The importance of mindset in policing | Chip Huth | TEDxTacoma

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Published 2015-04-20

In the wake of recent high-profile events, police departments and the communities they serve are facing many complex challenges. There are currently many options on the table for meeting the evolving expectations of our citizens; however, behavioral prescriptions, revised legal mandates, and technological applications each have limited ability to affect the law enforcement culture in meaningful ways. What is needed is a shift in the way the police see themselves in relationship to their respective communities. What follows this change in mindset are opportunities for law enforcement to engage and partner with the community to build relationships that can be leveraged to instill safety, security and hope.

Charles “Chip” Huth is a Captain and watch commander with the Kansas City, Mo. Police Department. During his nearly quarter-century career, he has executed or supervised more than 2,500 high-risk tactical actions. He is past President of the National Law Enforcement Training Center, a non-profit organization in Kansas City, and an Army veteran. He is a widely known expert in police tactics and provides police training to agencies throughout the United States. Mr. Huth is a sought after speaker in law enforcement and corporate venues. In 2008, Mr. Huth became a licensed trainer of the Arbinger Institute’s programs within the Kansas City PD. Since 2010, he has been deployed to Arbinger’s clients as a master facilitator and senior consultant to help organizations and their leaders eliminate conflict and create high-trust, high-performance cultures. He is co-author of the book Unleashing the Power of Unconditional Respect – Transforming Law Enforcement and Police Training.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

All Comments (21)

@buck2552jr100 6 years ago

Treating people like people is important. We are here to serve and protect, not demand and command.
@mildridj3423 4 years ago

Who would have thought that treating people like people would yield such great results?
@derekboch143 8 years ago

This should be mandatory in every academy and roll call room in this country, because it's absolutely correct!
@aaronbrill1756 8 years ago

I'm going to play this for the police recruits at the academy I teach at. Thank you Sir.
@deibucoron9223 7 years ago

The new way of Policing is just an adjustment in thinking from WARRIOR to a Guardian with proper balance of power.
@NateM 6 years ago

This guy is one of the good guys. Thank you Captain Huth.
@94VandalFavorites 8 years ago

How inspiring for everyone. We strive for a constructive culture at my organization and we use people like Chip who live it everyday as role models. Thank you for sharing your journey.
@kenwallentine4964 9 years ago

Chipp Huth speaks bold and urgent truths. Community leaders and police commanders alike should listen to this presentation, Then act. Thanks to a great American cop!
@icecreamjunkie6790 1 year ago

What an amazing officer. Everyone talks about community policing but rarely is it implemented as thoroughly and effectively as this gentleman and his team did. Props to him and everyone who made that possible.
@deol1 4 years ago

A lot police departments need to follow what this guy is saying being humane is the key to success
@zachmarchese8369 4 years ago

Added the video to our FTO manual. Thank you!
@erythrozyt1168 3 years ago

Empathy is the key. So relevant today.
@bluemanchicago9421 3 years ago

Great cop....God bless him and all those like him. Serve and Protect.
@paulsneed1952 2 years ago

This is great! Thank you, Captain Huth. I wish this story could be made as a movie. I'd love to see the play by play of how this all went down. Props, too, for the community members for their part in making this happen, too.
@Monique-gc7si 3 years ago

This IS THE ANSWER!!!!!!! Brilliant! I am a Kansan and PROUD!!!
@theresacoster7366 1 month ago

Well done sir, this was a very valuable lesson for me. When police officers become people who understand the situation and work together with the community they get a better response to what is actually going on. When the community works with the police they get a better understanding that they are looking to clean up their states and not hurt them. This officer was willing to understand the needs of the people who were being arrested and tried to make the arrests smoother and less harmful for everyone. Well done to you and your team for understanding that people have needs and even under the worst circumstances can be done with just a little empathy. May God bless your police department and may you all go home safely to your families every night. 🙏🙏🙏
@cakecompanyflorida 3 years ago

Thank you Captain Huth. I have always been extremely proud of the police department.
@Rick123691 1 year ago

May GOD bless you Chief ! It’s perfectly clear that you stand up for your Men ! ❤️🚔
@pme8370 1 year ago

That’s amazing to hear how far empathy can go. It’s unfortunate that stories like these are not shared more often. I just feel for the police officers because it seems like whenever there is real change to be made they have to pay for it out of their own pockets. Their salary is already far too paltry for what they do. The organizations they work for should be providing more to help them.
@heatherburton 8 years ago

Solidly inspiring! Well done, Chip and team members. I'm not sure there is a more timely message.