2027 Operationalizing Never Again

Operationalizing Never Again is more than a concept, it is a mandate. I believe police, government leaders, and policy makers all need this exposure to feel the realities of history to assure we never repeat it. The impact of hate in community is real as it diminishes safety by creating fear. For policing to keep communities safe we must be the force to combat all evil regardless of its origin. Especially if it is government sponsored.

I believe remembrance must be paired with responsibility. The march of the living is not only a tribute to those who were lost, but a powerful call to protect the freedoms and human dignity that so many were denied. 

We chose this profession to help others, especially the most vulnerable. Over time, the events we experience can harden us. Moments like this remind us who we are at our core: peace officers, called to serve with purpose and to lead with courage.

In April, I had the privilege of participating in the March of the Living in Poland as a sworn law enforcement officer in uniform. It was an emotional and humbling experience, one I will certainly never forget. People approached me with tears in their eyes, expressing gratitude for my presence and support. The march was not only an act of remembrance, but also a way of operationalizing the promise of "Never Again." Standing alongside survivors, families, and communities, I was reminded that our presence matters, and that remembrance must be coupled with action to ensure the lessons of the Holocaust are never forgotten.

Jochen shared, "Completing this important high-quality program together with colleagues gives strength for its application in everyday life."

In 2025 I was honored to be part of a delegation chosen to represent law enforcement at the March of the Living and be part of the amazing learning opportunity titled “Operationalizing Never Again” presented by the Rutgers’s Miller Center for Policing and Community Resilience and the University of Virginia’s Center for Public Safety and Justice.   Learning of law enforcement’s role in the atrocities of the Holocaust and then being able to walk in uniform side by side with survivors and families of those who suffered under the rule of Nazi Germany was a heartfelt and moving experience like no other.

This opportunity of a lifetime was a highlight of my professional career and I strongly encourage any law enforcement leader looking to ensure our profession is never again used against those we have sworn to protect, be part of an upcoming delegation. 

“Just when I thought that I knew Holocaust history, my understanding was challenged and my outlook on the future of policing was forever changed by walking among the ‘ghosts’ of the past….at Auschwitz”.

The moment the opportunity landed in my inbox, I signed up without hesitation, but nothing could have prepared me for how deeply this experience would impact me. Standing in uniform at the very site where unimaginable atrocities occurred was humbling, sobering, and transformation. It wasn’t just a history lesson; it was a call to action. Being there held me accountable not only for remembering what happened 80 years ago, but for leading today with unwavering ethical standards and a steadfast commitment to our Constitution. “Never Again” is not just a phrase it is a responsibility we must carry forward.

‘Every law enforcement leader should participate at least once in the March of the Living educational program. It is a profoundly life-changing experience that I wholeheartedly recommend. Participation not only enriches your understanding of history and human rights but also helps you grow into a more effective and compassionate police officer and individual.’ Says First Commissioner Karl Heeren from the Antwerp Police Department (Belgium) and co-founder of the program.

Why Every Police Leader Should Experience the March of the Living

If there’s one thing I can say with conviction, it’s that every law enforcement leader should take part in the March of the Living at least once in their career. This isn’t just another training or conference — it’s a life-changing experience that will stay with you long after you return home.

Here’s why I believe it’s so important:

1. It Brings Home the True Responsibility We Carry
The Holocaust shows us the devastating consequences when police and law enforcement lose sight of their duty to protect all people — especially the vulnerable. Walking through those historic sites, hearing survivor stories, you can’t help but feel a renewed commitment to uphold human rights and justice every single day.

2. It Teaches Us to Recognize Danger Early
The program opens your eyes to the warning signs of discrimination and hate — things we can’t afford to ignore. As leaders, we have the power to steer our forces away from becoming instruments of oppression and instead be champions of fairness and protection.

3. It Challenges You to Reflect Deeply on Your Role
Listening to survivors and standing in places where unimaginable horrors happened forces you to ask yourself tough questions: “What would I have done?” and “What must I do now to make sure this never happens again?” It’s a powerful reminder that ethical leadership isn’t optional — it’s essential.

4. It Builds Real Empathy and Understanding
This experience connects you with the stories of people who have suffered deeply, which in turn helps you lead with greater compassion and cultural awareness. That empathy makes a difference in how we interact with all communities and build trust.

5. It Creates Bonds Across Borders
You’ll meet police leaders from all over the world who share your commitment to justice and human dignity. The connections and shared sense of purpose you develop are invaluable — a global network of leaders ready to stand up for what’s right.

6. It Sends a Strong Message
By participating, you show your team and your community that you stand firmly against hatred in all its forms. It’s a visible, active way to lead by example and affirm your commitment to values that matter.

In short: The March of the Living isn’t just a program — it’s a powerful journey that transforms how you see your role as a police leader. It will make you not only a better officer but a better person. I can’t recommend it enough.

If you get the chance, take it. You won’t regret it.

The opportunity to travel to Krakow, Poland to participate in the March of the Living with an international delegation of 65 law enforcement executives was emotional, solemn and an experience that I consider to be a pinnacle of my 37 years in law enforcement.  Walking the grounds at Auschwitz and Birkenau with survivors and their families was a life-changing moment for me, prompting my promise to never, on my watch, as Sheriff, to allow the atrocities and genocide that occurred during the holocaust to happen again.
 

Traveling to Poland as part of the International March Of The Living event was a deeply humbling experience that forever altered my perspective.  Standing in the very places where police officers once aided in atrocities, I came to understand with heartbreaking clarity the profound influence supervisors have on shaping the actions-and ethics- of those they lead.  

Law enforcement officers have the option to choose between protecting humanity or using the authority they hold in trust to intimidate the very society that lent the powers and authority. The decisions made in line of duty live beyond the lifetime of the individual officer. Each officer in discharge of their duties should therefore choose how they want to be judged by history.

Extremely beneficial for police to gain information on contemporary concerns of the Jewish community worldwide.

As Federal Chair of the Youth Section (German Police Union) in a dual leadership role, I experienced how essential it is to engage young officers in international dialogue on remembrance, responsibility, and the fight against antisemitism. Encounters like these make history tangible and strengthen our commitment to democratic values and human dignity in policing. 

Having been a participant of the International Police Delegation to the MOTL has been the single most moving experience in my 30+ years of policing experience. The learnings, bonds, and friendships are immeasurable.

While standing at Auschwitz, I saluted a survivor who lived through horrors most of us cannot comprehend. When he saluted me in return, it was one of the most powerful moments of my life. It reinforced my duty to lead with humanity and to ensure we never repeat the past.

In today’s climate, any and every officer should be able to experience the impact of Auschwitz Birkenau, and its history. It’s not just the history of the event that is beneficial, it’s the history of our profession and the part it played. It’s the history that could easily repeated if we are not educated and paying attention. 

Paying homage to the voices and sacrifices of marginalized people should not merely be about remembering the pain and loss. It should be the catalyst for each of us to ensure justice, equality, empathy, and grace for all.

This trip held a significant impact on my personal and professional life. Having visited these sites before, I was never armed with the context and the knowledge of what this class and experience provided me. The level of complicity that existed to treat an entire population the way they were due to the dehumanizing effects of the propaganda put out by all sides of society was a shock to the conscience. Professionally, I was unaware of how integral the use of local law enforcement was in the persecution of the Jews and it was equally shocking to learn of the intentional acceptance of this behavior by its members. To be able to stand with Jewish participants and say with conviction "Never Again! Not on Our Watch!" was inspiring. Fostering the principles of Democratic Policing and the importance of being a guardian for marginalized populations now take a more meaningful place in my leadership philosophy.

One might think they know a lot about the Holocaust and the suffering of the Jewish people from hours of study or documentaries or films about it. Nothing can prepare us to understand it as it was experienced firsthand, from Kazimierz, through the ghetto, to Auschwitz/Birkenau... every step taken in the International March of the Living is a step towards freedom, a decision that we will never again allow this to happen to anyone in the world. 

The delegation was one of the most defining experiences in my personal and professional life. The experience provided a chance to deeply reflect on the cultures we create as leaders and safeguards we establish to ensure our profession acts ethically and nobly. The Holocaust wasn't a single decision, it was the result of millions of administrative and ordinary decisions. Never Again means ensuring all our everyday actions are consistent with our purpose and principles. 

It is important that once we bear witness to the atrocities that occurred as part of the Holocaust, we make it our goal to educate others so the memories are not lost when the survivors pass on. It is our duty as law enforcement professionals and the sheepdogs of society to take an active part in ensuring something like this never happens again. 

This experience was memorable, powerful, sad and a overall amazing experience. I appreciate the opportunity that I was given to take part in such a special program.

This delegation allowed me to explore my family's history and loss through the lens of law enforcement and the responsibility that comes with it. Watching a marcher's reaction upon seeing their town/country being represented filled everyone's hearts during an extremely heavy day. 

I work in a jail setting with the Denver Sheriff Department. Every day, I move through locked doors, hear them shut behind me, and operate within a system built on control, confinement, and consequence. It’s an environment that shapes how you see people, justice, and even humanity itself. But nothing in my professional experience prepared me for what I encountered when I visited Auschwitz and took part in the March of the Living. At first glance, there are superficial similarities between a modern correctional facility and a place like Auschwitz: barbed wire, guarded perimeters, a sense of separation from the outside world. But those comparisons collapse almost immediately under the weight of history. The purpose, the scale, and the intent behind Auschwitz were fundamentally different rooted not in law or rehabilitation, but in systematic dehumanization and extermination. Walking through the gates marked with the haunting phrase “Arbeit macht frei,” I felt a shift that was hard to put into words. This was not just a place where people were held. It was a place where identity was stripped away, where suffering was industrialized, and where millions were murdered. As someone who works in an environment where people are confined, I couldn’t ignore the contrast: in my world, there are rules, oversight, and at least the framework of human rights. In Auschwitz, those protections did not exist. The experience became even more profound during the March of the Living, an annual event that brings people from around the world together to walk the path from Auschwitz to Birkenau. That walk silent, heavy, and deeply symbolic felt like stepping into history while carrying the responsibility of remembrance. Among the crowd were survivors, students, educators, and people like me (law enforcement)individuals trying to understand, to bear witness, and to ensure that the past is neither forgotten nor repeated. There was something powerful about moving together in that space, not as observers, but as participants in an act of memory. What struck me most was the humanity of those who had been reduced to numbers. Seeing the barracks, the belongings, the photographs It brought into sharp focus the lives behind the statistics. These were individuals with families, dreams, and identities that were violently taken from them. The scale of suffering is difficult to comprehend, but the personal stories of the survivors make it impossible to ignore. (We met 50 of them) Returning to my work after this experience, I found myself thinking differently about dignity. Even in a correctional environment where people are there because of their actions there is an obligation to recognize their humanity. Visiting Auschwitz didn’t just teach me about history; it challenged me to reflect on how systems of power treat individuals, and how easily humanity can be eroded when empathy is removed. The March of the Living is not just about remembering the past. It is about confronting the present and shaping the future. It asks participants to carry forward a simple but urgent message: that indifference and dehumanization have consequences. I walked into that experience as someone who understood confinement. I left with a deeper understanding of what happens when humanity itself is confined, diminished, and ultimately destroyed. It is something I will carry with me both in my work and in my life for years to come. 

What it means to operationalize never again is to build a law enforcement culture where we are on constant guard against corruption and dehumanization, without compromising our primary public safety mission, and with requisite deference to elected leaders. In a binary, divided, and very online era, this immersive on-site program recalibrated my perspective on the nature and nuance of our role in American government and society.

Participating in the March of the Living confronted me with the devastating consequences of what happens when the rule of law collapses and humanity is stripped away. As police officers, we carry a shared responsibility—not only to enforce the law, but to protect dignity, uphold justice, and remain vigilant when systems come under pressure. What I witnessed is not just history; it is a warning. It reminds us that ‘never again’ is not a given, but a task—one that requires courage, moral clarity, and collective commitment from all of us in policing, every single day.

Participation in the March of Living was both a humbling and rewarding experience. Seeing the locations where millions of Jews lost their lives at the hands of the Nazi’s was surreal. While we all know the history of WW2 and the holocaust, nothing can replace the first hand experience of walking on the same hallowed ground where so many lost their lives, for just being “Jewish”. You will leave the experience changed.

I heard an individual say the following simple statement, and it absolutely resonated with me. The following was said due to the fact that we were given this opportunity, and in my case even more being a current Fellow, that saying was: "You do not know how fortunate you are, by being given this opportunity" That was said the last night after all the experiences occurred, and thinking of the entire experience, and especially hearing and meeting some of the Holocaust survivors. Something that will never be taken for granted by me.

Standing at Auschwitz and Birkenau where the Jewish people were stripped of everything, you just don’t carry history with you or leave with answers, but you leave with a responsibility: to remember, to speak, to confront hatred, and to never let humanity forget what silence can allow. 

Standing in a place where humanity failed at its lowest point makes you realize that policing is not only about enforcing the law — it is about safeguarding human dignity, confronting hate at its earliest stage, and ensuring that history never repeats itself. Not on our watch.

At Auschwitz, we learned that we spent more time at the site before lunch than most people who were brought there were permitted to live. That perspective stays with you. It highlights how systems, institutions, and individuals all contributed to what happened. When policing is part of that system, people have nowhere to turn. This program reinforces our responsibility as police leaders to ensure that ‘Never Again’ is upheld through our actions.

Understanding history by being where it happened, meeting those who were there before they can no longer attend to carry on their message, showing the victims, families and all those who attend that Law Enforcement wont let you down and supports you. If this message resonates with you, then you should be on the next Delegate Mission!

“‘Never Again’ is not a promise we inherit—it is a responsibility we must actively uphold. This experience challenged me to recognize the early signs of division and dehumanization and reinforced that ethical leadership, and the protection of human dignity must guide every decision we make in public safety.