Police Leadership Conference: Staying Connected in a Changing World April 10-13, 2011

1. Cmdr. Michael J. Nila (RET) The Nobility of Policing: Connecting to Purpose!

2. 1944: The Battle of the Bulge “ Hey buddy, are you looking for a safe place?” “ Yeah” the tank commander replied. “ Then park your tank behind me, because I am the 82nd Airborne, and this is as far as the bastards are going!”

3. Policing and Leadership are both about “holding the line!” “ Stand behind me and it will be OK!”

5. “ Of every one hundred men that they send me, ten should not be here. Eighty are nothing but targets. Nine are the real fighters, they the battle make. Ah, but the one, he is a warrior, and he will bring the others back.” Where do we get such men and women? An Ancient Greek Warrior General writing from the front lines to the city fathers...

10. Responsibilities of Policing Photo by Jaime A. Lopez, LASD

15. Power of Control vs. Power of Influence

20. When people of action cease to believe in a cause, they begin to believe only in the action!

21. Leadership - Purpose - Character - Excellence are inseparable

23. Leadership is the capacity to influence others through inspiration, motivated by a passion , generated by a vision , produced by conviction , ignited by a purpose . Myles Munroe The Spirit of Leadership

25. “ One is apt to think of moral failure as due to weakness of character: more often it is due to an inadequate ideal.” Richard Livingstone British Scholar 1880-1960

29. Illinois State Police Academy

31. “ The soul is dyed the color of its thoughts ...The content of your character is your choice. Day by day, what you choose, what you think and what you do is who you become. Your integrity is your destiny ... it is the light that guides your way. - Heraclitus Greek Poet and Philospher 2500 Years Ago

34. The Nobility of Your Mission “ When you begin to doubt the nobility of your mission or the sanctity of your profession because your heart is heavy, or you feel anger, disillusionment, disenfranchisement, betrayed or confused -- stop and listen to the voices... the voices that rise up from ... a field in Pennsylvania, from a wall at the Pentagon and from the spot of earth the world has come to know as Ground Zero. Because if you listen, you will hear those souls tell you “thank you” for what you do ... hear them cheering you on. Let them carry you through this difficult moment, allow them to nourish you and encourage you and doubt no more, for you are warriors and champions for those who have gone before and to those most vulnerable now. You are admired and respected, for you are the best at what you do. God bless you ...” John R. Thomas First Deputy Superintendent Chicago Police Dept.