According to the International Association of Chiefs of Police, “Ethics remain our greatest training and leadership need today.”

My research indicates these programs show success in many areas. By implementing a character based training program, we will be able to:

Improve the Sheriff’s Department’s relationship with citizens.

Build relationships with entire communities.

Promote professional character, integrity and ethics.

Promote trust and respect between citizens and Sheriff’s Department personnel.

Build confidence and trust between department personnel and these positive relationships in the Sheriff’s Department will bring positive changes in the community.

Raise morale and even build better relationships a home. For when a person has problems at home they tend to bring them to work and it affects their job performance.

Change the organizational philosophy from achievement based to principles of good character. You can have achievement without character, but at what cost will an employee attempt to seek recognition for an achievement? Will he lie or falsify evidence; or fail to be supportive of his fellow employees? “By recognizing employees by praising them for their character, instead of mere achievement or length of service, … organizations have continued to thrive with a dedicated work force, quality service and satisfied citizens.”

Expand the concept of the annual “taking back the streets” by identifying specific problem neighborhoods; then by working with the leaders in the neighborhood, identifying the causes of crime in that neighborhood and through a joint effort of law enforcement and citizens, we can take back one neighborhood at a time.

Life is about relationships and so is serving the citizens of Lexington County.

We need a staff that has character traits such as:

Alertness	Attentiveness	Compassion	Decisiveness
Dependability	Determination	Diligence	Discretion
Faith	Flexibility	Forgiveness	Gratefulness
Humility	Initiative	Justice	Loyalty
Meekness	Patience	Punctuality	Resourcefulness
Responsibility	Self-Control	Sensitivity	Sincerity
Thoroughness	Tolerance	Truthfulness	Wisdom