Leadership is an essential quality for the police. I believe we are called to take moral leadership in our communities, which is a call to higher standards of character.

My son is a Marine and I work with them almost daily in my assignment here in Afghanistan. So I can appreciate the leadership and "can do" attitude that they bring to the mission.

GEN Krulak, former commandant of the Marine Corps, gave some powerful lessons on character and integrity that I have incorporated into my own Police Dynamics training. I particularly like his analysis of the word "integrity." He traces its roots to the Latin word "integritas" and talks about how it was used by the Roman Legion to designate a soldier who was totally prepared -- physically, mentally, and spiritually -- to accomplish the mission at hand.

But my favorite quote on leadership comes from GEN Norman Schwarzkopf. He said, "Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy." Well said, General!

Sheriff Ray Nash
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