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How to encourage your cops to engage more with citizens

Here’s a quick tip and a question for shift commanders and other police leaders. It has come to my attention that in order to “enable, empower, and encourage all Sedona (Ariz.) Police Department employees to do whatever it takes to address the community’s problems and prevent future problems,” each employee on that department carries a wallet-size card stating the following:

Is it legal?
Is it ethical?
Is it the right thing for the community?
Is it the right thing for the Sedona Police Department?
Is it something you take responsibility for, and can be proud of?
If the answer to all of these questions is YES — then don’t ask permission, JUST DO IT!

Especially given today’s circumstances of anti-cop sentiment in many areas around the country, would this leadership tactic work for your department or your shift? Sound off in the comments area below.

Doug Wyllie writes police training content on a wide range of topics and trends affecting the law enforcement community. Doug was a co-founder of the Policing Matters podcast and a longtime co-host of the program.

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