Last Friday afternoon, 30 Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputies and staff members from all levels of the agency graduated from the Leadership Development Institute (LDI), a week-long leadership program established in 2013 to advance and engage our rising leaders. The program equips them with the necessary skills and tools to confidently and effectively lead others and better serve the residents of Harris County.
The mission of LDI is to “support becoming the leading Sheriff’s Office in the U.S. by creating quality standards, methods to measure our success, a culture of servant leadership accountability, and a shared commitment to enhance the safety and trust of the residents of Harris County.” It embodies our fifth core value of developing, encouraging, and caring for our Sheriff’s Office family and emphasizes servant leadership. The course instruction features prominent leaders and subject matter experts in government and the private industry and teaches various leadership styles rooted in servant leadership.
Program graduates will apply their learnings and the training to their day-to-day leadership roles and will work together to present innovative and viable ideas that seek to improve the agency.
Leadership requires an ongoing commitment to learning and growth, as well as a dedication to serve others. Join me in congratulating the graduates on this professional development milestone and their continued service to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Click here to view photos from the graduation.
Dog Walker Watch Program
Many neighbors walk their dogs at all times of the day, all days of the week, and in all weather conditions throughout their neighborhoods. The Dog Walker Watch Program is an awareness campaign that provides everyone, especially dog walkers, with information on how to be more alert and to better observe and report suspicious activity while out in their communities.
Our Community Engagement Division hosted a Facebook Live discussion earlier this week about the Dog Walker Watch Program, sharing the following information and safety tips to empower Harris County residents to take an active role in their communities:
- Law enforcement needs your help. The majority of police arrests result from residents’ phone calls.
- Everyone, not just dog walkers, can help keep their neighborhoods safe. Pledge to be the extra eyes and ears in your neighborhood.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Don’t be distracted by phone calls, text messages, emails, or loud music.
- Get to know your neighbors by introducing yourself, joining your homeowner association, and signing up for the Nextdoor application notifications.
- Become aware of the types of criminal activity happening in your neighborhood.
- Know the type of information law enforcement needs, including an address or intersection, suspect description, and a good contact phone number for follow-up.
- Learn personal safety tips, such as changing your route on occasion, wearing bright or reflective clothing in the evenings, and taking your cell phone with you on walks or runs.
- Call or text 911 when you or your neighbor needs immediate police assistance. For non-emergencies, call 713-221-6000.
For more information about the program, watch our recorded livestream or visit this website. If you have any questions, please reach out to our Crime Prevention Unit at crime.prevention@sheriff.hctx.net. You know your neighborhood the best. Thank you for your commitment to building a safer, more caring community with all of your neighbors.
Staying Alert
Flattening the curve and saving lives starts with staying informed on the development of COVID-19 and practicing the recommended guidelines from the CDC and local public health authorities. Harris County Public Health (HCPH) provides daily updates on testing and confirmed cases via the Harris County / Houston COVID-19 Cases Dashboard.
HCPH continues to provide free COVID-19 testing across Harris County, including two surge testing sites in the Cy Fair and Pasadena areas with evening appointments available. HCPH encourages residents to register for free COVID-19 testing if they are exhibiting symptoms or have been in contact with someone who tested positive.
God bless you, and may God bless the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.