Embracing Your Agency's Vision, Mission and Core Values

Hans Lehman, Assistant Chief of Police, City of Lakeland

Most agencies operate with a distinct vision, mission and set of core values that define their purpose and guide their actions. Embracing these foundational elements is essential for growth, team cohesion and organizational impact. They are not just buzzwords. They are the compass that guides every decision, every action and every interaction.

But if you don’t know your agency’s core values or embrace them, how can you truly follow its vision and mission?

These concepts hit home with me several years ago when I was teaching an FTO course with multiple agencies in the class. I asked an open-ended question: Who knew their vision statement? No one responded. I then asked who knew their mission statement. Again, silence. Thinking the next question would be different, I asked who knew their agency’s core values. More silence. That moment, and the stunned looks from the group, made me pause. If these informal leaders were preparing to train new officers and did not know their core values, how would they teach these basic tenets to rookies?

In FTO school, this alignment is critical. New officers learn not just procedures, but culture. They watch how you carry yourself, how you treat others and how you respond under stress. You are teaching them what it means to live the values whether you realize it or not.

This experience also reminded me how important it is for leadership to help their teams understand why values matter. Values shape how we operate, how we treat people, how we handle calls for service and how we do our jobs. If employees do not know the core values, the organization is set up for failure.

Some organizations may struggle with this, but it remains an essential concept. We serve the community, and we are not just a Police Department. We are YOUR Police Department! This helps build trust, transparency and legitimacy in the eyes of our citizens.

Seeing the big picture is the vision of an agency. It describes the aspirational future and guides strategic decisions. The mission defines the agency’s purpose: what it does, who it serves and how it delivers value. Embracing the agency’s core values is what shapes behavior, culture and relationships. They should not be just words on a wall. They activate the mission and set the standards by which success is measured.

“You do not always need a title to lead. You need values. You need commitment. You need to do things R.I.T.E. When you live your agency’s values, you are not just doing your job. You are shaping its future. Let your work tell the story of who you are and who you are helping your agency become.”

When employees align with these three tenets, the result is a resilient and purpose-driven workforce. You become part of the agency’s identity. This alignment can give you greater job satisfaction, stronger teams and deeper trust in the community.

My agency’s core values are clear; Respect, Integrity, Teamwork and Excellence (R.I.T.E.). These are not just ideals. They are expectations. They are on our department patch, decaled on our patrol cars and embedded in our culture. “Commitment to Excellence” is more than a slogan. It is the standard we strive for.

• Respect: Treat everyone with dignity. It means listening and maintaining professionalism even under pressure.

• Integrity: Do the right thing, even when no one is watching. It is honesty, accountability and consistency.

• Teamwork: Success is collective. Whether you are a formal or informal leader, you are part of a unit. Collaboration and support are essential.

• Excellence: Strive to be better every day. It is not about perfection. It is about progress, pride in your work and a steady pursuit of quality. When my son was growing up, he had a saying hung on his wall that summed this up, “Nothing changes if nothing changes.”

Before you can embrace your agency’s values, do you know your own? What drives you? What do you stand for? When your personal values align with the organization’s, you become a force multiplier. You are not just following orders, you are living with purpose.

Leadership is not about rank. It is about influence. Whether you wear stripes or not, you set the tone. When you embody your agency’s values, others follow. When you fall short, others notice.

Embracing the vision, mission and values is not a onetime exercise. It is a daily commitment. It means showing up with intention, leading with purpose and building a legacy that reflects the best of what your agency stands for.

You do not always need a title to lead. You need values. You need commitment. You need to do things R.I.T.E. When you live your agency’s values, you are not just doing your job. You are shaping its future. Let your work tell the story of who you are and who you are helping your agency become.

In today’s dynamic workplace, success is not only about meeting deadlines or showing up. It is about aligning with something bigger and giving yourself purpose. Before you join an organization, do your research. Learn what the company stands for. Make sure it aligns with what you value and ask yourself whether you are willing to commit to those ideals.