SIDNEY — Law enforcement officials from three states gathered in Sidney for a three-day Leading by Legacy program to learn how their department and officers can leave a legacy in their communities.
The program, sponsored by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, is funded by a grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice, was free to all participants.
“Programs like this are very important to smaller agencies,” said Joseph C. Blackburn, of Blackburn Strategies in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. “A lot of chiefs are coming to these programs.”
Smaller agencies, he said, have problems sending staff members to trainings that take them away from their daily responsibilities. When a training is located close — like the one in Sidney — it’s easier for them to attend.
Blackburn, who is a former police chief in Allentown, Pennsylvania, has been a presenter with the Leading by Legacy program for three years.
“It’s critical that all kinds of leadership training is out there for law enforcement,” said Julie Grimes, a retired Alaska State Trooper. “This is how we develop good leaders.”
Programs like Leading by Legacy provides a unique approach to training leaders in law enforcement, said Chief David L. Kurz with the Durham Police Department, Durham, New Hampshire.
“We ask them what is going to be our legacy,” said Kruz. “When you say the name Steve Jobs, who know what his legacy is.”
On the flip side, when the name Bernie Madoff is mentioned, his legacy is not positive.
The Leading by Legacy program is held seven to eight times a year in different parts of the United States, said Jose L. Mariscal, project manager, research and programs division with the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
“Smaller agencies have a tough time with funding to send their officers to training,” said Grimes. “This training comes to the departments free of charge. A chief can take the time from his job to attend the training.
The Leading by Legacy program was established in 2009 and the pilot program was held in Colorado in 2010.
Mariscal said they have requests from 30 different agencies to conduct training in their cities.
“We received a request from Chief (Will) Balling to come here,” said Mariscal. “He had attended one (program) in Indianapolis.”
Balling agrees that the program was beneficial to him.
“I had the opportunity to attend this program in 2010 and believe that it helped me be a better leader and person,” said Balling. “When we think we know it all that is when we stop being an effective manager and leader. I comment all of the students for attending this and wanting to develop their skills.”
Topics covered during the program included individual legacy, organizational legacy and community legacy.
During Thursday’s portion of the program, the group discussed creating a community needs assessment, which could include a survey.
“You need to get a connection with the segment of your community that doesn’t always have a positive attitude about law enforcement,” said Kruz. “Don’t tailor your question to get the answer you want.”
Kruz said there needs to be various ways to distribute the survey — whether it’s online or by mail.
“Talk to the newspaper before the survey is sent out,” said Kruz. “Tell the community what your desires are from the survey. Market yourself. Talk about the positive things going on in your department.”
Once the survey is completed and results have been tallied, go back to the newspaper to share the results with the citizens of the community.
Kruz also asked if the agencies used Facebook, Twitter or YouTube. Social networking, he said, encourages community engagement. He said each department should offer guidance to their staff on what should or should not be put on social media.
“You need to share your stories — both good and bad,” said Kruz. “Communicate both you and your agencies values. Build a trust in the community. We have to do things at the right time for the people we work for.”
