The NJ Police Chief Magazine Volume 23, Number 9 | Page 5

The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | November 2017
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
MITCHELL C. SKLAR
Clearly Expressed Points of View
I try (not always successfully) to make time to regularly read a variety of publications. One
that is always high on my list is “Parameters,” the quarterly publication of the U.S. Army
War College. This is an excellent and well regarded journal, for which I’ve been a long-time
avid reader. On occasion, I will go back and re-read some back issues; I do so because
although the content will not have changed, the same cannot be said for the reader.
Recently, I sat down with the Winter 2010-2011 edition of Parameters, which was a special 40th anniversary
volume, including reprints of notable articles from years past.
One of the articles that was reprinted in the anniversary edition was entitled “Generalship,” written by the
renowned historian Barbara Tuchman. This article was first published in the 1972 issue of Parameters, and was
reprinted in its entirety. Included with the reprint was the original Editor’s Note, which read as follows:
(Editor’s Note: On 3 April 1972, Mrs. Barbara W. Tuchman spoke at the US Army War College as part of the
evening lecture program. In her remarks she made some very astute observations on the qualities and
characteristics required of high military leaders. She extended her remarks by explaining her views on the role
and influence of the military in our society. Her thoughtful observations served to broaden the horizons of
all who heard her by exposing them to a clearly expressed point of view which varies from that held
by many military officers. We found her presentation to be stimulating, enlightening, and provocative,
and we are pleased to publish her remarks in Parameters.) [emphasis added]
When I read this note, a few things immediately struck me. First, it points out why our military has consistently
produced a corps of matchless leaders, men and women not only of courage and intelligence, but also exposed to
ideas and thoughts that challenge their institution’s conventional wisdom.
On a more immediate note, I am very glad to be able to say that what also stood out to me was that this is the
precise attitude that our Association has adopted when it comes to our Professional Development programming,
as well as to the pages of the New Jersey Police Chief Magazine. Those of you who have attended our courses I
hope will be able to attest to the fact that we often engage presenters and practitioners who challenge
comfortable assumptions and conventional wisdom. We are always on the lookout for qualified and experienced
presenters who can clearly articulate points of views which are, as the editor of Parameters put it, “stimulating,
enlightening, and provocative.” The goal is always to inform, and also to broaden horizons.
Over the years the post-program evaluations have proven the success of this philosophy. That’s not to say they
have always been complimentary or positive. Sometimes we have received program evaluations that express not
just disagreement but something close to resentment when reviewing one of those “stimulating, enlightening, and
provocative” presenters. But seeing past the disagreement (or discomfort) on the evaluation form, we can also
see that the attendees of our seminars and programs were actively engaged and giving real thought to important
issues, ideas, and the foundations—both practical and theoretical—of the role of the modern police executive.
Ultimately, whether some, all, or none of the attendees of these programs end up accepting or agreeing with the
presenter, each of them is forced to think through the issues, which is of course one of the real purposes behind
continuing professional development programs.
I suppose this stands as forewarning to those who may never have attended one of our executive seminars or
programs before: don’t come expecting to hear the same old thing in the same old way. Whether you end up
stimulated, enlightened, or provoked (or perhaps all three), you will be better prepared for the multitude of
challenges that confront police executives in the 21st century.
Mitchell C. Sklar, Esq.
NJSACOP Executive Director
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