Page 5 - SEPT OCTOBER 2019_PJ - Final_Neat

Legacy

and

Leadership

By
Mike Davis is a Patrol Commander for the

Shavano Park Police Department and the
3rd Vice President for the Executive Board

of the Texas Police Association.

We understand the word legacy by definition to think about it for just a moment. Look through
be a gift that is handed down from one person your eyes at the next few sentences and think
to the other. What do you want to leave about the responsibility you have been given by
behind? Where are you in your career right the people. The people you serve have given
now? Are you a father, are you a mother, are you the ability to make your own decision,
you a supervisor? Are you a line officer or are apply the law, and take a life in your capacity as
you just starting out your career or have you a peace officer. There is no other profession in
been in it for a while? Have you had challenges which the people have given one person the
in your life that were good, bad, or otherwise? authority that they have given you as a police
Are you fulfilled and proud of your work? Who officer. You might think that soldiers have been
do you see when you look in the mirror when given the same authority but that is not the
you are in a police uniform? Have you worked same. A soldier is placed in a foreign land and
in the same organization or several? Are you on must be given permission to engage in combat.
the brink of retirement or considering changing This amount of responsibility requires trust,
your career? What got you to this point right good moral character, competence, integrity
now at this very moment? What was passed on and so much more as you already know. As
to you good, bad, or otherwise that made you many of us have heard over the years, with great
your proudest? power comes great responsibility. There is only
one other person that people trust with that
As police officers we have probably the most level of responsibility and it is the God they
important and impactful authority given to us by believe in.
the communities we serve. I want everybody to We serve the community that makes the rules

Sept./Oct. 2019 www.texaspoliceassociation.com • 866-997-8282 1