There are two primary factors that led me to this decision. First, the Homicide Rate in Dorchester County has sky-rocketed since I left office in 2009. We are now twice the state average in one of the most violent states in America. Second, the number of current and former deputies who are calling me back into service. Morale is frighteningly low with a correspondent high turnover rate. Deputies are leaving in droves and dozens have reached out to encourage me to re-enter the fray.

SOURCES: CivicDashboards.com, FBI, Post & Courier

When I was in Office, we implemented the crime-fighting strategies and leadership principles of Police Dynamics to keep crime low and morale high. So, here I am running around the country, and internationally, teaching these principles that we know really work, while my home county is struggling.

I am asking my colleagues, supporters, and Police Dynamics students to join me in this effort. Every campaign needs finances to run on, and we are no exception. So, if you feel led to do so, I encourage you to go to our campaign website at SheriffRayNash.com where you can sign up for updates, volunteer, or donate. All donations are welcome, no matter how small.

But more than that, I would really need a short endorsement from you. Just 4 or 5 lines of why you think I would make a good Sheriff or how my teachings have impacted you.

Here is our first internet-based ad. Please let me hear from you soon…

These two videos are part of a series on the History of the Office of Sheriff and the Constitutional Authority of Elected Executives. Recorded at the 2016 SC Tea Party Coalition Conference at Myrtle Beach, I explore the Common Law history of the Office and the authority that has been vested in constitutional officers. It’s important for those of us in the law enforcement profession to know our roots and the foundation of our authority.

The International Academy of Public Safety is in the process of incorporating this curriculum into the Sheriff’s Institute for Credible Leadership Development, the online leadership academy of the National Sheriff’s Association.

Mitch Javidi (President of the International Academy of Public Safety) and I had the privilege of presenting the Dynamics of Credible Leadership to a group of genuine American heroes from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. We appreciate Sheriff Dean‘s vision for bringing this training to his agency. Here are some of the outstanding evaluations we received from the participants:

• I enjoyed the infusion of morality paired with people-centered change.

• Excellent presenters. Great time with all of my co-workers.

• Truly outstanding workshop. The best leadership training I have ever received.

• This was a class that not only benefited me, but would be wonderful for my peers to get the same experience. (more…)

The Second Law of Thermodynamics, also known as the Law of Entropy, states that all matter and energy is in bondage to decay. It always tends toward greater levels of disorder and chaos. Our law enforcement organizations and communities are the same way. We have to invest time and energy to maintain order, establish peace, and prolong stability. This training segment discusses the Law of Entropy as it relates to police management and leadership theory.

Many thanks to Kaelan Patel for serving as my videographer during our “Kabul Reunion” at Watts Bar Lake in Tennessee.