Law enforcement officers operating out from under authority tend to take things personally, rather than professionally. Since they reject the proper relationship with their authority, they build walls of hostility, take personal offense, and take it out on the individual they are dealing with. You can trace virtually every instance of police misconduct back to a violation of this ethical principle.


About the Author


12 Responses to The Independent Spirit

  1. Pete Adams says:

    Ray

    I know that you have no idea who I am. I was allowed to spend one day of a two day seminar down in Larimer County Colorado in 06 or 07. My Sheriff told me I couldn’t stay. I told you then I was going to run for Sheriff of this County and was ready to do it. However I felt my health may hamper my performance so I am actively supporting the man I had chosen to be my Undersheriff. The amazing thing to me as just as we announced as our candidate, out of the blue I start getting your Blog from Afghanistan.

    I have about worn out your little Pocket piece as I carry it with me every where I go. It lives in my wallet. There are lots of things I go through and pitch out because I always have to much in it but you booklet never leaves. Thank you. I need to look at it every couple days, and it is a blessing.

    To the point. Thank you again for being the man you are and doing all you do. I think I have been one of the good guy’s all my life and know that my word is never an issue. I’m doing it even better now. I thank God you started up the blog when you did, as every one of your post’s is read be all of us on the campaign every day, And something is learned each time. More important is that having read your post from the last night gives me (all of us) something to focus in our next day.

    Stay safe, Stay well, and keep the blogs coming.
    Thank you
    Pete

    • Pete:

      I know exactly who you are and I appreciate you commenting on the site. I remember my time in Larimer Co. very well. I think I have done more Police Dynamics training in CO than in any other state and I appreciate the support I have received there over the years.

      The little Character Pocket Guide you referred is the most powerful leadership tool I have ever had my hands on. I used mine just today in commenting on the importance of using the vocabulary of character. They are available through the Character Training Institute at http://www.characterfirst.org if anyone is interested in them…

  2. Cherie Bartram says:

    Pete and Ray – I too carry my pocket guide with me and use it all the time. I am also grateful of the time you (Ray) spent in Larimer County, it was clearly a life enhancement for me and my husband.

  3. Anne says:

    Amazing video. You pegged the behaviors very accurately. We set ourselves up as God every day and shame ourselves and God. Thanks for being willing to speak the truth about sin.

  4. […] of the Dynamic of Authority, the cornerstone of the Police Dynamics program. Watch this video on the Independent Spirit for more […]

  5. […] steps on the Path of Destruction. When someone steps out from under authority and develops anIndependent Spirit, the walls of hostility go up and they begin to deflect the truth by assigning blame. This leads to […]

  6. […] quote from Franklin’s autobiography (1771) shows the dangers of pride. That’s why the Independent Spirit gets so many officers in trouble. When I was presenting the Dynamic of Authority at a National […]

  7. […] quote from Franklin’s autobiography (1771) shows the dangers of pride. That’s why the Independent Spirit gets so many officers in trouble. When I was presenting the Dynamic of Authority at a National […]

  8. […] goes back to not taking things personally. An officer operating out from under authority is being ruled by his own ego. He takes any resistance or challenge to his authority as a personal […]

  9. […] into a proper relationship with his or her authorities. In other words, if a person develops an Independent Spirit and steps out from under authority, it is your job as a leader to restore them if […]

  10. […] is the key factor in determining their character. There are five steps in the Path of Destruction: Independent Spirit, Wounded Spirit, Bitter Spirit, Rebellious Spirit, and Unrestorable Spirit. Interestingly, these […]

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Sheriff Ray Nash

Sheriff Ray Nash

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Major P.D. Taylor
Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office

"In the three years prior to our character initiative, we had 42 labor and employee grievances, and seven different lawsuits. In the three years since we put the character initiative in place, we have had two grievances and no lawsuits from employees. I think that, in and of itself, is significant."
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