LCC Graduate Attributes LEMIT Program to Inspiring Latest Book

Andy Harvey, Palestine Police Department Chief and a graduate of the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Institute of Texas (LEMIT) Leadership Command College (LCC), recently published his latest book, “Excellence in Policing, Simple Ways to Exceed Citizen Expectations in Every Encounter.”

Harvey, a command-level law enforcement leader with over 23 years of experience including working and retiring from the Dallas Police Department, and a member of LEMIT’s 66th LCC class, attributes the time he spent working through the program’s rigorous curriculum as a huge influence on his leadership ethics and the message behind his book.

“LEMIT was one of those programs that really challenged me and made me think differently,” he said.

Participants in LCC are required to produce a research paper, called Leadership White Paper, as a requirement to graduate. The paper provides officers the opportunity to develop applied research and communication skills for command and policy levels and emphasize research methods to better equip practitioners for duties. At the time, Harvey was a Lieutenant with the Dallas Police Department.

“My [Leadership White Paper] topic was on community and I wanted to know how they perceived us, so that we can police in a way that’s impactful,” Harvey explained. “When I was doing research, I came across the concept of procedural justice and police legitimacy, which was really a new concept back then. The more I read about it, the more I knew officers needed to hear this message.”

From that paper, Harvey developed a training curriculum which he called, “Excellence in Policing,” and began training and presenting, eventually leading him to train entire police departments and at LCC modules. His training, and book, includes topics on the three-phase police-citizen model, legitimacy, procedural justice, and difference between authority and power, which were included in the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing.

“Because I was presenting it so much, I knew that it was a powerful message and decided to write the book,” Harvey explained. “It’s an easy read, but I did it because I wanted to be simplistic. I wanted it to feel like a conversation. Officers need to hear this message.”

It took a couple of years to put the book together, but it was finally published in 2018.

“Andy’s understanding of police legitimacy, procedural justice and the importance of community makes his work a very timely read,” said Neil Moore, retired Fort Wayne Police Department Chief of Police.

Harvey promotes his work when he can through social media, but most of his leadership training and resources have been promoted through word of mouth. He admits he must limit his speaking engagements but is passionate about sharing his leadership knowledge.

“As I get more experience, my message evolves so I'm constantly trying to add value to it. I really believe this message will make officers safer,” Harvey said.

Harvey is dedicated to supporting officers and adding value to them. The Palestine Police Chief is already expanding on his leadership topics to include officer resiliency.

Harvey holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice, a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences, and an Associates in Avionics Systems Technology. He is a Master Peace Officer, a TCLEOSE Instructor, a graduate of LEMIT Leadership Command College, and the Caruth Police Institute in Dallas. He is a member of the Dallas Police Association, the National Latino Law Enforcement Officers Association, and the Leadership Command College Alumni Association.

If you are interested in learning more about Harvey’s message and book, you can contact him at andy@excellenceinpolicing.tv.