Recently, leadership expert Jon Gordon asked a thought-provoking question that resonates with aspiring law enforcement leaders: “If you could fly, would you?” His observation was intriguing. While many would instinctively answer, “Of course, if I had the ability, I would,” Gordon noted a paradox. He doubted the sincerity of such claims, pointing out a widespread tendency: people often neglect the gifts, talents, and abilities already at their disposal, let alone hypothetical ones like flight. Reflecting on this, I realized why so many fail to utilize their inherent capacities. There is a widespread lack of understanding of how to harness these abilities effectively. Despite a burning desire for personal and professional growth, success, and the ambition to achieve remarkable things, there is often a gap in knowledge — the know-how is missing. This challenge is especially relevant for individuals aspiring to leadership roles in law enforcement. We tend to rely heavily on our municipalities’ or counties' resources, especially regarding education and training. We acquire the fundamental skills necessary to fulfill our duties as police officers or deputy sheriffs, and if we're fortunate, we also glean some leadership and management skills. But is that enough for career advancement? Probably not. Many law…

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay In the heart of California, the city of Oakland faced a critical juncture in its history as it embarked on yet another quest to find a new police chief. Because of past searches, a lot of skepticism existed in the community. However, some individuals hoped to usher in a new era of effective law enforcement leadership. However, what unfolded has been far from the envisioned transformation. Almost a year later, no end is in sight in the search for the next Oakland police chief. Mayor Thao fired Chief LeRonne Armstrong in February 2023 after an investigation revealed some alleged misconduct. Chief Armstrong disputes these findings. [1] Mayor Thao also didn’t like Chief Armstrong’s comments after he was placed on administrative leave. In fact, Chief Armstrong went as far as describing his firing as a “wrongful and retaliatory” termination. [ii] In September 2023, after an investigation into Armstrong’s termination, the hearing officer for Armstrong’s appeal found that most of the allegations against him lacked any evidence or basis in fact. Additionally, the hearing officer determined that Chief Armstrong may have a legal action based on the termination violating his First Amendment rights. [iii] The Oakland…