Category Archives: Police Dynamics

Recently I posted an interview I did on Romanian TV when I visited Oradea. The host, Camelia Pascui, sent me an  email that contained some questions from her viewers. I thought you might enjoy my responses to her. Incidentally, the title of the original post was “Why Do Americans Eat Every Cop Donuts?” This was the translation of their website rendered by the Google translation software. I used it to attract viewers to the site. It in no way reflects the quality of the translation that was provided by Mihalea Pop. Quite the contrary. She did a most excellent job…!

Question 1: What are the methods used by American police officers for reducing professional stress and if you are aware of these issues of Romanian police officers regarding this?

My response: Many police officers use physical exercise as a way of reducing stress. It is also important to spend time doing positive activities that are not work-related, particularly if it includes spending time with their families. An overall wellness program that includes exercise, a healthy diet, and adequate rest and recreation are important. Some police agencies in America refer officers to psychologists if they are having certain types of stress-related problems, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, after they are involved in a violent incident, such as shooting a suspect, or experience some other type of traumatic event. In recent years, we have implemented a program called Critical Incident Stress Debriefings where a psychologist or a team of specially trained police officers will meet in a group or individually with officers who have been exposed to stressful incidents such as the murder or suicide of a colleague. I believe that all of these programs are beneficial, but I also believe that officers with strong character are better able to keep their lives in balance and deal with the stresses of law enforcement.

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Category: Police Dynamics

These two terms are often misunderstood to mean the same thing. They rhyme, but that’s about all they have in common. Meekness means power under the control of character. In Part 3 of the Dynamic of Restoration we look at Meekness as the critical character quality for restoring the Bitter Spirit.

Meekness
Yielding my personal rights and expectations with a desire to serve others 

Why do we get mad? Usually it’s because we perceive that someone else has violated one of our personal rights. Whether they cut us off in traffic, steal “our” parking space, or cut in line at the grocery store, we tend to get mad because we perceive they have stepped on one of our rights. If they cut in line behind us, we don’t get mad. We think that’s funny because now they have stepped on someone else’s rights!

A meek person has learned to yield his “rights” to emotional, sensual, and material satisfaction (read that anger, lust, and greed – the three root character flaws) and be released from the accompanying anger and bitterness.

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That’s the question I was asked during my interview on Romanian television during my trip to Oradea. But you have to be patient with the translation (and you may want to fast-forward through the introduction). The show is called Sanatatea Ta and is about “health, truth, and charity.” So I was able to tie in the character-based principles of Police Dynamics with the stress burden placed our law enforcement officers and how that impacts their health.

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By definition, the Unrestorable Spirit is just that — unrestorable. He refuses to be restored and enjoys being a Renegade. Outside of divine intervention, they are a lost cause. However, there is great hope for the other Renegade Spirits. Starting with the Rebellious Spirit, lets look at a character-based approach to restoration.

First of all, definitions are critically important. If we are going to incorporate character-based standards into our progressive discipline model, we have to be particularly careful to define and articulate the standard. Normally, we might define Obedience this way: “following the instructions of someone in authority…” But this is a behavior-based definition and it is very superficial. I like this character-based definition of Obedience better:

Quickly and cheerfully fulfilling the expectations of my authorities

Notice that “fulfilling expectations” is different than “following instructions.” It is entirely possible to be technically obedient in actions and be totally rebellious in attitude. We define character as “the internal motivation to do the right thing regardless of the circumstances and regardless of the costs.” A truly obedient person obeys in both action and attitude. And a good supervisor must have the discernment to look below the surface of behavior to determine the true attitude of the heart.

In this video, I also use a humorous example to illustrate how Problem-Oriented Policing can actually backfire on us if we do not communicate our expectations properly.

NOTE: I just returned from Romania this morning after conducting a number of Police Dynamics training sessions at the invitation of the Romanian National Police and their National Anti-Drug Agency. I hope to post some new videos and photos from there in the coming weeks…

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In Part 1 of the Dynamic of Restoration, we take a closer look at the downward steps in the Path of Destruction. Identifying where an officer is on this path is the key to their restoration. And one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves is “where am I on this path…”

The Dynamic of Restoration builds on the ethical foundation of the Dynamic of Authority. Once a law enforcement officer develops an Independent Spirit and steps out from under authority, there are certain predictable patterns of behavior that can begin to manifest in his life. Ultimately, these behaviors can lead to death. Independent Spirits are very good at deflecting the truth by assigning blame to others. That leaves them open to the three root character flaws – anger, lust, and greed.

The downward progression of the Path of Destruction can be seen in this Dynagram.

Restoration - Path of Destruction

Path of Destruction

As you can see, it closely mirrors the Five Types of Offenders that we covered in the Dynamics of Discretion, Compliance, and Discipline.

Blaming others for your problems, rather than taking personal responsibility which is the path of character, can lead to a Wounded Spirit. This in turn can lead to a Bitter Spirit, and bitterness can destroy you. Pretty soon, the officer is no longer content to get mad. They want to get even! That’s the Rebellious Spirit. Ultimately, this can lead to an Unrestorable Spirit, who is by definition beyond restoration. In the next episode, we will look at how to restore these renegades by applying specific character-based principles.

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In this last installment of the Dynamic of Compliance, I wrap up the entire lesson into a 5-step professional standard of conduct that can easily be utilized in the field.

Similar to the 5-Step Hard Style Kata of the Verbal Judo program, following this pattern should result in a higher level of voluntary compliance and a lower incidence of physical force. By following a professional pattern of conduct, law enforcement officers can protect themselves from claims of excessive force, media criticism, disciplinary actions, internal investigations, litigation, endless depositions, risk of injury, exposure to bodily fluids, and mounds of paperwork, not to mention tons of aggravation and stress!

Amateur Hour…?

Many of you have seen this video from Code3TV.com of an officer dealing with a challenging individual, who happened to be a 77-year old woman with a weak bladder, during a car stop. I always hesitate to second guess an officer in the field, but I can’t help but wonder if the outcome would have been different had the officer followed this 5-step process before resorting to physical force…

Graphically, the Dynagram for this Dynamic looks like this:

Dynamic of Compliance

Time and circumstances permitting, you should utilize this pattern every time you encounter a difficult individual who challenges your authority.

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The Scorning and Steadfast Offenders present the greatest challenges of the Five Types of Offenders. They will put your tactical communication skills to the test…

The Scorner needs Confirmation in order to voluntarily comply. He wants to know the answer to the question “Are you really serious about this…?” before he will agree to comply with your lawful commands. So your action is to give him a Last Chance with the following phrase developed by Dr. George Thompson of the Verbal Judo Institute:

“Is there ANYTHING I can say or do to gain your cooperation…
just for tonight?”

Notice the emphasis on the word “ANYTHING.” Your phraseology and voice inflection are critical to delivering the message effectively. It should come across almost as a plea for compliance, but it is their last chance. Anything other than a reasonable request, which you might consider granting if circumstances permit, or immediate compliance takes you to the next level, PHYSICAL FORCE.

If the subject resists up to this point, it likely means you are dealing with a Steadfast Offender, the highest level of offender. He needs Isolation and wants the answer to the question, “Can I make a phone call…?” In other words, he’s going to jail! Steadfast Offenders need incarceration, so if you have the appropriate legal grounds, you should consider making an arrest. But in all likelihood you will have to resort to the THREAT of physical force, with the apparent immediate ability and intent to carry through, or actual force in line with your policy and the Use of Force Continuum.

The tactical communication phrase above is designed to alert your partners that physical force is imminent so they can position themselves and get ready.

“When words fail, ACT!”

A.C.T. is an acronym for Aggression Control Tactics, a police self-defense program I put together a number of years ago. But the bottom line is that you have now exhausted the opportunities for voluntary compliance and must resort to your arrest and control tactics.

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The Sensual Offender wants to know “What’s in it for me…? In other words, they need Mediation to help them see that it is in their best interests to comply. In Part 2 of the Dynamic of Compliance, we discuss how to generate voluntary compliance by using Verbal Judo to “cut across” the experiences of the offender.

If the driver of a vehicle which you have lawfully stopped refuses to surrender his driver’s license, even after you have asked for compliance and appealed to a higher authority, it likely means that you are dealing with a Sensual Offender (at least). He is not likely to comply unless you can convince him it is in his best interests. So you might say something like, “If you don’t comply, let me tell you exactly what is going to happen next. First of all, I will have to arrest you. Secondly, if you resist, I will call in whatever backup is necessary. You will spend the night in jail and miss being at home with your family. You might even miss work tomorrow. Then you will have to pay a bondsman, hire an attorney, and end up with a criminal record. Plus we will have to tow your car. Now, do you really need that kind of trouble tonight…?

Dr. George Thompson, founder of Verbal Judo (to whom I give much credit for the content of the Dynamic of Compliance), calls these “hooks.” Just like a fisherman casting a lure, you may have to try several before you find the one that works. Each one is designed to show the driver the consequences of his failure to comply. At this point, we don’t know which one he will “bite” on so you have to have several hooks ready to go. While he may not be intimidated by the possibility of going to jail, or of missing time with his family, he may realize that he can’t afford to miss work. Or maybe he just doesn’t want a tow truck driver touching his car!

The same technique can work against a stubborn inmate who refuses to come out of a jail cell for an inspection. You might say, “If you don’t come out, I’ll have to send in the extraction team. They will use pepper spray or a Taser if necessary. Then you will be placed in disciplinary segregation or maximum security. Next you will lose your commissary and visitation privileges. Now do you need that kind of trouble tonight…?” The inmate that uses pepper spray for seasoning on his food is not afraid of a good fight. But maybe he was really looking forward to getting that Moonpie and Mountain Dew from the commissary tonight! Or maybe he was counting on seeing his family for visitation on Sunday afternoon. That’s the hook that you will use to reel him into compliance.

In the next sessions we will look at dealing with the remaining types of offenders, Scorning and Steadfast Offenders, then put the whole thing together into a professional pattern of conduct that will help protect you, your agency, and your fellow officers from harm or litigation.

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In the Dynamic of Discretion, we identified the Five Types of Offenders. In this series on the Dynamic of Compliance, we look at how to overcome challenges to lawful authority by answering some basic questions.

The fundamental goal of law enforcement is to generate voluntary compliance with the law. Each of the Five Types of Offenders will respond to your authority slightly differently depending on how you answer a basic set of questions. Even if they don’t vocalize it, they are likely asking it.

The late Dr. George Thompson, founder of Verbal Judo, was instrumental in helping me formulate this Dynamic. Many thanks go to him for his influence on me, Police Dynamics, and law enforcement officers throughout the world.

Simple Offenders need an Education. They want to know the answer to the question “What?” as in “What do you want me to do?” They are generally not much of a challenge to law enforcement because they will typically comply if you simply tell them what you want them to do and then ask them to do it.

Silly Offenders are more of a challenge. They will rarely comply on the first request. They need an Explanation. They want to know “Why?” “Why should I have to comply?” “Why do I have to listen to you?” This is where many police officers and corrections officials make a crucial mistake. They answer something like, “Because I said so, that’s why!” And they just blew it! They turned a routine challenge to authority into an ego battle, and they may very well have to resort to physical force before it’s all over. That response doesn’t even work well at home! Do you expect it to work well on the streets?

The professional law officer has learned to put his ego aside and appeal to a higher authority. In other words, it has nothing to do with what I say. It has to do with what the law says, or what the policy says. By setting your ego aside, appealing to a higher authority, and answering the question “Why?” effectively, I believe you can generate voluntary compliance with the vast majority of individuals you deal with. In the next session, we will examine the Sensual Offender and learn how to answer the question, “What’s in it for me…?”

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At over 5000 years old, the ancient pyramids in Giza are among the oldest structures in the world. They provided a great opportunity to talk about the importance of building structure in our lives.

The 4-sided pyramid is a good model to illustrate the power of structure. Imagine that each face (triangle) represents an important aspect of your overall strength and structure. One triangle represents the three aspects of your Integrity – character, competence, and communication. Another represents the importance of exercise – strength, flexibility, and aerobic conditioning. Another, the three components of nutritional health – balanced diet, hydration, and anti-oxidants. The fourth, Stress Management – sleep, rest, and recreation.

Balancing all four aspects of your life and building structure in these areas brings strength, integrity, and wellness.

In this second video from Giza, I use the Twin Towers of Integrity as a model to illustrate the relationship between character and competence.

Both character and competence (or as Noah Webster calls them, virtues and abilities) are critical for success and together they form the pillars that support our integrity. Our integrity, in turn, builds trust, which fuels relationships internally and externally. Trust-based relationships with the community are the foundation of the coactive response to crime-fighting.

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Sheriff Ray Nash

Sheriff Ray Nash

What Law Enforcement and Community Leaders Are Saying About Police Dynamics

“A few years ago, we brought the Police Dynamics program to the Cincinnati Police Division and were most impressed with the quality of the training and richness of the program.”
Mike Daly
Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky

"I have attended training conducted by the Police Dynamics Institute in the past and know Ray Nash both personally and professionally. They have my whole-hearted endorsement…"
Sheriff Larry Williams
Orangeburg, SC

"I cannot tell you how excited I am to see this website. I was introduced to your video on the Dynamics of Authority through my father who is a police chaplain for the FBI and local law enforcement agencies here in Las Cruces. I have taught and applied the Dynamics model to my students when I was a teacher, and now to my department as a fire fighter."
Nathan Carr
Las Cruces Fire Dept.

“One of the greatest seminars I have ever attended in the 33 years I’ve been a Deputy.”
Walter Bolinger
Sergeant
Marion County Sheriff’s Office, IN

"I was so impressed by the (Police Dynamics) program that I purchased your video tape series. All Grand County Sheriff’s Employees subsequently viewed the tapes, and I have also mandated that all new Sheriff’s Employees watch it as well."
Glen Trainor
Undersheriff
Grand County Sheriff’s Office

"It is with much enthusiasm that I encourage senior law enforcement executives to make attending the Police Dynamics seminar a key training priority for your agency."
DeWayne Beggs
Sheriff
Cleveland County, OK
former 2nd VP - National Sheriff's Association

"I am convinced of the benefits of the Police Dynamics program."
Jerry Martin
Sheriff
Delores County, CO
former Pres - County Sheriff's of Colorado

"Honestly, I’ve not been more impressed with a police training that I’ve attended in the last 20 years..."
Tom McClain
Chief of Police
Willard, MO

"I am a firm believer that Police Dynamics and Character First! equip the men and women that work for the Oklahoma Sheriff’s Office to do their job and do it better."
John Whetsel
Sheriff
Oklahoma County, OK

"If you believe that good character is an essential element in policing, you will want to send your key staff to Police Dynamics."
David Williams
Sheriff
Tarrant County, TX

"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."
Rodney Ray
City Manager
Owasso, OK

"This course was one of the best training sessions that I’ve been through. This concept will benefit me and the staff in my division."
Police Dynamics participant

[We have] more awareness of the preventative benefits of a character initiative as opposed to the typical reactive approach to situations. There is a sense of excitement by organization leaders as they begin to see a change in their culture. Bob Powell
Character Council
Fort Collins, CO

"[The Police Dynamics training] brings us closer together, more like a family … it reminds us of why we’re out there and what it’s about.”
Captain John Decker
Dorchester County Sheriff's Office, SC

"This class gave me the vocabulary that I have been looking for to praise and motivate my employees."
Police Dynamics participant

"We’ve built a much better relationship with each other. We’ve seen a decrease in complaints. We’ve become a family instead of a place to work."
Sheriff Howie Godwin
Highlands County, FL

“This shows us a new approach to recognize employees’ character traits - and to acknowledge them for those good traits versus, 'You did an excellent job…' It’s some fresh ideas in an area that we probably all need to change."
Major P.D. Taylor
Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office

"The Police Dynamics training that Ray Nash brought teaches the things that are at the core of being a good police officer – being trustworthy, being of good character…"
Sgt. Julie Shearer
Cincinnati Police Div.

“In the Police Dynamics training seminar, the officers are able to set a standard in their own lives of the kind of character they want to see in their community."
Chaplain Carl Nelson
Colorado Springs Police Department

"Character is the solution to the real problem in our community of crime. Character supplies the answer."
Hon. F.A. Schad
Former Judge
Burleson, TX

“I want you to know that my international and national career was very much influenced by your lessons and knowing you was of paramount importance for my job and career. Many Romanian police officers are grateful to you and to Character training."
Teofil Parasca
Assistant Superintendent
Arad County Police
Romania

"I would like to work more toward management by principles instead of rules – with an emphasis on character and guiding principles."
Chief Lynn Williams
Chickasha, OK

“We need to return to our basic character traits that made this country great. Ray Nash has the program to do it."
Police Dynamics participant

"This shows us a new approach to recognize those employees’ character traits and to recognize and acknowledge them for those good traits versus, “You did an excellent job…” It’s some fresh ideas in an area that we probably all need to change."
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."
Rodney Ray
City Manager
Owasso, OK

"Absolutely fantastic! It reminded me of why I wanted to be a peace officer."
Police Dynamics participant

"the finest value-added training anywhere."
Sheriff David Williams
Tarrant County, TX

"We continue to benefit from your teaching and hire with a strong emphasis on character."
Chief Tom McClain
Willard, MO

"Once again, I feel absolutely indebted to you for the program you have developed and your desire to change the world through the building of better law enforcement officers."
Glen P. Trainor
Undersheriff
Grand County, CO

"Sheriff Ray Nash is an internationally recognized speaker that you and your staff will learn powerful principles from, while enjoying the lesson."
DeWayne Beggs
Sheriff
Cleveland County, OK

"Very comprehensive, a great resource manual for the future. The seminar was dynamic in every way. What a great resource for people throughout their day-to-day routines.”
Doug Carter
Trooper
Indiana State Police