April 2026 | The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine 51
• Application:
◦ Force Multipliers: A smart commander treats smaller agencies as specialists, not subordinates. A School Resource Officer knows the juvenile network better than a Federal agent; a Transit officer knows escape routes better than a detective.
◦ Inclusion: Give smaller partners a seat at the planning table, not just a role in the perimeter security. When partners feel respected( as the French did under Clark), they perform beyond expectations.
Managing " Paranoia " and Trust
The Historical Lesson: Clark believed the British were using American lives for British Imperial interests, leading him to hide his plans. The LE Translation: Local agencies often fear that inviting Federal assistance means they will be pushed aside or that their local priorities will be sacrificed for federal statistics.
• Application:
◦ Transparency Loops: If you are the lead agency, you must actively dismantle the " us vs. them " narrative. Share credit openly and lavishly. If a local agency provides the tip, they should be front and center in the win.
◦ Protecting Your People: Just as Clark wanted to protect American lives, a Chief wants to protect their officers ' careers and safety. Task force leaders must assure participating agencies that their officers will not be hung out to dry legally or physically during joint ops.
Listening to the " Truscotts "( Dissent from Below)
The Historical Lesson: General Truscott warned Clark that turning for Rome was a mistake, but Clark’ s ambition deafened him to sound tactical advice from the ground. The LE Translation: Command staff can become insulated by political pressures( e. g., mayoral pressure to reduce crime stats). They may order " crackdowns " or " sweeps " that look good on paper but are tactically unsound or alienate the community.
• Application:
◦ Red Teaming: Encourage sergeants and lieutenants to " Red Team "( critique) operational plans without fear of reprisal.
◦ The " Street " Check: Before making a major strategic shift( like Clark turning the army), a Chief should consult the " Truscotts "— the veteran street cops who understand the immediate tactical reality better than headquarters does.
Likewise, informal flaky instructions should be replaced by a Memorandum of Understanding( MOU) designed to solve the specific coalition failures General Clark experienced in Italy.
MOUs replace " gentleman’ s agreements " with codified rules, ensure credit is shared, and creates a structure where tactical wisdom overrules political ambition.
Next Month – Part Two: Example Memorandum of Understanding