Meet the Leadership Blog Series
The IACP Board of Directors is comprised of the IACP Executive Board as well as 33 law enforcement leaders appointed by the IACP President. The members of the Board of Directors represent agencies large and small around the globe and contribute to the governance of the IACP. In the IACP’s new Meet the Leadership Blog Series, the IACP will feature brief profiles of the 33 appointed members of the Board of Directors, in the months leading up to the 2017 IACP Annual Conference and Exposition.
Name: Kevin Davis
Title: Police Commissioner
Agency: Baltimore, Maryland, Police Department
Year Joined the IACP: Early in my career when I started to get promoted.
Reason for Going into Law Enforcement: I am a fourth-generation public safety professional. The service aspect of law enforcement attracted me and keeps me going to this day. Police are some of the most visible representations of government, and it’s an honor to protect the values of our society every day.
First Heard about IACP: I’ve always known the IACP to be a think tank of policing. The work they do has always inspired me to be a part of the organization.
Becoming More Involved in IACP: I’ve served in three large police departments in my 25-year career. Leading a police department in challenging times demands police chiefs to be in touch with solutions to common problems. IACP provides that platform.
Favorite Part About Being in Law Enforcement: The small victories are always the most rewarding. Solving a crime, helping a neighborhood put together a collaboration plan, and innovative remedies to age-old challenges are rewarding experiences.
The Most Challenging Part of Law Enforcement: The availability of resources is always a challenge for leaders in our profession. Ensuring our young patrol officers receive the training and leadership they need to be successful requires our full time and attention.
One Piece of Advice for the Leaders of Tomorrow: Leadership is not a popularity contest. It’s lonely at the top. Make informed decisions and surround yourself with people who will tell you the truth. A good decision today is better than a perfect decision tomorrow.
Name: Mary Gavin
Title: Chief of Police
Agency: Falls Church, Virginia, Police Department
Year Joined the IACP: 1999
Reason for Going into Law Enforcement: A call to serve and help people, particularly juveniles.
First Heard about IACP: As a lieutenant with Arlington County, Virginia, Police Department, I went to my first IACP Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1999. Since that first visit to an IACP Conference, the association has been the source for crafting my law enforcement responses and assets as well as connecting with like-minded professionals.
Becoming More Involved in IACP: As a lieutenant and community policing liaison, IACP provided best practices which were invaluable in the world of community policing strategy. As I grew as a professional, my interests broadened and IACP provided resources for those interests.
Favorite Part About Being in Law Enforcement: This profession is challenging, riddled with hardship, demands grit, yet it reaps amazing rewards of witnessing the human spirit at its very best.
The Most Challenging Part of Law Enforcement: The challenges can fluctuate from budgets, to personnel, to politics, and the broad brush of stigmas surrounding the profession.
One Piece of Advice for the Leaders of Tomorrow: Be a continual learner as this profession is always changing and always challenging. Seek growth through change in a culture that is often resistant to change.
Name: David Zack
Title: Chief of Police
Agency: Town of Cheektowaga Police Department, NY
Year Joined the IACP: 2011
Reason for Going into Law Enforcement: Oddly, law enforcement was not my first choice. I was interested in teaching; however, law enforcement was always in the background. I was a fanatic for shows like Adam-12 and Dragnet as a kid. I didn’t know any cops growing up, but I did very much want to be like those guys I was watching on TV.
First Heard about IACP: My mentor was the chief who hired me. When I became chief, the first thing he told me was to get involved with IACP if I wanted to be successful. He stressed the benefits of networking and being aware of emerging trends.
Becoming More Involved in IACP: IACP provides so many benefits aside from the conferences, trainings, and publications. It is fascinating discussing this profession with my colleagues across the nation and worldwide. Each time I enter a room with them, I leave smarter than when I walked in. The opportunity to gain so many different perspectives has made me a better chief.
Favorite Part About Being in Law Enforcement: All of it, but the comradery most of all.
The Most Challenging Part of Law Enforcement: The biggest challenge for me is to keep the rank and file motivated. It’s awful tough out there for the men and women patrolling the streets and doing the heavy lifting.
One Piece of Advice for the Leaders of Tomorrow: Your inner circle shrinks every time you’re promoted and when you promote others. Remember that division commanders, platoon, and unit supervisors are struggling with their own internal politics which will affect the counsel they provide you. Listen to them, but always ask yourself what is best for the department and then do it, regardless of whose feelings get hurt. Those decisions will have short-term consequences yet reap long term rewards.
Name: Kevin Davis
Title: Police Commissioner
Agency: Baltimore, Maryland, Police Department
Year Joined the IACP: Early in my career when I started to get promoted.
Reason for Going into Law Enforcement: I am a fourth-generation public safety professional. The service aspect of law enforcement attracted me and keeps me going to this day. Police are some of the most visible representations of government, and it’s an honor to protect the values of our society every day.
First Heard about IACP: I’ve always known the IACP to be a think tank of policing. The work they do has always inspired me to be a part of the organization.
Becoming More Involved in IACP: I’ve served in three large police departments in my 25-year career. Leading a police department in challenging times demands police chiefs to be in touch with solutions to common problems. IACP provides that platform.
Favorite Part About Being in Law Enforcement: The small victories are always the most rewarding. Solving a crime, helping a neighborhood put together a collaboration plan, and innovative remedies to age-old challenges are rewarding experiences.
The Most Challenging Part of Law Enforcement: The availability of resources is always a challenge for leaders in our profession. Ensuring our young patrol officers receive the training and leadership they need to be successful requires our full time and attention.
One Piece of Advice for the Leaders of Tomorrow: Leadership is not a popularity contest. It’s lonely at the top. Make informed decisions and surround yourself with people who will tell you the truth. A good decision today is better than a perfect decision tomorrow.
Name: Mary Gavin
Title: Chief of Police
Agency: Falls Church, Virginia, Police Department
Year Joined the IACP: 1999
Reason for Going into Law Enforcement: A call to serve and help people, particularly juveniles.
First Heard about IACP: As a lieutenant with Arlington County, Virginia, Police Department, I went to my first IACP Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1999. Since that first visit to an IACP Conference, the association has been the source for crafting my law enforcement responses and assets as well as connecting with like-minded professionals.
Becoming More Involved in IACP: As a lieutenant and community policing liaison, IACP provided best practices which were invaluable in the world of community policing strategy. As I grew as a professional, my interests broadened and IACP provided resources for those interests.
Favorite Part About Being in Law Enforcement: This profession is challenging, riddled with hardship, demands grit, yet it reaps amazing rewards of witnessing the human spirit at its very best.
The Most Challenging Part of Law Enforcement: The challenges can fluctuate from budgets, to personnel, to politics, and the broad brush of stigmas surrounding the profession.
One Piece of Advice for the Leaders of Tomorrow: Be a continual learner as this profession is always changing and always challenging. Seek growth through change in a culture that is often resistant to change.
Name: David Zack
Title: Chief of Police
Agency: Town of Cheektowaga Police Department, NY
Year Joined the IACP: 2011
Reason for Going into Law Enforcement: Oddly, law enforcement was not my first choice. I was interested in teaching; however, law enforcement was always in the background. I was a fanatic for shows like Adam-12 and Dragnet as a kid. I didn’t know any cops growing up, but I did very much want to be like those guys I was watching on TV.
First Heard about IACP: My mentor was the chief who hired me. When I became chief, the first thing he told me was to get involved with IACP if I wanted to be successful. He stressed the benefits of networking and being aware of emerging trends.
Becoming More Involved in IACP: IACP provides so many benefits aside from the conferences, trainings, and publications. It is fascinating discussing this profession with my colleagues across the nation and worldwide. Each time I enter a room with them, I leave smarter than when I walked in. The opportunity to gain so many different perspectives has made me a better chief.
Favorite Part About Being in Law Enforcement: All of it, but the comradery most of all.
The Most Challenging Part of Law Enforcement: The biggest challenge for me is to keep the rank and file motivated. It’s awful tough out there for the men and women patrolling the streets and doing the heavy lifting.
One Piece of Advice for the Leaders of Tomorrow: Your inner circle shrinks every time you’re promoted and when you promote others. Remember that division commanders, platoon, and unit supervisors are struggling with their own internal politics which will affect the counsel they provide you. Listen to them, but always ask yourself what is best for the department and then do it, regardless of whose feelings get hurt. Those decisions will have short-term consequences yet reap long term rewards.
