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JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – Jacksonville police are hosting a two-day Emerging Leadership Program at the department.
The organization Sworn Impact brings continuing education and front-line leadership workshops to local departments. Sworn Impact instructor and Aurora, Colorado, police Sergeant Faith Goodrich got her start in Onslow County as a paramedic and later worked in emergency management.
Goodrich returned to Jacksonville to reunite with Interim Police Chief Ashley Weaver, whom she worked with in the 1990s. Weaver was an officer at the time.
Goodrich said the training focuses on leadership development.
“What they’re working on right now is kind of knowing themselves, knowing their own leadership styles, and developing a leadership philosophy,” Goodrich said.
Weaver said many of the people being trained, including lieutenants, supervisors, and sergeants, are new to their positions.
“Brand new supervisors, my sergeants, one that’s in there was just promoted a couple weeks ago. So, it’s those that haven’t developed bad habits yet and trying to get them on the right track right out of the gate,” Weaver said.
Weaver said holding people accountable involves more than discipline.
“Holding people accountable is not always about discipline. It’s also about helping them develop, helping them learn and helping them to be better officers, supervisors, and people in general,” Weaver said.
Goodrich said Sworn Impact aims to change perceptions of law enforcement.
“One of the things that Sworn Impact has built on is that we are hellbent on changing the perception of law enforcement in the United States. Professional and well-trained police officers have legitimacy inside their communities,” Goodrich said.
Weaver said the two-day training wraps up Tuesday. She said the training offered is something she has not seen before.
The program aims to help sergeants and lieutenants develop decision-making and wellness skills.
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