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2016 Education Guide
60 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ OCTOBER 2016
Without education for law enforcement, there would be chaos
n BY STEPHEN SHERWIN
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, LEWIS UNIVERSITY
I retired from the Chicago Police Department in 2005 after proudly serving the citizens of Chicago for 38 years. After my tour in Vietnam with the U.S. Marine Corps, I joined the Chicago Police Department. My first assignment was the Englewood District where I was as- signed to the Patrol Division working in a beat car for 17 years, 15 years as a Field Training Officer. In my 17th year, I was promoted to sergeant, stayed in the Patrol Division and was assigned to the Prairie District, which encompassed Hyde Park, Chinatown, the Public Hous- ing projects of the Ickes, Hilliard’s, Dearborn’s, Calumet and Madden Courts.
Some of the most fulfilling years as a police officer came when I was assigned to lead a tactical team in the Prairie District. As a tactical team sergeant, I planned criminal apprehension and reduction strategies that included working with the ATF, Secret Service, FBI and the Illinois State Police Metropolitan Task Force. Many of the strategies involved “sting” and “reverse sting” drug interdiction and enforcement operations and the apprehension of criminal enterprise leaders and their confederates for crimes ranging from murder to sexu- al assault and everything in between. After 33 years of working in the Patrol Division, I was assigned to the Ed- ucation and Training Division – the Chicago Police De- partment’s training academy. I worked in recruit train- ing where I eventually became its commanding officer.
I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Saint Xavier University with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Criminal Justice. I went to the Illinois Institute of Tech- nology where I earned a Master’s of Public Administra- tion. I am currently enrolled at Aurora University in the Leadership in Adult and Higher Education Ed.D. Pro- gram. I went through training at Saint Xavier University where I received a certificate to train Conflict Resolu- tion and Mediation.
I have taught Conflict Resolution classes to many suburban police officers working in various suburban police departments. One of those was in Orland Park where all the officers and supervisors assigned there, in- cluding Chief Tim McCarthy, went through the training and establishment of a Mediation Center. I am a media- tor and worked pro bono in the Cook County Markham Court’s Juvenile Court with a 100-percent success rate.
All of my formal, informal and non-formal education and training has taught me skills on how to properly as- sess, prioritize and develop strategies in the prevention of crime and apprehending various criminal miscreants. My education was pivotal in organization, planning and leadership skills that influenced my ability to establish a desirable work culture in the various units I had been assigned to. My learning experience was transformative in regard to cultural diversity, which grounded me in the confidence that I needed to work with various com- munity leaders, politicians, my superiors, my peers and with citizens in an effort to improve the quality of living in their communities.
While at the Chicago Police Academy I progressively developed a scenario-based training program that had been handed over to me by a sergeant who developed the original program. The purpose of the program was to provide recruits with knowledge and skills in cultural diversity, judicious employment of lawful tactics, prop- er interaction skills and sound ethical and moral deci- sion making.
My academic journey has reinforced in my mind and my heart the values of “serving and protecting.” All that I learned in academia and my professional experiences has enabled me to be more empathetic, compassionate, caring, forgiving and hopeful.
Leadership has always been a key factor in law en- forcement. The ability to employ good leadership skills is the fundamental requirement in ensuring a judicious and prudent public service. Education is the means to learning and developing good leadership. Without good leadership, citizens will not be ethically and morally served and protected. Without good leadership, there would be a lack of care and trust.
Law enforcement is basic, yet ever-changing to the current needs of society. Without education to provide the knowledge and skills to police officers on how to remain constant in their ability to meet the demands and needs of a changing society there would be chaos. I am grateful for the opportunity to teach students the knowledge and skills that will help them achieve their goals to become staunch leaders in law enforcement and how they can make a difference in providing safety and creating trust within the communities.
Stephen L. Sherwin is an Assistant Professor for Justice, Law and Public Safety at Lewis University in Romeoville.