FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT
CHIEF JOHN ZEBROWSKI SAYREVILLE PD
The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | May 2022
Recently , I travelled to Normandy , France with 30 police executives to experience and become immersed in the ALLIED invasion of the five beaches of Normandy which comprised the infamous June 6 , 1944 combined military action to combat the German occupation of France . This is one of several opportunities offered by the NJSACOP that I ’ ve had the honor to attend . After the program , I was left with both an inspired view of American leadership and awe for the heroic manner in which these military leaders and their troops conducted themselves during the most difficult of conditions .
There were a number of lessons learned . We discussed how meticulous planning still needed to be simple in its context . How essential accurate and complete communication was to ensuring every soldier understood what was expected . And , it became clear that an invasion as complex as this operation necessitated decision-making to be decentralized and pushed down to the lowest ranks . Lastly , we discussed similar character traits possessed by both the military leaders and those within the military who were recognized for their heroic acts under fire .
There were many of those traits on display throughout the invasion . But , perhaps none more important than having the courage to act . This trait was emulated in different forms and on different levels throughout the Normandy invasion and became a key component to its ultimate success . Courage is most often recognized when split second life and death decisions are made . And , there were many during the days of the Normandy Invasion .
However , there were also countless courageous decisions made that not only directly impacted human life but that of global politics , military practices , as well as , the very cause that sent so many young men to battle on the beaches of Normandy . Many have been chronicled and I am sure there were so many more that went without recognition at the time but nonetheless were essential for the lives they saved and how they altered the direction of the war .
For example , as the continued occupation of France by the Germans seemed an inevitability , President Franklin D . Roosevelt implored Prime Minister Winston Churchill to set a deadline for an Allied invasion . His persistence in the face of Churchill ’ s reticence ultimately won Churchill over . But , it also set Roosevelt up for public backlash should the militaries fail to meet the deadline and most certainly if the invasion was viewed as less than a success . Roosevelt risked a legacy of public recrimination . But , understood the gravity of the moment and how important setting a deadline for the invasion would be to freeing France and ultimately the world of German tyranny .
General Dwight Eisenhower , who was named the Supreme Allied Commander , was far less battle tested than some of the more seasoned American military leaders . So , it would have been understandable if Eisenhower rubber stamped his approval of the very detailed battle plan that was presented to him . After all , this was a carefully crafted plan by some of the Allies ’ best military officers who had proven their mettle during prior military conflicts . Yet , sensing the need for a more enhanced approach , Eisenhower amended the plan . The decision was correct and done with that knowledge that it may result in the loss of more American lives .
There were also so many courageous decisions made by Colonels , Captains , Lieutenants and Sergeants who were thrust into making decisions that may or may not have been supported upon review . But , they were done with a steady resolve knowing that the moment necessitated their orders . Finally , and perhaps the most courageous of decisions were made by the 18 and 19 year old boys who steeled their nerves and leapt out of the cramped confines of wooden Higgins boats to face an imposing enemy with overwhelming firepower in order to protect their comrades and fulfil their obligation to their country .
Such decisions took great courage and conviction . Collectively , they combined to make history .
Although the decisions that we make on most days pale in comparison . There is a lesson to be learned from these various leaders and the courage they displayed when confronted with obstacles . We live in a polarizing world that makes it more difficult to step beyond the comfort zone and , now more than ever , necessitates a certain level of courage to stand on our convictions for what we believe to be best for our police agencies , our officers and staff and to the communities we serve . That ’ s why I believe that the courage to act , while sometimes overlooked , remains one of the most essential character traits to be a good leader .
Many thanks to William “ Pat ” Schuber , Dave Annets , Mitch and the NJSACOP for providing such an eye opening opportunity to learn from the world ’ s best leaders . It was an unforgettable experience .
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