Is Ferguson the Rise of Courageous Leadership?
Will Chief Doyle's leadership against violent demonstrations be an example for other cities and towns to follow?
In what can only be described as a surreal moment, the Ferguson Police Chief, made an about face and demonstrated the leadership often absent from police leaders. While recounting the criminal attack that caused Officer Travis Brown to be clinging to life with a traumatic head injury, Police Chief Troy Doyle delivered a firm message to activists, making it clear that any form of violence would no longer be tolerated in the community. Doyle warned those who resort to violence would face swift and decisive action from law enforcement.
The anniversary
Protesters were demonstrating due to the tenth anniversary of the death of Michael Brown, an event that took place on Canfield Drive on August 9, 2014. Brown attacked Officer Darren Wilson, tried to take his gun, and was shot. The only testimony that aligned with the evidence the officer’s. Testimony of false witnesses, who later recanted their testimony to Department of Justice officials, instigated weeks of violent protests between officers and activists on the unfounded basis of racism and excessive force.
I can’t imagine applying for the job of police chief in that troubled city. Ferguson experienced a dramatic demographic shift becoming a majority black city within a generation following the closing of a General Motors plant. You know going in that there will be more issues to navigate than minimum manning and labor agreements. He assumed command in April 2023, the eighth chief since 2014.
Doyle recounts some elements of that in his press conference discussing the events leading up to the attack on Officer Travis Brown. He either gave direction, or received direction, to not confront protesters and let them demonstrate. In the press conference, it sounds like after making preparations to keep protesters safe by blocking roads, Ferguson Police Headquarters was in a state of lockdown with most on-duty officers inside.
“So, what are you protesting? These officers not even here no more! Everything that the activist community has advocated for—as far as body-worn cameras, implicit bias training, crisis intervention training—all of this stuff, we have done all of this. What are we protesting? What is it? We even changed the uniforms at this police department because people said the old uniforms triggered people!”
As protesters began to attack the headquarters building including by dismantling sections of security fence, and intentionally causing destruction to all the property within the perimeter, there was no choice but to send an arrest team to respond to the safety and security threat. At that point Officer Brown was attacked and injured.
We’re done with it
ABC reports: "I had to look a mother in the eye today and tell her that her son, who joined this force to make a difference, might not make it. It's enough, and we're done with it. We want people to peacefully protest, but we will not allow them to destroy this city or harm our officers."
The chief’s firm stance against demonstrator violence has set a strong and courageous precedent. The future of the city remains at a critical juncture as the police department depends on the ongoing support from both the citizens and city hall. I often say that the true leaders will be easy to spot. They’re the ones who will tell the hustlers and troublemakers to hit the road and not come back.
Will this be the new trend?
If Chief Doyle’s commitment to maintaining peace through firm but fair policing is upheld, it could lead to a more stable and cooperative environment, not just in Ferguson. More than one person has recently said that courage is contagious. An inflection point is a term, when used correctly, to describe a moment of significant change or a key turning point that leads to a new direction. Could this be such a time? Could Ferguson, Missouri, the location where this started literally ten years ago to the day, be the place where courage makes a stand?
Keep Officer Travis Brown and the Ferguson Police Department in your prayers!
Roland Clee served a major Florida police department as a Community Service Officer for more than 26 years. His career included uniformed patrol, training, media relations, intelligence, criminal investigations, and chief’s staff. He writes the American Peace Officer newsletter, speaks at public safety, recruiting and leadership conferences and helps local governments and public safety agencies through his business, CommandStaffConsulting.com. His work is frequently featured on LawOfficer.com, the only law enforcement owned major media presence in the public safety realm.
References
Troy Doyle IS a good leader. He was the Captain that headed the North County precinct during Ferguson. Was head of the Division of Patrol when I was hired at County. Led the Division of Special Ops. Was a liason to the jail when their was a problem there. I have worked with many North County cops and beside members in Special Ops. I have never heard a cop say a bad word about his leadership.
Brown is a great guy. A good cop that takes his craft seriously and wants to help his community. I met him when we'd handle calls on the border of our respective precinct. Always humble. Always smiling and kind to me. Trained with him, he took it seriously. Even when he was picked up into a unit, he always had a kind word when I saw him.
I hope he recovers and can get back to doing the job and being with family.
The community, at least in my exp in adjacent Jennings, has so many good people just trying to get by. It just doesn't take much to instigate and pull outsiders in that cause problems.
Mostly the media doesn't present a fair picture of anything. Anymore it's tiktok-style sound bites, and instead of the depth and nuance deserved you get "hands up don't shoot." At best they'll throw "alleged" in front of police accounts.
the NY Post is still running the 14 yo picture of Mike Brown and referring to him as unarmed. Even though evidence supports Darren Wilson's account of fighting for the gun, and if you're fighting for a gun, you've moved past unarmed.
Thanks Roland!