Decatur police chief implements leadership classes for officers
When Mack was sworn in on June 2, he vowed to restructure the police department, and he said that starts with additional training. Mack brought in national communications specialist Darryl Rivers for the 4-day sessions.
Hands Across Decatur extends hours due to heat
Rivers had spent his entire adult life as part of the government, including 17 years as a police officer, sergeant and lieutenant.
For nearly two years, the Decatur Police Department has been under heavy scrutiny since the police shooting death of Stephen Perkins in September 2023.
The department drew more criticism in April with the death of John Scott Jr., who was arrested by police while experiencing an apparent mental health crisis.
'Leadership is not defined with what's on your collar. You could be a born leader, or you can be a leader,' Mack explained. 'Mr. Rivers is going to make a lot of leaders today with his message.'
Rivers drilled the police officers on the meaning of earning respect with your ears and then losing that respect with your mouth.
'From time to time, the biggest part of communication is actually listening, and we as human beings don't do that all that well, so we elect to speak before we listen,' Rivers explained. A city-commissioned independent review released in January found Decatur police officers needed more training both on the law and how they interact with the public. Mack said he wants all of his police officers in the department to be trained as leaders in changing the perception of the department.
'This class today is for the sergeants and below or the officers that are aspiring to be sergeants,' said Mack. 'Just to give them a feel of what it takes to be a competent and a professional leader.'
Mack added that he is focused on several issues detailed in the review.
Rivers told News 19 that his goal for the officers is to believe that they are leaders both in and outside of the department in order to change its public perception.
'Sometimes people feel that the law enforcement community really isn't in tune with the plight of society, so I feel as though one of the main things that law enforcement could do is literally sit back and listen sometimes in order to understand how to best solve problems, issues and situations,' Rivers said.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Solve the daily Crossword

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Fox News
8 minutes ago
- Fox News
Kansas deputy fatally shot by suspect barricaded in house: sheriff
A Kansas sheriff's deputy was killed in the line of duty on Saturday afternoon after responding to a call at a home. Deputy Elijah Ming, 34, was shot by a man who had "barricaded himself inside the residence and opened fire," a Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office media release said, stating that deputies had "responded to a call for a civil standy." Ming, who had worked for the agency for nearly nine years, was taken to a hospital where he later died. About one and a half hours after police, which included the Kansas City, Kansas police department, were called to the scene, the suspect "exited the house and was taken into custody." The suspect was identified as Shawn Harris, 38, of Kansas City, Kansas, by local KSHB. "Our prayers, compassion, and heartfelt condolences are with Deputy Ming's family, friends, and the entire Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office," a Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City KS Facebook post said, which shared a picture of the fallen deputy. Sheriff Daniel Soptic asked that everyone be respectful of Ming's family and for prayers for his family, the department and the community for the loss during a press conference on Saturday night. Wyandotte Mayor Tyrone Garner said he met with Ming's wife and other members of his family at the hospital. "There are no words or comfort that can ever ease the pain of losing someone you love to senseless violence," he said. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is looking into what happened.


Fox News
10 minutes ago
- Fox News
Kansas sheriff's office mourns the loss of one of its own
Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office Deputy Elijah Ming was killed in a shooting on Saturday, July 26, 2025.


CBS News
10 minutes ago
- CBS News
Man fatally stabbed during argument in Englewood neighborhood; person in custody
A man is dead after he was stabbed during an argument on Chicago's South Side Saturday night. Police said around 10:17 p.m., officers responded to the call of a person stabbed in the 100 block of West 63rd Street in the Englewood neighborhood. The victim, a 71-year-old man, was involved in an argument while outside with an unknown man. During this, the man pulled out a sharp object and attacked the victim, stabbing him in the abdomen. The victim was taken to the University of Chicago Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The offender was placed into custody by responding officers, and charges are pending. Area 1 detectives are investigating.