The Power of Truth
Truth shapes how people see you and your department, and those perceptions build the foundation for trust. Without honesty, trust cannot exist—and without trust, a police department can’t effectively protect and serve its community. When truth becomes a guiding principle, it strengthens the integrity and accountability that are essential for effective policing.
Every leader—whether a supervisor, command staff member, or officer—carries the responsibility of upholding this principle. Every word spoken, action taken, and challenge faced is observed by your team and the community, shaping their confidence in your leadership.
Living truthfully requires a commitment to honesty, authenticity, and transparency, even when it’s difficult. By consistently prioritizing truth, you not only protect the trust you’ve worked hard to earn but also set the stage for stronger relationships within your team and the community.
The power of truth lies in its ability to build trust, inspire confidence, and create unity. For the Decatur Police Department, truth is more than just a value; it is the driving force behind our integrity and accountability. By committing to truth in our actions and decisions, we strengthen bonds within the department and with the community we serve.
Truth has the power to repair what is broken, prevent misunderstandings, and sustain the trust that is essential for success in protecting and serving. It is the foundation upon which all meaningful progress and relationships are built.
Self-Assessment:
The Power of Truth
Please take a few moments to contemplate the following self-reflection questions. Where can you identify opportunities for personal growth in your leadership approach?
Do department members feel comfortable sharing honest feedback, even if it differs from my own view?
Am I open and clear about our goals and what we need to do to achieve them?
Have I ever withheld the full truth, and how did that decision impact trust within the department?
Is my decision-making process and communication consistently open and straightforward?
Do I provide accurate information, even when it is hard to share?
Do I accept responsibility for mistakes and poor judgments, and do I address them openly?
Do I share both positive outcomes and setbacks to maintain trust within the department?
Is my leadership genuine, and does it remain steady when interacting with staff?
This self-assessment is a starting point for evaluating your Truthfulness. 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.
“Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.”
Words are important, but our actions speak louder. When what you say matches what you do, people see you as credible and trustworthy. Hiding facts, stretching the truth, or avoiding honesty creates confusion and breaks down the respect you have built.
To understand the power of truth, consider a simple but powerful story: “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” Although it’s a children’s tale, it offers helpful lessons for law enforcement leadership.
The Emperor’s New Clothes (A Brief Retelling)
There once was an Emperor who cared far too much about appearances. Two tricksters scammed him into believing they would create magnificent, magic clothes that would be invisible to anyone unfit for their position. Afraid of appearing foolish, the Emperor and his advisors pretended to see the clothes, even though they were actually nonexistent. It took a brave child’s honest words—“The Emperor has no clothes!”—to uncover the truth, embarrassing the Emperor and teaching everyone a valuable lesson about honesty.
Lessons from the Emperor’s Story:
Honesty Takes Courage: Being truthful, even when it is uncomfortable, builds real trust. Leaders should create an environment where people can speak honestly.
Avoid Only Hearing What You Want: The Emperor never heard real feedback. As a leader, welcome honest input from your team and community, even if it is hard to accept.
Value Substance Over Show: True leaders focus on doing what is right rather than just looking good.
Encourage Openness: If someone had spoken up sooner, the Emperor could have avoided embarrassment. Open communication helps detect and solve problems early, keeping trust strong.
Your community deserves leaders who choose truth over appearances, listen openly, admit mistakes, and take action to correct them.
Reflection Questions:
How can I make truth a guiding principle in my leadership?
How prepared am I to defend and uphold truth, even in tough times?
What steps will I take to maintain and strengthen trust, which is so vital to my role?
“Oh what a tangled web we weave
When first we practice to deceive!”
Speaking Up When It Counts
Lieutenant Chavez introduced a new community engagement plan, hoping to improve trust in a neighborhood with rising tensions. While most officers provided honest updates, one well-liked sergeant tended to give only glowing reports and ignored community complaints. A newer officer, Perkins, nervously mentioned that residents still felt overlooked.
Instead of dismissing Perkins’ concerns, Chavez listened carefully and looked deeper into the issue. Realizing certain outreach efforts weren’t working, he changed his approach and explained why to both his team and the community. By facing the truth instead of hiding it, Chavez showed that honest feedback mattered. This choice helped preserve trust within the department and with the public.
Ask Yourself:
Do I make it safe for others to be honest with me, or do I only welcome positive news?
When I hear unsettling feedback, do I react defensively, or do I pause to understand and address the issue?
Am I willing to admit my own mistakes to build trust, or am I tempted to cover them up?
Five Principles for Living Honestly
Stay Authentic: Ensure your actions reflect your values and principles.
Speak with Clarity: Avoid half-truths, vague statements, or omissions that can undermine trust.
Check Your Ego: Let humility guide your decisions instead of pride or the desire to protect your image.
Encourage Openness: Create space for honest conversations and welcome diverse perspectives, even when they challenge you.
Verify and Reflect: Seek evidence before accepting claims, and regularly evaluate whether your choices align with your core beliefs.
Truth is the foundation that supports every strong relationship in policing. Without honesty, trust fades away, and without trust, a department struggles to serve effectively. Just like the child who spoke the truth in “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” embracing honesty can break harmful illusions and keep your team and community on solid ground.
Best Practices for Truthful Leadership
Be Transparent in Decisions: Explain not only the outcome but the reasoning behind it, so officers and community members can understand the purpose and trust that you’ve considered their interests. By sharing your thought process, you encourage a sense of inclusion and reduce uncertainty. Reassuring officers during patrol changes—“We’re shifting resources to the east side because of more calls and resident requests”—builds trust.
Address Problems Fairly and Quickly: Confront issues openly and honestly, showing that no one is above accountability. Swift, fair action reinforces that you value honesty and that problems won’t fester in the shadows. After a procedural error, acknowledge it, communicate corrective actions, and move forward honestly.
Set Clear Standards: Make sure everyone understands that honesty and transparency are fundamental values, and hold people accountable when they fall short. Reinforce these standards regularly so that truthfulness becomes second nature. At the start of each shift: “Honest reporting is non-negotiable. If anyone withholds facts, we will address it right away.”
Create an Open Environment: Let people know it’s safe to speak the truth, even if what they say might be uncomfortable. Praise honesty and handle feedback respectfully. After a tough shift: “I know tonight was rough. Your honest input helps us improve, so please speak freely.”
Recognize Honest Behavior: Highlight and celebrate instances where officers demonstrate courage by being forthright, reinforcing the idea that honesty is not just expected, but genuinely appreciated. This positive reinforcement encourages others to follow suit. Publicly thank an officer who reports a data oversight: “Your honesty helped us correct a mistake and maintain our integrity.”
Trust is the cornerstone of accountability, and the Decatur Police Department’s dedication to honesty and integrity keeps that trust strong. Choosing to tell the truth—even when it’s difficult—shows that we hold ourselves accountable to our colleagues, our department, and our community. Every honest decision boosts our credibility, reinforces our core values, and reassures the public that we act with transparency and responsibility. Staying true to these principles builds lasting trust, encourages a culture where doing the right thing feels natural, and helps both the department and the community count on each other to uphold our shared values.
Transparency in policing: The key to building and keeping the community’s trust
Explore strategies for engaging underserved communities and rebuilding public confidence in law enforcement in this insightful article from Police Chief Magazine:
The Path to Trust - Police Chief Magazine
Watch this compelling scene from Courageous, where Javier's integrity is tested, demonstrating the power of moral courage:
Integrity Courageous Movie
Cultivating Everyday Courage: The Right Way to Speak Truth to Power
James R. Detert