Today, the Caruth Police Institute (CPI) held a graduation ceremony for Dallas, Grand Prairie, and DFW Airport Police officers who completed the Leadership Development Series.  The three-week course was designed to develop and/or enhance the leadership skills for the future leaders in their respective organization.  The Keynote Speaker, Dr. Larry D. Terry, II, Director of the Urban Institute SERCH of UNT Dallas, challenged the graduates to become better community leaders and not just police officers.  Dr. Terry further stated, “I like to think that citizenship is not where you live, but where you give.”  He ended by asking our leaders to “keep leading with humanity.”

The class president, Dallas Police Officer Tiaria Richardson, gave a commencement speech that lit the room with applause.  Officer Richardson explained her biggest take-away from the group discussion was how to become a master observer.  She stated, “As leaders, our observation skills allow us to see and listen to the verbal and non-verbal communication going on around us.”  She further explained, “As leaders, you must recognize that your accomplishments cannot be achieved on your own” and that going forward, “we as leaders should think about the reputation we want to leave behind.”

Chief U. Reneé Hall was present to show her support and to greet all the graduates.  Also in attendance were Executive Assistant Chief David Pughes, Assistant Chief Angela Shaw, Major Teena Schultz, and a host of family and friends.  Thank you graduates for recognizing the importance of leadership and taking the initiative to move your respective careers to the next level.