double-edged sword

The Double-Edged Sword of Transparency: Examining Fort Myer’s Release of Police Chief Applicants’ Names and its Ramifications for Current Police Chiefs

Fort Myers, a vibrant city located in Southwest Florida, recently made headlines with its decision to release the names of all 155 applicants vying for the position of police chief. While the move aims to promote transparency and public engagement, it has sparked concerns about the potential adverse effects on currently employed police chiefs in other departments. This article delves into the implications of such a disclosure and highlights its challenges for law enforcement leaders nationwide. Advocates of the decision argue that transparency in the selection process is crucial for building trust between law enforcement agencies and the community they serve. By releasing the names of all applicants, Fort Myers intends to demonstrate its commitment to openness and fairness. However, it is essential to consider the potential consequences of such transparency, particularly for current police chiefs, who may face unintended negative repercussions. Transparency vs. Privacy Typically, cities only release names of candidates who are finalists for the position. In some cases, cities release the names of all applicants. However, releasing the names of 155 candidates is highly unusual, especially when Mayor Anderson is quoted as saying that 90% of the applicants have already been eliminated. Competitive Disadvantage One of the…

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shaking hands

The Hiring Process for Police Chief: What’s Changed and What Hasn’t

Few people would disagree with the statement that policing has changed dramatically over the last five years. There has been a considerable change in how we police, both good and bad, and in citizens’ expectations, both good and bad. There has also been a significant shift in the expectations of police chiefs and in the hiring process. But, despite these changes and challenges, if you are still interested in pursuing your dream of leading a team of men and women dedicated to serving their community, then I have one thing to say to you. Read on! Let’s discuss a few items of interest before I get into the meat of it. Recruitment and Retention Challenge Across the nation, law enforcement agencies are struggling to recruit and retain quality staff. Eligible officers are retiring. Others are exiting law enforcement stage left for a safer and less stressful career in the private sector. Recruitment numbers are down, and their qualifications are lacking. The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) convened a one-day seminar titled “Best Practices & Innovations in Police Recruitment and Retention.” Over 200 police leaders from the country came together to discuss this critical topic. Although this conference focused on entry-level…

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leaders read

Successful Leaders Read

I have always been a reader. From an early age, I loved to read. In fact, I took a class in high school where all I had to do the entire quarter was read books. I was in heaven! As I began my career in law enforcement, my reading continued. However, I expanded the types of books I was reading to include books that would help me grow as a leader. After Bobby Moody became Chief of Police for the Marietta Police Department in 1996, we began reading leadership articles and books for our staff meetings and had to report on what we read at our staff meetings. We read book after book after book and grew as leaders. We absorbed what we read so much that eight former leaders who served under Chief Bobby Moody became police chiefs. Leaders from today and the past value the importance of reading. Here are a few quotes about reading. “I cannot live without books.” Thomas Jefferson “Reading is still the main way that I both learn new things and test my understanding.” Bill Gates “My best friend is a person who will give me a book I have not read.” Abraham Lincoln…

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