1st Edition

Unleashing the Power of Unconditional Respect Transforming Law Enforcement and Police Training

By Jack Colwell, Charles Huth Copyright 2010
    180 Pages
    by Routledge

    180 Pages 19 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    Every day, police officers face challenges ranging from petty annoyances to the risk of death in the line of duty. Coupled with these difficulties is, in some cases, lack of community respect for the officers despite the dangers these men and women confront while protecting the public. Exploring issues of courage, integrity, leadership, and character, Unleashing the Power of Unconditional Respect examines ways to effect organizational change that helps police officers inspire community trust and support with every citizen contact.

    The book begins by discussing why courage is often lacking in a bravery-rich culture such as law enforcement. It demonstrates how personal integrity is the foundation for unconditional respect, and provides reasons why having and maintaining integrity are some of the most difficult struggles for individuals and law enforcement officers in particular. It enumerates some of the tactical benefits of unconditional respect as well as interpersonal benefits.

    Then, the book explains the concept of anima-based leadership core competencies. It examines how unconditional respect affects law enforcement’s interaction with the communities in which it operates and describes how it creates and builds high character. Finally, the book explores way to influence an organizational culture toward unconditional respect.

    There is a blog dedicated to the book. Jack Colwell also maintains a blog entitled Human Factors in Law Enforcement. The authors' animated Youtube video discusses relationships between police and communities.

    A Thin Blue Line Through the Heart of Every Cop. Integrity: The Basis of Unconditional Respect. Unconditional Respect: The Tactical Edge of Officer Safety. I Hear Every Word You Say, but I Can’t Listen: Should I Care? Anima-Based Leadership. You Disgust Me! Does It Matter? From Noble Peace Officers to 911 Reactionary Force. Unconditional Respect: The Building of Character. Animating a Culture. Index.

    Biography

    Jack L. Colwell is the cofounder and co-instructor of the Regional Police Academy, Leadership Academy for the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department. Charles Huth is a national trainer and vice president of the National Law Enforcement Training Center and is a Sergeant with the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department.

    Unleashing the Power of Unconditional Respect: Transforming Law Enforcement and Police Training offers idealism and hope in an era missing both, and pushes TRUE courage in a profession that now desperately needs it. The concept of unconditional respect is the foundation of the service mindset that makes this profession more of a calling than a career, and is at the core of not only our life’s work, but our country’s most basic tenet — that being EVERYONE matters. We have entered a time in which the benefit of the doubt that officers used to take for granted has passed. Much of that can be traced to the way we have treated those we no longer respect. Making this book mandatory reading at every level would be a giant step toward realigning our core value compass and perhaps starting the credibility pendulum swinging back in the other direction. I strongly endorse the book and message that it sends, and hope for the sake of the profession that the word gets out.
    — Major Steve Ijames (ret.), Use of Force and Tactical Consultant to The International Association of Chiefs of Police, U.S. Department of State, and numerous law enforcement agencies around the world

    Much has been written about community policing, but nothing I have read expresses its essence as succinctly as Unleashing the Power of Unconditional Respect. It is an inspirational book of surpassing moral clarity that will challenge all who read it to be better than they are, on and off the job. A must-read not only for all in law enforcement, but for anyone who aspires to real personal and professional growth.
    — Alexis Artwohl, Ph.D., Tucson, Arizona and co-author of Deadly Force Encounters

    Colwell and Huth have written a book that deals with the very foundation not just of communication, but of civil society. Their careful thought, lifetimes of service, and insightful contribution will undoubtedly change the world for the better.
    — Joseph Grenny, New York Tim