We've all worked with, or for, people who are afraid of that word. When approached by people with a "new" view of circumstances, you can almost smell the anxiety they are experiencing. Their preference? "Leave well enough alone," or "Why fix it, if it ain't broke?"

They seem to have a general difficulty in understanding the mind-set of the "innovative" employee, co- worker, or leader; after all, what's wrong with the way we do things now?

As we look around our world today, we marvel at most of the technology that we never would have imagined 20 years ago. It seems as if everybody has a pager, or cell phone, the "electronic leash" most of us hate but can't live without. Each day, as we open the newspaper or trade journal or watch television news and commercials, we see "new" concepts and products; we're left with the question: "Why didn't I think of that?"

The major "product" of law enforcement is, of course, "service." And, most of the approaches we have toward that goal are problem related.

As you read this message, we have many problem issues in Florida, and indeed our country, that we have focused on so that we may develop acceptable solutions:

• Education in Criminal Justice--A new committee has been formed: The Basic Recruit Articulation Committee, consisting of members from FDLE, CJSTC, FPCA, DOE, FSA, and FDOC. They will be discussing and recommending procedures in articulation for basic recruit curricula and "bridge" courses by community colleges. Chief Richard Coffey, Chair for CJSTC and member FPCA, and Chief Keith Chandler, Ist Vice President FPCA, will be representing our interests in this endeavor.



• Violent Crimes Council: Chief Rick Overman and Chief Jerry Demings have agreed to again serve on this important council.



• Florida House of Representatives, Juvenile Justice Committee: At the request of Rep. Sharon Merchant (83rd District), Major George Aylesworth, FPCA Legislative Committee Chair, will be joining with Maury Kolchakian, FSA General Counsel, to provide a law enforcement voice to this important issue.

These are but a few of the current "happenings"; many other issues are at hand--some large, some small-- but all important, and I know that all of our representatives will be "innovators" when reaching solutions to the issues.

You must be able to visualize a solution through the gathering of information, but you must have a good sense for what the solution could be.

Henry David Thoreau wrote: "You can't depend on your eyes, when your imagination is out of focus."

I believe that most of our members have an imagination that is very focused, and I'm thankful for that. It makes my job much easier.

All I need to do is recognize the issues, ask for our members' assistance, listen to their input, and implement the course of action.

When asked about how he gets his kids to follow advice, President Harry S. Truman said, "I have found the best way to give advice to your children, is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it." Well, kids...what is it that you want?

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