The Dante S. Stephensen Memorial Leadership Conversations
The Dante S. Stephensen Memorial Leadership Conversations professional training series is named after GILEE Graduate (2000) and Supporter Dante S. Stephensen (1935-2020). Dante was an Atlanta icon as a prominent restaurateur and served his country as a Navy Seal. At Dante’s Down the Hatch he was a gracious host who promoted an enjoyable culinary entertainment along with great live jazz music. He was a supporter of law enforcement and a generous benefactor to a number of charities such as Fernbank Museum and the African Wild Animals Preservation Group. He was an avid researcher and an amateur anthropologist and geologist; his annual letters described his world travels and brought remote corners of the world closer. Dedicating GILEE’s Leadership Conversation series in his memory is a fitting tribute.
Each meeting of the Lunch & Learn series features law enforcement leaders who engage in a moderated conversation about key issues that touch upon their insights, concerns, innovations, dilemmas, experiences, solutions, and their visions of policing. These monthly conversations are designed for law enforcement leaders, corporate security chiefs, and civic leaders. They provide an opportunity to discuss policing and public safety issues, challenges, and solutions, to foster better public-private partnerships. They are also intended to serve as educational training tools for law enforcement agencies for their own professional development.
In the first session of the series, three GILEE graduates discuss policies and procedures and their implementation that benefits not only law enforcement but also the community served by their police departments. The discussion also focuses on the internal departmental issues such as officer recruitment and retention as well as internal culture and confidentiality of communication. The complexities of the pandemic have brought forth unique challenges that have called upon innovative solutions
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State agency leaders discuss how they have been able to utilize pandemic adversity to their advantage by leveraging and building on available technology. The discussion also focuses on how to address crimes that have proliferated during the pandemic, proactive communication, and engagement with the community in shaping police reform.
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How has the sudden and complex adversity of the pandemic affect jail operations? Sheriffs discuss new procedures and layers of protection that were implemented to mitigate the risk to the inmate population, as well as the law enforcement personnel. Discussion also focuses on current challenges and trends in recruitment and retention of deputies in metro Atlanta and rural Georgia, and the value of mentorship and leadership that leads to greater transparency and accountability to the local communities.
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Developing and nurturing collaborative relationships with your community. Addressing officer mental health by strengthening peer support programs and implementing early intervention systems. Police chiefs from Georgia, North Carolina, and Kentucky discuss navigating tumultuous 2020 and building a more diverse, more balanced, and more respectful profession.
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Reimagining policing through self-reflection and self-audit to bridge gaps and drive change. Encourage and empower officers to think outside the box and bring their talents into the profession to connect with people in the community, Discussion also focuses on the gradual meticulous process of building partnerships with the community to achieve common goals of truth, justice, and fundamental fairness.
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How has the mental health impact of the pandemic influenced criminal activity? Law enforcement leaders discuss partnerships and inter-agency initiatives that have helped to keep communities safe. Discussion also focuses on mentorship and leadership that fosters service-oriented policing promoting consistent professional behavior with compassion towards the community.
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Police chiefs that went on to become city managers discuss their transition from leading one department to overseeing multiple departments of the city government. How to manage expectations and keep a balance from a city-wide perspective, with an emphasis on inclusion and communication using a multitude of platforms and various methodologies. Partnerships, input, and commitment from all segments of the city are vital in solving problems and keeping our communities safe.
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Ed Densmore, City Manager, Johns Creek GA
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Tony Lucas, City Manager, Conyers GA
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Kenny Smith, City Manager (Ret.), Griffin GA
Where will policing be in 5-10 years? Chiefs discuss current and future challenges such as retainment and recruitment; changes in law; and media coverage. Successful reform of police needs to be grounded in realistic expectations, intelligence-led enforcement, and increasing overall community engagement by the police officers.
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Embracing change and restructuring the police environment by recognizing and attracting talent that brings forth innovation and growth of the law enforcement profession. Police chiefs and sheriff discuss how the supply chain issues affected their ability to continue provision of public service; how the usage surge and the convenience of virtual communication platforms aided and/or hindered law enforcement operations; and how leadership navigated the intense mental strain of the pandemic and social unrest to manage officer retention and daily operations.
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Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic – how have law enforcement leaders navigated internal issues, local public health mandates, and community outreach. Police chiefs discuss the importance of transparency and communication with the officers they lead, the elected officials, and the public they serve. With social unrest and tensions affecting officer recruitment and retention, police leaders highlight innovative ways they have adopted to keep their departments moving forward.
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Is policing on the precipice of becoming the most innovative and professional version of American policing? Chiefs discuss the importance of leadership by connecting with their officers and inspiring them to be guardians who serve with compassion; implementing reforms with changing times; and the importance of communicating with local government and citizens to educate them about policy and procedures and seek their input and guidance.
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Sheriffs discuss law enforcement challenges from the viewpoint of an elected official. As elected officials, it is their responsibility to serve every citizen of their community equally. Conversation focuses on principles that guide successful law enforcement: a servant’s heart at the very base of every action and reaction; visibility in the community to develop trust and break down barriers and fear; and understanding different perspectives and needs of the people by engaging in continuous dialogue and partnerships with the community and with other elected county officials.
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What are the components of successful leadership that serves both your officers and the community? Discussion focuses on continuing self-development as a leader of your agency; using passion, purpose and conviction to inspire and grow people internally within the agency as well as the community externally. Supporting higher education, providing innovative training and the necessary support to help your officers deal with the demands of the job and challenging times as well as supplying necessary tools to nurture their interests and talents.
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