Reawakening the Nation – A Special Report
During nine months of travels throughout Italy, China and California (June 2023 – February 26, 2024), I remained in constant contact with American law enforcement and private security colleagues.
The communication focus was policing and security concerns in America, and the responses necessary to address these issues.
In this article, the issues and responses will be addressed. It is my hope these reflections will encourage our nation’s protectors and provide a roadmap to assist them.
The path forward is only possible by inspiring a culture of ethics, altruism, vigilance and dedication to community and country.
Honoring American Sacrifices
Before continuing, I am compelled to share experiences my wife and I had visiting both World War II American military cemeteries in Italy.
We visited these sacred grounds to honor Americans who offered the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.
Respecting our military, and reverence for those who lost their lives in service of our freedom, is an indisputable principle for the reawakening of our nation. It is also one of the nine Principles of American Policing.
Reflections of these visits are memorialized in the journal I maintained during our travels and are as follows:
June 21, 2023: Florence American WWII Cemetery
“In the afternoon, we traveled from Florence, Italy to the Florence American WWII Cemetery, 7 ½ miles south in Impruneta to honor American hero’s from World War II.
“On these sacred grounds lie 4,393 Americans.
“There is also a large sculptured figure on site titled ‘The Spirit of Peace’ and tablets of 1,409 have their names engraved upon it as missing in action.
“While walking these hallowed grounds, we felt mystically connected these sacred souls, a deeper appreciation of America, and profoundly aware of the price of freedom.”
July 1, 2023: Sicily-Rome American Cemetery
“Today we traveled 1.5 hours by train from Rome to the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in the town of Nettuno.
“We then walked 25 minutes from the station to the cemetery, morally obligated as Americans to visit both resting places for our World War II heroes.
“These visitations were enriching spiritual experiences forever engraved into our souls.
“Here in Nettuno is the sacred burial ground of 7,858 Americans. Also, in the on-site chapel an additional 3,095 names are engraved into stone. These are the missing in action, lost at sea, or buried at sea.
“In my next article for The Chief of Police I will memorialize this experience. Honoring American military sacrifices is critical for law enforcement and all privileged to call America their home. It will be my responsibility to honor this principle.”
Return to America
After traveling Italy for one month (June 13 – July 14, 2023) and then China (July 14 – October 30, 2023) we returned to America to reside in Irvine, California through February 26, 2024.
While in California, I was involved with numerous law enforcement concerns here. But I was also in constant communication with New Jersey and New York law enforcement.
In California, I was privileged to be the guest speaker at a law enforcement event as memorialized in my on-line site titled The Sentinel as follows:
21st-Century Policing: Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center Presentation
“Thanks to the collaborative leadership of the U. S. Marshall for the SDNY (and his respected leadership with recommending my presentation), the NYPD Southern California Liaison, the County of Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, I was privileged to deliver a January 10, 2024 presentation in California.
“The presentation titled 21st-Century Policing: Safeguarding our Communities occurred at the Saddle Brook Church in Lake Forest, California. It was presented to members of the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center.
“Attendees represented law enforcement agencies from throughout California. They work in partnership on issues including domestic terrorism, civil unrest, violence prevention, criminal risks, and threat assessment.
“During the presentation, my topics included the following:
- American – Chinese Law Enforcement Comparisons
- Law Enforcement Safety, Morale, and Emotional Survival
- Community / Neighborhood Policing Concepts.
- Building Partnerships through Encounters
- Law enforcement / Community Bridges of Trust
- School Violence, Workplace Violence, Community Violence: Issues, and Response
- America’s Active Shooter Crisis
“Attendees represented the following:
- Los Angeles Police Department
- Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department
- San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department
- Riverside County Sheriff’s Department
- Orange County Sheriff’s Department
- NYPD
- FBI
- County of Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department
- San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
- United States Air Marshals
- San Diego Police Department
- Anaheim Police Department
- Orange County Probation Department
- UCLA Police Department
- University of California Irvine Police Department
- Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Reserve
“It was my honor to address these law enforcement officials dedicated to protecting and serving our communities. They truly are the protectors of American communities.
“Additional initiatives in California were requested after my remarks, and it will be my privilege to support all dedicated to public safety.”
Law Enforcement and Private Security Issues
While traveling, there were extensive published articles exchanged by and with colleagues nationwide, especially in California, New Jersey, and the NYPD as follows:
- 7 indicted in attack on 2 NYPD officers in Times Square, Five of the defendants, who had previously been arrested, face felony charges, officials said. NBC News
- 2 Minn. police officers, 1 medic killed during domestic call identified, ems1.com
- Inside the ‘pressure cooker’: 4 deaths in 24 hours open up conversation about suicides by police, CNN
- Police Suicides: Awareness, Prevention, Action, The Sentinel
- Safeguarding America’s Protectors: A Community Responsibility, The Chief of Police
- In Memoriam: America’s Fallen Officers, The Chief of Police
- Former Head of FBI Counterintelligence Sentenced to Prison for Concealing Business Deals, share.newsbreak.com
- Maine mass shooting: 18 dead and 13 injured in US city of Lewiston, BBC News
- Kansas City shooting: One dead and 21 injured near Super Bowl parade, BBC News
- Almost 5,000 people have died in U.S. gun violence so far in 2024, The shootings have reignited debate about gun violence in America, ABC News
- “Mass killers practice at home”: How domestic violence and mass shootings are linked, CBS News
- 4 Students Shot Outside Atlanta High School, The New York Times
- Butler County Sheriff addresses what he learned at conference [America’s infrastructure and Cyber-Security deficiencies], youtube.com
- Safeguarding America’s Protectors: A Community Responsibility, The Chief of Police
- A new Homeland Security guide aims to help houses of worship protect themselves, apnews
- Exclusive Report: Instructors at Bergen County Academy Removed, New Recruit Class Suspended, share.newsbreak.com
- Private Police Training Promoted Unconstitutional Tactics, Demeaned Women and Minorities, NJ.gov
- Police Trainers Used Sexist Language and Glorified Violence, Videos Show
Street Cop Training, a private police training company, encouraged the use of unconstitutional tactics, a report by New Jersey’s comptroller says, The New York Times
- NJ Police lieutenant arrested for stealing cocaine, fentanyl form evidence room: “Brazen disregard of the law,’ nypost.com
- Controversial police training firm files for bankruptcy, blames New Jersey Investigations, newjerseymonitor.com
- Wall Township Police Sergeant Charged with Stealing More than $75K from Local PBA, Office of the Monmouth County Prosecutor
- N.J. police sergeant facing more charges after allegedly stealing $75K from PBA, officials say, nj.com
- Misconduct Claims at Bergen County Police Academy under investigation, classes suspended, northjersey.com
- Hate Crimes against Asians jumped 107% in California in ‘an epidemic of hate,’ latimes.com
- 21st Century Policing Demands Ethical Leadership, The Chief of Police
- Justice Department Released Report on its Critical Incident Review of the Response to the Mass Shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, justice.gov
- School Violence Warning Signs through the Prism of Uvalde’s Tragedy, The Sentinel
- SPECIAL REPORT: School Violence: Toxic Personalities, Warning Signs, Countermeasures AMERICA’S SCHOOL VIOLENCE CRISIS, The Chief of Police
- Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik shoots himself inside Clifton restaurant, northjersey.com
- New Jersey Sheriff Richard Berdnik fatally shoots himself in restaurant after officers charged, share.newsbreak.com
- 21st Century Policing Demands Ethical Leadership, The Chief of Police
- Passaic Sheriff’s Office brought $10m in security items from firm targeted by FBI, northjersey.com
- Human Trafficking Concerns related to the Super Bowl, (America’s Human Trafficking Scourge Demands Moral Leadership, The Sentinel)
- After 3 years and $1.5M, cops in N.J. racism scandal could face discipline, nj.com
- Watch: Cops Forced To Restrain ‘Drunk” NJ Police Chief At Tense Crash Scene, nj1015.com
- NJ Police Chief retires early after drunken Kerfuffle with his own cop who slammed him on car hood: mayor, nypost.com
- 21st Century Policing: Orange County Intelligence Center Presentation, The Sentinel
America’s Crisis
Officer Safety/Emotional Health, Ethics, Mass Shootings: A Response
As a response to the issues noted in the exchanged published articles, the following insights, documented proactively from extensive published works and presentations, beckon a wakeup call to America.
It is hopeful that after reflection and review, a renewed resolve and action plans will be inspired and implemented:
Police Suicides: Awareness, Prevention, Action
https://vincentbove.blogspot.com/2018/03/police-suicides-awareness-prevention.html
“Aside from resources for assistance within agencies such as the NYPD, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) at 1 800-273-8255, provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources, best practices, and building awareness.
“As detailed on the NSPL website, these are some warning signs that may help to determine if one is at risk for suicide.
“These warning signs, ‘especially if the behavior is new, has increased, or seems related to a painful event, loss, or change’ demands that someone seek help:
- Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
- Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
- Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
- Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Withdrawing or isolating themselves
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Extreme mood swings
Prevent a Tragedy: See Something, Say Something
“Each life is sacred and deserving of respect, support, and encouragement.
“The maxim ‘if you see something say something’ is applicable not only to crime prevention, but to protecting the lives of all who serve, and all who are experiencing emotional trauma.
“We must continually have our eyes wide open to warning signs of suicide, and the moral courage to respond to prevent tragedies.”
REAWAKENING THE NATION: Safeguarding America’s Protectors: A Community Responsibility
https://www.copmag.org/reawakening-the-nation/
“Protecting our communities is a shared responsibility. The police and the community must be one and inseparable. We must be fully dedicated, without compromise, to protecting one another.
“Every law enforcement member who died protecting and serving our communities deserves America’s eternal gratitude, remembrance, and honor.
“We must also be forever mindful of their families and support them with unwavering compassion, respect, and dignity.
“America is the ‘land of the free and home of the brave’ because of the sacrifices of our law enforcement and armed forces.
Let us eternally honor them and forever hold their families, friends, and colleagues in our prayers.”
Regarding protecting our officers, the extensive media coverage on the assault of NYPD officers in Times Square was of significant concern.
Responding to the assault, I felt obligated to express my support and released the following statement to law enforcement colleagues and on social media:
Statement on the January 27, 2024 Assault of NYPD Officers in Times Square
Reawakening America, LLC
Vincent J. Bove
“Contemptuous: ten violent criminals assault NYPD officers – pummeling and viciously kicking their faces.
“After their arrests they are immediately released, only to publically insult all dedicated to moral decency with arrogance.
“Releasing them is the indisputable proof of the failure of the Bail Reform Law of New York.
“This incident demands moral outrage by law enforcement and the public, and immediate action to change the law to mandate consequences for criminality.
“Protecting our communities is a shared responsibility. The police and the community must be one and inseparable.
“We must be fully dedicated without compromise to protecting one another.
“Problems ignite whenever our unity of effort is compromised and we do not stand united against depravity.”
REAWAKENING THE NATION: 21st Century American Policing Demands Ethical Leadership
https://www.copmag.org/reawakening-the-nation-2/
“Along with protecting those who protect us, we must also ensure they have world class training as noted in the third principle of American Policing. This training not only heightens a moral compass but gives law enforcement the credibility they deserve by the public.
“Therefore, 21st Century Policing: America’s Ethical Protectors is mandatory.
“Ethical training, development and certification are critical to the entire law enforcement profession.
“Law enforcement agencies nationwide require ongoing ethical policing certification programs. This is fundamental to their mission.
“Here are some pillars of a program spotlighting ethical policing as the hallmark for professionalism:
- Ethical policing certification is a proven educational model that strengthens operational efficiency, improves morale and increases respectability.
- Ethics empowers the rank-and-file of an agency with leadership skills, vigilance enhancement and collaborative expertise.
- Ethical Policing addresses state-of-the-art ethical principles based upon recognized issues vital to the profession. This is the most effective way of developing, attaining, and sustaining the vision, mission, and core values of the agency.
- Ethical Policing strengthens agency accountability and improves community trust through principles enhancing expectations, performance and responsibility.
- Ethical certification assists in limiting the agency’s liability as it demonstrates that ethical training has been conducted by an independent respected authority.
“This program, which I developed and presented for a successful partnership of the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association, Bergen County Prosecutors Office and Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, has an agenda in the aforementioned published works deserving of implementation nationwide.”
America’s Active Shooter Crisis Demands Visionary Leadership
America’s Active Shooter Crisis Demands Visionary Leadership
“America’s flag continues to fly at half-staff too often due to violent rampages against the innocent.
“Visionary leadership must inspire vigilance and collaboration to prevent violence. We must have the determination, commitment, and courage to protect ourselves and others.
“Training initiatives, security assessments, sound security measures, building police-community partnerships, professional security personnel, and responding effectively to warning signs are critical safeguards against active shooter tragedies.
“These pillars must be inseparable from securing our communities against mass shooting tragedies and essential to reawakening the nation.”
SPECIAL REPORT, School Violence: Toxic Personalities, Warning Signs, Countermeasures, AMERICA’S SCHOOL VIOLENCE CRISIS
https://www.copmag.org/school-violence-toxic-personalities-warning-signs-countermeasures/
“Recently, I read the book titled How to Deal with Toxic People.
“It was a glaring reminder that understanding toxic personalities is essential to law enforcement, educators, mental health professionals, and the judicial system.
“Here are the toxic personality types addressed in the book:
- The Deceiver — one who habitually lies, which is part of a larger deceptive context. This personality type creates mistrust, chaos, and uncertainty.
- The Control Freak — meddles with your business, tells you how to act and holds you to impossible standards. They drain your energy and seek to undermine others self-worth.
- The Gas lighter — comes from a 1944 film “Gaslight,” which highlights a manipulative spouse making the innocent party feel they are psychologically impaired.
- The Angry Venter — treats others as verbal punching bags.
- The Know-It-All — is right about everything, always in competition with others and needs to win always. They seek to manipulate, mistreat and dominate others.
- The Intimidator — seeks control by issuing threats, sometimes with bark and no bite, but can also back threats with actions. They breed resentment, bitterness and anger.
- The Egotist — their motto is “It’s all about me!” They crave, demand and hog the spotlight, dominate conversation and disregard the needs of others.
- The Drama Queen or Crisis King — every issue, even normal experiences is catastrophic. They need to be the center of the storm, whip up problems and orchestrate emotional conflicts.
- The Put-Down Artist — uses words, tone of voice and actions to degrade the value of others. They are often callous and insulting, using biting remarks or sarcasm to diminish others.
- The Moral Authority — pontificates to coerce compliance.
- The Emotional Roller Coaster — takes others on mood swings to control.
- The Pessimist — spreads discontent, and negativity like a contagious virus.
- The Guilter — never able to apologize, but always blaming others for everything.
- The Addict — dysfunctional due to addictions (substance abuse, gambling, alcoholism, etc.) and will say and do anything to cover their needs, including distorting the truth and inventing false realities.
“The ability to effectively respond to toxic personalities begins with awareness. These toxic personality types are highlighted to empower individuals to effectively respond.
“A toxic personality does not definitively lead to acts of violence. Yet, understanding toxic personalities, especially when warning signs or imminent warning signs are identified, is pertinent.
“This understanding benefits understanding human deficiencies, preventing violence, and contributes to civility in society.”
Protecting America’s Houses of Worship, Schools, Facilities: A National Model
https://vincentbove.blogspot.com/2020/01/protecting-americas-houses-of-worship.html
“America’s law enforcement, in collaboration with private security professionals and houses of worship demands leadership.
“We must continually build bridges with communities through the concept of shared responsibility.
“Vigilance is critical as these are challenging times. The principles of security recommended in this article serves as the foundation for security in houses of worship nationwide.
“Our houses of worship represent the bedrock of America’s freedom of religion, guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The nation’s sacred spaces deserve our dedication, unity of effort, vigilance, and leadership.
“We must all serve as catalysts to protect our workplaces, schools, communities, public spaces, and houses of worship.
“Public safety demands visionary leadership as well as vigilance, and collaboration.
“Security demands proactive threat assessments by board certified professionals, comprehensive ongoing enhancements (physical, personnel, procedural, and cyber), continual training and certifications, effective response to warning signs, and building partnerships with law enforcement, private security professionals, and every member of the community.
Final Reflections
As a specific response to the racism scandal addressed by the New Jersey Attorney General in the article titled After 3 years and $1.5M, cops in N.J. racism scandal could face discipline is the following:
Vanquishing Racism, Bigotry, Hate: A Reflection on the Holocaust
https://vincentbove.blogspot.com/2021/01/a-reflection-on-holocaust-part-i-of-iii.html
“The dark chapter of the holocaust must have eternal lessons for humanity.
“All of us must be completely dedicated to forever vanquishing hatred from the face of the earth.
“Hatred is a reality, as well as with a lack of tolerance toward anyone who is different.
“America must stand against all who violate the principles of our Constitution, Bill of Rights, and every noble principle of humanity.
“The character of the good people of America will rise to the occasion.
“We will overcome hatred and be reawakened because tolerance, respect, and charity are the heartbeat that unites us.”
Related Coverage:
America’s Armed Forces: A Special Tribute
America’s Head-On Collision: A Culture of Violence and Crisis of Character
America’s Mass Shooter Crisis Demands Visionary Leadership
Principles of American Policing
Although Sir Robert Peel’s Nine Policing Principles are timeless, contemporary issues demand principles complementing tradition while respecting current realities. Therefore, I have developed Nine Principles of American Policing to enhance dialogue, communication, and trust between police and communities…continue reading
http://vincentbove.blogspot.com/2015/04/principles-of-american-policing.html
Understanding the Profession
Echoes Of Columbine: School Violence Awareness And Prevention
School Violence Warning Signs through the Prism of Uvalde’s Tragedy
Let’s look at the life of the Uvalde Killer, a 18-year-old high school student who killed 19 children and two adults at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. His life can be examined through a prism of missed warning signs: The killer’s father was absent physically, financially, emotionally and spiritually. His mother had a substance abuse problem and was overwhelmed…continue reading
http://vincentbove.blogspot.com/2022/09/school-violence-warning-signs-through.html
Five Preliminary Tips for Improving American School Security
The world is watching America’s response to the ongoing school violence crisis. There are challenges, controversies, and confusions, but there are remedies, countermeasures, and prevention principles. As a response to the issues, here are five preliminary tips…continue reading
http://vincentbove.blogspot.com/2018/02/5-preliminary-tips-for-improving.html
American Teachers: Inspire the Heart and Transform the Country
In one of my experiences, while conducting an assessment for a school district, a student approached me with a commentary of what can happen without a culture of caring. The student told me that each day when she came to school she felt “invisible”…continue reading
http://vincentbove.blogspot.com/2014/04/american-teachers-inspire-heart-and.html
Crisis of Leadership: A Response to the Virginia Tech Panel Report, 2007
In a post Columbine, 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina society, the demand for leadership by those entrusted with the safety and security of others has never been such a clear priority. As mentioned in the introduction…read more
http://www.vincentbove.com/VBove–VTResponse–WebVersion.pdf
Virginia Tech Articles in The Sentinel
http://vincentbove.blogspot.com/search/label/Virginia%20Tech
Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools
https://www.schoolsafety.gov/resource/early-warning-timely-response-guide-safe-schools
To Protect & Educate: The School Resource Officer and the Prevention of Violence in Schools
https://www.nasro.org/clientuploads/resources/NASRO-Protect-and-Educate.pdf
School Bullying: A Matter of Life and Death
http://vincentbove.blogspot.com/2016/08/school-bullying-matter-of-life-and-death.html
Also, Preventing Bullying: A Manual for Schools and Communities
https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED453592
Practical Information on Crisis Planning
