Speakers educate and empower law enforcement leaders and staff in tri-state area
Hempstead, N.Y. (Sept. 19, 2023) – In an effort to empower law enforcement officers with executive leadership skills, The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Foundation recently sponsored the third annual Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Executive Leadership Conference. The conference, hosted by Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D Toulon, Jr., was held on Sept. 18-19 at The Sondra and David S. Mack Student Services Center at Hofstra University.
This year’s conference attracted more than 200 upper-level members of staff from various law enforcement agencies, government and public sector businesses in Suffolk County.
Speakers on day one included Marissa Levin, a noted leadership expert, who inspired attendees to elevate their consciousness, awaken their highest possibilities, dial into their inner knowing and intuition, and step into their limitless potential. National Hockey League Hall of Famer Pat LaFontaine spoke about his time as an Islander and as team captain of the Buffalo Sabres and how he inspired and encouraged his teammates despite multiple concussions and health issues.
Former Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best shared her experience leading the force through challenging and often polarizing times, as well as her proven strategies for effective, values-based leadership, including fostering an engaging environment of community, collaboration, trust and diverse perspectives.
Speakers on day two included former New York Police Department Chief Joe Fox. Fox inspired attendees to evaluate their own leadership qualities and encouraged them to take care of themselves.
“Taking care of yourself is not selfish,” said Fox. “It’s selfless because it better enables you to take care of others.”
Former Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Gil Kerlikowske shared experiences from his 40-year career and his expertise in the field of prescription drugs and drug policy during an era of rampant fentanyl smuggling across the U.S. borders.
Day two concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Undersheriff Steven Kuehhas. Kuehhas sat down with old Westbury Chief of Police (and former Acting Suffolk County Police Department Commissioner) Stuart Cameron, former First Deputy New York City Police Commissioner Benjamin Tucker and former Bureau Chief with the New York City Department of Correction Pete Curcio. This panel discussed their own leadership styles and how they inspired their respective agencies to succeed. They also discussed the importance of a support system with an emphasis on officer wellness.
“This is our third year of presenting high-quality leadership training to upper-level law enforcement personnel across the region and beyond — instruction that is sorely lacking for leaders in most agencies,” said Toulon. “I thank the speakers for sharing their own leadership expertise and personal experiences in successfully leading and inspiring the nation’s law enforcement agencies.”
Toulon created the Executive Leadership Conference to help bridge the gap that exists in leadership training for law enforcement. The invitation-only conference was open to high-ranking law enforcement officials from Suffolk County, Nassau County, New York City and beyond.
With more than three centuries of continuous service, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office is the oldest law enforcement in Suffolk County, N.Y., and has become known as one of the most innovative law enforcement agencies and correctional systems in the country.
The philosophy and approach of Toulon was the impetus for the birth of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Foundation in 2020. The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office combines its work with the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Foundation to build a stronger community.
The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Foundation’s mission is to support community-based programming to reduce incidents of crime and recidivism, improve outcomes for at-risk individuals, and build positive relationships with members of law enforcement.
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