Strategic Trust
In leadership, there are two words that don’t commonly appear together in conversation: strategic and trust. For police officers, this connection is especially important. Being strategic means acting with deliberation, calculation, and purpose. Trust involves confidence, faith, and belief in others. Together, Strategic Trust creates the foundation for effective leadership.
Strategically cultivating trust within relationships establishes a culture of open communication, mutual respect, and loyalty—key elements for building teamwork and enhancing community trust. By intentionally nurturing trust, leaders empower their teams to take risks, share ideas openly, and align with the department's mission.
For the Decatur Police Department, Strategic Trust extends beyond internal team dynamics to the community we serve. When officers consistently demonstrate integrity, fairness, and care, they strengthen the bond between the department and the community. Adhering to the Trust Triangle framework and principles discussed in this session, we can improve collaboration, exemplify accountability, and uphold DPD’s core values: Teamwork, Wisdom, Accountability, Fairness, and Courage.
Self-Assessment:
Strategic Trust
Please take a few moments to think about the following self-reflection questions. Where can you identify opportunities for personal growth in your leadership approach?
Do I make a strategic effort to establish and maintain trust within my relationships, both with my team and the community?
Do I treat all colleagues, team members, and community members with respect, valuing their contributions and perspectives?
Am I predictable and reliable in my actions, enabling others to trust me?
Do I communicate openly and transparently, ensuring that I’m keeping others informed and addressing difficult issues honestly?
Do my actions align with my words? Do I follow through on promises and commitments?
Am I willing to admit mistakes and uncertainties, fostering a culture of accountability and growth?
Do I treat all individuals impartially and fairly, avoiding bias and favoritism?
Do I maintain confidentiality, ensuring that trust is not compromised through careless sharing of sensitive information?
This self-assessment is a starting point for evaluating your Strategic Trust skills. Reflect on your responses, identify areas for growth, and seek feedback from your ECFL coach or a trusted mentor to strengthen your leadership on and off duty.
“The glue that holds all relationships together—including the relationship between the leader and the led—is trust, and trust is based on integrity.”
Geese: Very Strategic Leaders
Strategic Trust involves creating a coordinated framework to build, sustain, and enhance trust within individual relationships and throughout the organization. A powerful example of strategic trust can be observed in the natural world, particularly in a flock of geese flying in V formation. Let’s explore this analogy and how it relates to the Trust Triangle, a foundational model for healthy relationships in both professional and community contexts.
Respect: When geese fly in V formation, each bird respects the wingspan of the other. This mutual respect creates uplift for the birds behind, allowing the flock to travel 71% farther than a bird flying alone. For leaders, this translates to recognizing the value of each team member’s contributions and supporting one another to achieve collective goals.
Connection: If a goose leaves the formation, the connection within the group is temporarily broken. The lone goose feels drag and resistance but regains strength and efficiency upon returning to the flock. This demonstrates the power of connection in restoring momentum and cohesion. Similarly, building strong interpersonal connections in your team ensures a collective sense of purpose and shared strength.
Authenticity: When the lead goose tires, it rotates to the back, and another goose takes the point position. Each bird’s authentic contribution to leadership keeps the group moving forward. Authenticity in leadership means recognizing your limits, sharing responsibility, and allowing others to lead when necessary.
Conflict: Geese honk to encourage one another and to warn of danger. Their honks, which might seem like conflict, are actually essential for communication and coordination. Healthy conflict in a team—when based on respect and trust—can inspire innovation, resolve issues, and strengthen relationships.
Trust: When a goose becomes sick or injured, two others accompany it to the ground, staying until it recovers or dies. This unwavering commitment embodies trust. Officers, like geese, must build trust through consistent, supportive actions, ensuring team members and community members feel valued and protected.
The geese’s coordinated efforts highlight two key principles: (1) healthy, sustained relationships require effort, and (2) commitment to staying together leads to powerful outcomes. For leaders, building trust strategically requires intentional behavior rooted in respect, connection, authenticity, and effective conflict management.
Strategic Trust and the Trust Triangle
Strategic Trust is essential for a thriving police department, encompassing officers, department staff, and supervisors alike. Building strong relationships within the department and with the community requires deliberate effort and thoughtful action. The Trust Triangle provides a framework to guide these efforts, with respect at its foundation and trust as the ultimate goal. Between these two points are the elements of connection, authenticity, and conflict—key contributors to successful and sustainable relationships.
To create a cohesive and high-performing department, Strategic Trust must be developed through intentional planning, consistent actions, and open communication. Nature offers a powerful metaphor: the coordinated behaviors of geese illustrate how respect, connection, authenticity, and productive conflict build strong, resilient teams. By embracing these principles, department personnel and leadership can strengthen collaboration within the organization and establish credibility with the community they serve.
Respect
Respect forms the foundation of the Trust Triangle. It also forms the foundation of every strong relationship, whether among colleagues within the department or with the community we serve. Respect means valuing every team member’s role, from officers patrolling the streets to supervisors making critical decisions, and the administrative staff ensuring smooth daily operations. It’s about listening, recognizing contributions, and treating everyone with fairness and dignity.
In the community, respect is built through professional, empathetic, and impartial interactions. It’s about treating people as individuals and not letting assumptions or first impressions guide our actions. When we show respect, we create an environment of trust and cooperation, making everyone safer.
Connection
Connection is essential for building trust and strengthening relationships. Within the department, connection grows through open communication, compassion, and mutual support. Supervisors strengthen their teams by knowing their officers and staff, celebrating successes, and addressing concerns with genuine care.
In the community, connection comes from being present and engaged. Attending local events, actively listening to concerns, and maintaining an approachable presence show residents that we are here to serve and support them. Strong connections help both department members and community members feel valued and included in meaningful conversations.
Authenticity
Authenticity lies at the heart of the Trust Triangle. Within the department, it means staying consistent and transparent in both words and actions. Leaders demonstrate authenticity by owning their mistakes, upholding the department’s core values, and maintaining open lines of communication.
In the community, authenticity means showing genuine care and avoiding empty gestures. It’s about following through on promises and ensuring that our actions reflect our commitment to service. Whether within the department or out in the field, authenticity builds credibility and integrity in every relationship
Conflict
Conflict, when addressed constructively, can lead to growth and stronger relationships. Within the department, resolving conflict requires respectful dialogue, understanding different perspectives, and finding fair solutions that build unity. Supervisors play a crucial role by mediating disputes, promoting fairness, and guiding teams through challenges in a way that strengthens trust.
In the community, handling conflict involves de-escalation, active listening, and honest communication. When managed effectively, conflict becomes an opportunity to show professionalism, fairness, and resilience, strengthening trust and respect with those we serve.
Trust
At the top of the Triangle is Trust—the ultimate goal and the culmination of consistent efforts to exhibit respect, cultivate meaningful connections, demonstrate authenticity, and manage conflict constructively. Within the department, trust empowers officers, staff, and supervisors to work together effectively, knowing they can rely on one another.
For the community, trust in the department leads to stronger partnerships, transparency, and mutual respect. Building trust takes time, effort, and consistency. When every member of the department—officers, staff, and leadership—lives by the principles of the Trust Triangle, we create a unified team ready to serve and protect with integrity and excellence.
Building trust between law enforcement and the community is essential for effective policing. These best practices offer steps to strengthen relationships, improve transparency, and promote fairness. By incorporating these strategies into daily practices, law enforcement can create safer, more cohesive communities rooted in mutual understanding and collaboration.
Build Relationships: Strong relationships form the foundation of effective community policing by fostering mutual respect and understanding.
Community Engagement: Regularly participate in community events, town halls, and neighborhood meetings.
Active Listening: Hear out community members' concerns and take actionable steps to address them.
Cultural Awareness: Learn about the diverse cultures and backgrounds in the community to build rapport.
Communicate Transparently: Open and honest communication builds trust by showing accountability and sharing intentions.
Honesty: Share information about policing strategies, challenges, and successes.
Explain Actions: Clearly communicate the reasons for decisions and actions, especially in contentious situations.
Regular Updates: Use social media or newsletters to keep the community informed about ongoing initiatives and safety tips.
Treat Everyone Fairly: Equitable treatment ensures every individual feels respected and valued during interactions with law enforcement.
Bias-Free Policing: Commit to treating everyone equally, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status.
Accountability: Admit and correct mistakes openly, showing commitment to improvement.
Procedural Justice: Follow fair processes and allow community members to voice their concerns during interactions.
Be Present and Visible: A visible presence helps build familiarity and makes officers more approachable within the community.
Foot Patrols: Spend time walking through neighborhoods, creating opportunities for informal interactions.
School Programs: Engage with young people through school visits and mentoring programs.
Consistent Contact: Be a regular presence, not just during emergencies or conflicts.
Problem-Solving Approach: Effective problem-solving addresses underlying issues collaboratively to create lasting solutions.
Collaborative Efforts: Work with community leaders to identify and address root causes of issues like crime or public health concerns.
Proactive Strategies: Use data to anticipate problems and create prevention-based initiatives.
Conflict Resolution: Mediate disputes in a way that promotes understanding and reduces tension.
Show Empathy: Empathy strengthens trust and humanizes law enforcement in every community interaction.
Kindness in Action: Treat all individuals with dignity, even in high-stress or confrontational situations.
Support During Crises: Offer emotional and material support to victims of crimes or disasters.
Approachable Demeanor: Maintain a calm, friendly, and professional attitude.
Encourage Community Feedback: Community feedback helps law enforcement improve and adapt to meet residents' needs effectively.
Surveys and Forums: Actively seek opinions about police performance and community needs.
Citizen Review Boards: Support civilian oversight to enhance trust and credibility.
Open-Door Policy: Encourage direct communication with officers and leadership.
Lead by Example: Leadership in action inspires others and demonstrates commitment to ethical policing practices.
Ethical Standards: Consistently exhibit moral behavior in both professional and personal life.
Role Modeling: Inspire colleagues to adopt a community-centered approach to policing.
Positive Outcomes: Demonstrate success through reduced crime rates and improved quality of life.
Implementing these strategies requires time, consistency, and commitment. Trust is built incrementally but can lead to lasting, meaningful partnerships between police and the community.
“Trust sounds soft, but it may be one of the most important attributes that a leader can earn from others.”
Enhance your understanding of Strategic Trust by reviewing the following resources. Take this opportunity to enhance your leadership effectiveness and expand your influence within the department and community.
The importance of mindset in policing | Chip Huth | TEDxTacoma (10:30)
7 keys for police leaders to improve trust with subordinates
Leadership development series: 3 powerful trust-building exercises to strengthen team trust