EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP:
Colonel Brendan P. Doherty,
Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police
Leadership Speaks: The 20 Minute Interview is being launched today, Tuesday, November 24, 2009. The series, sponsored by Avancemos Alliance, will focus on Rhode Island state leaders who exemplify qualities of outstanding leadership. The series opener features Colonel Brendan P. Doherty, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police. Colonel Doherty, a 26 year veteran of the State Police, is the eleventh superintendent to lead the organization. He is also the R.I. Commissioner of Public Safety, oversees the R. I. Capitol Police, the Municipal Training Academy, E911, Grants Administration Office, and the Fire Marshal’s Office. Entrusted with the safety of all Rhode Islanders as his primary goal, Colonel Doherty also demonstrates his leadership through his commitment to community service with various youth groups and community organizations. For Colonel Doherty, excellence in leadership is about hard work, responsibility, integrity, and service to the people of Rhode Island.
Colonel Doherty, please give us a brief description of your organization.
The Rhode Island State Police is a statewide law enforcement agency whose principal goal is to reduce crime and serious vehicular accidents through education and enforcement.
Why did you choose a career with the Rhode Island State Police?
When I was a college student, I saw a R. I. State Police trooper assisting a family who’d been involved in a highway accident. The trooper had a command presence about him and his uniform looked impeccable. I thought to myself, “What can I do to better myself? Perhaps, I can become a R.I. State Trooper.”
What are your greatest strengths for this job?
I believe that it’s my ability to read people and understand them. It’s important to understand their concerns and issues and try to solve problems for people when I can.
How would you describe your work ethic?
My work ethic may be a little different from most. I don’t watch the clock and never did; I work until the job gets done. Sometimes this means working on a weekend or a holiday. I don’t get paid more, no one tells me that I have to work, but out of a sense of pride I do what I have to do to achieve or accomplish the goal, within the rules.
What traits are needed by good law enforcement officers?
I believe that common sense, discipline, honesty, courage, intelligence, tolerance, civility and respect for others are needed.
What is your definition of success?
I do believe that success comes in different shapes and sizes, but anyone who is a law abiding and productive member of society who sets good examples for the youth of their community is a success.
Describe your most significant success in the last two years.
At home, it would be the respect and admiration I share with my daughter and son. At work, it would be the building of a new Public Safety Complex. In my civic duties, it would be putting a smile on the face of an inner-city basketball team when I was facilitating their meeting with the Boston Celtics.
What was your most difficult decision in the last two years? What made it difficult?
Without being specific, I would say it was a decision I made that was the right thing to do, the popular thing to do in the eyes of the public, but it adversely affected a good person who made a poor decision. Sometimes I have to do things that I do not enjoy, but it’s the right thing to do.
What's most satisfying about the job, most rewarding?
It is extremely satisfying when my men and women catch a criminal who tries to beat the system, especially when it comes to the exploitation of the elderly or children and we are one step ahead of the criminal.
What’s a misconception people have about you?
Unfortunately, through miscommunication some may think that I am just out to put people in jail. They don’t see that I spend as much time building bridges in the community and dedicating my own time and money to make Rhode Island a better and safer place for all of us.
Colonel Doherty, looking back to your career in the Rhode Island State Police, how will you assess your leadership legacy?
I think that I will be looked upon as a tough, yet fair leader who espoused the ideals of civility, tolerance and respect in the everyday problems and solutions.
Avancemos Alliance extends its gratitude to Colonel Brendan P. Doherty for his time in answering our questions and for his excellent leadership in serving the state.
Effective leaders, like Colonel Brendan P. Doherty, understand the importance of community outreach to
build bridges in the community. Colonel Doherty spends time with the Roca Family, residents of Providence.
Avancemos Alliance
The mission of Avancemos Alliance is to advance the American Latino community through their
collective talent, experience and influence. |
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