Sussex police chiefs gather for leadership course
Sussex County police chiefs and their second-in-commands received a refresher course on leadership at a day-long workshop April 15 in Lewes.
Law enforcement from Lewes to Laurel, Greenwood to Ocean View, took part in the training exercise, organized by the Sussex County Police Chiefs Association and the Lewes Police Foundation.
The seminar was designed to reinforce fundamentals that the chiefs can take back to their officers and better serve their communities.
“The more we hear positive leadership messages, the better we can lead our agencies. It’s about hearing strategies to mentor and teach younger officers,” said Lewes Police Chief Tom Spell, president of the Sussex County Police Chiefs Association.
The seminar was run by Adam Salyards, founder of Tactical Leadership Solutions. Salyard is a 23-year law enforcement veteran and chief of police in Spring Township, Pa.
He spoke about five tactical leadership traits – capable, courageous, committed, confident and coachable – that allow for leadership by example.
“You’ve got to remain committed to your department, committed to your team. Sometimes we lose track of that as leaders. Our teams and our communities are first,” Salyard said.
Rehoboth Beach Police Chief Keith Banks said training helps enhance his department.
“It’s extremely important that we get together with our colleagues and think outside the box. We cannot stay stagnant. Getting together, bouncing ideas off each other is going to make us a better organization,” Banks said.
The chiefs also heard from Neil Trugman, a 47-year law enforcement officer, former Washington, D.C. police officer and retired chief of Amtrak Police. Trugman now lives in Lewes.
He said it is important for leadership to make sure their officers have the right tools and training to stay safe.
Trugman spoke about the 345 names on the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C.
“When the [memorial] was first developed in 1991, I knew three names on it. When I retired? 30,” Trugman said. “One of the biggest fears I had was the triangle flag and keeping my officers safe. It takes a toll on a person.”
Marcia Ferranto, the former CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, who recently moved to Lewes, talked about her background running nonprofits.
She said she is looking forward to helping the Lewes Police Foundation with funding.
Bill Shull has been covering Lewes for the Cape Gazette since 2023. He comes to the world of print journalism after 40 years in TV news. Bill has worked in his hometown of Philadelphia, as well as Atlanta and Washington, D.C. He came to Lewes in 2014 to help launch WRDE-TV. Bill served as WRDE’s news director for more than eight years, working in Lewes and Milton. He is a 1986 graduate of Penn State University. Bill is an avid aviation and wildlife photographer, and a big Penn State football, Phillies and PGA Tour golf fan. Bill, his wife Jill and their rescue cat, Lucky, live in Rehoboth Beach.
