Servant Leadership in Motion at Coppell Police Department

by Andrea Tristan

Police officers may be one of the most obvious examples of servant-leaders. Those that are often most successful are those who come with a true desire to serve, protect, and care for others and not simply for the prestige and power that comes with wearing a badge or carrying a gun. People often think of servant leadership and police work as an unlikely combination. Servant leadership may be viewed as “too soft” or “too emotional” for police who are thought to be tough, narrow-focused, by-the-book individuals. However, as Robert Greenleaf said, “Caring is an exacting and demanding business. It requires not only interest and compassion and concern; it demands self-sacrifice and wisdom and tough mindedness, and discipline.” Not exactly soft stuff or easy to do, is it? So it seemed only fitting our first Servant Leadership Learning Community session of the year take place within a police department, where servant leadership can often thrive beyond belief.

March 2, 2012, kicked off our first SLLC session of our 13^th year. I am only in my 5^th month working with AMCA and this was my first SLLC to attend as an AMCA Partner, but I am extremely confident when I say this may have been the best SLLC since the groups formation almost 13 years ago in 1999. One of our long-term members, City of Coppell Police Chief Mac Tristan hosted this first session along with Deputy Chief Matt Kosec at the Coppell Police Department. Chief Tristan accepted the position of Police Chief only 14 months ago and from day one has set the Coppell Police Department on a journey of transformation focused on interdependence and creating a culture centered on servant leadership and community problem oriented policing.

Chief Tristan will be the first to tell you this has not been an easy transformation and the journey has been filled with challenges. He would also tell you, as he told us, the transformation had very little to do with him and almost everything to do with the incredible officers at Coppell PD who have always been servant-leaders and simply needed the opportunity to let their voices be heard. Members of our SLLC group from Southwest Airlines, TD Industries, Celebration Restaurant, Balfour Beatty, Parkland Hospital, TEMPO, Collin County, and other organizations had the great privilege to hear the voices of these courageous officers as they told their powerful stories of the servant leadership journey they are currently on.

Nine incredibly brave officers shared their personal stories in front of powerful leaders and top executives in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, about what it has been like becoming a servant-led organization.  Trust was a word that was frequently mentioned; after all, if officers are trusted with a gun and a badge, why would they not be trusted to lead initiatives?  While each of the officers mentioned Chief Tristan’s intention to create an environment in which they could succeed, they gave wonderful examples of their own and their team’s accomplishments.  They shared stories that illustrated the leadership potential was always there – it was just a matter of releasing it!

Dr. Ann McGee-Cooper often reminds us of the tremendous power of storytelling and we are constantly searching for great stories from our Clients to share with others and use as powerful teaching tools. Because of the great stories from the Coppell officers, many of our long-time members left that day inspired, motivated, and refreshed. Those on the servant leadership journey for many years said the officers’ stories renewed their spirits and served as confirmation that servant leadership does work.