From the Desk of Chief Ogden | By Chief David A. Ogden
As I’ve moved through the ranks, my perspective hasn’t been lost; it’s broadened. The higher you go, the more people you’re responsible for, and the greater the weight of every decision.
Early in our careers, leadership is personal: who gets the day off, who gets the next assignment. But at the executive level, it’s about policy, culture, and consistency. You can’t always be fair in the emotional sense, because fairness is subjective. But you can, and must, be consistent.
If two officers want Christmas off, one just had a baby, and the other is single with nowhere to go, neither decision feels “fair.” However, consistency means everyone follows the same rules. That’s not a lack of empathy; it's leadership grounded in integrity and structure.
People often say leaders “lose perspective” as they move up. I’d challenge that. The higher you go, the more perspectives you have to carry. Balancing the needs of individuals with the mission of the organization as a whole.
Staying connected means being visible, listening intentionally, and remembering what it felt like to be in their shoes.
Leadership doesn’t change character; it reveals it. Power amplifies who we already are, both the best and the worst.
If we want leaders who stay grounded and connected, we must build promotion systems that value trust, humility, and integrity, not just performance. Ultimately, character sustains leadership when authority alone is insufficient.
Chief David A. Ogden
Windermere Police Department
Regards,
David A. Ogden
“Outdo one another with Honor.”
