Why I'm Running

For more than twenty-five years, I’ve had the privilege of serving at every level of law enforcement from patrol officer to chief, and from local service to statewide and national leadership. Through these experiences, one lesson has remained constant: leadership is about listening, learning, and lifting others up.

As President of the Florida Police Chiefs Association (FPCA), and through my work with the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC), State Association of Chiefs of Police (SACOP), and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Board of Directors, I’ve witnessed firsthand how collaboration and shared innovation moves our profession forward. The strength of policing comes not from individual achievements, but from the collective wisdom of those who serve. That is why I am running to empower the membership. I want every member to feel valued and to bring their unique experience and perspective to the IACP.

I believe we are in a pivotal moment for our profession. Across the country and the world, agencies face challenges in recruitment, retention, technology integration, and public trust. These challenges are also opportunities to modernize how we lead, how we care for our people, and how we serve our communities. My goal is to continue advancing a profession that values its people, embraces innovation responsibly, and never loses sight of its mission to protect and serve. It is a great honor to serve in a position of leadership during this pivotal and historic era in policing.

In the months ahead, I look forward to continuing the conversation with colleagues across every region about what’s working, where we can do better, and how together we can strengthen the foundation of policing for the next generation of leaders. 

I am committed to building on the relationships, programs, and partnerships that unite us because the future of policing depends on cooperation, not competition; on mentorship, not silos; and on the understanding that when we move forward together, we all succeed.

“Principles are timeless. Politics are temporary.”
— Chief Robert Bage