Increasing Your Effectiveness in Law Enforcement

On August 25, Dr. Manuel Zarate and Andy Hughes presented “Increasing Your Effectiveness in Law Enforcement” at the Ashland Police Department. The eight-hour class focused on helping law enforcement officers (LEOs) realize their full potential as leaders and thinkers.

The program emphasized self-evaluation and self-leadership as prerequisites to being a good leader of others. Those in attendance took two self-tests, both designed to help determine their personality and leadership styles. Other topics covered were: your purpose in life, law enforcement as a calling, the importance of the selection process, servant leadership, characteristics needed to be an effective LEO and the task of inspiring future generations of law enforcement officers and law enforcement leadership.

LEOs from the police departments in Ashland, Wedowee, Birmingham, and Vestavia Hills, along with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency attended. A special thanks to Chief Joseph Stanford and Ashland PD for hosting this event.

Would you like to host one of our leadership workshops? If so, we would love to talk to you about what we offer. Classes can be crafted to meet your needs. Reach out today by emailing info@bluewatchfoundation.org.

Academy Presentations

Blue Watch was excited to address graduates at area training academies.

On August 9, we presented to a class of 64 graduates at the Northeast Alabama Law Enforcement Academy in Jacksonville.

We were able to give encouraging words and present each graduate with a copy of “Winning A Gunfight” and “Suicide Is Not An Option.”

A special thanks to Academy Director Steve Thomas for giving us this opportunity.

On August 18, we presented to 30 graduates at the Jefferson County Law Enforcement Training Academy. Jefferson County runs the only academy in the state designed to train deputies.

This class of young deputies from across the state received their own copy of “Winning A Gunfight” and “Suicide Is Not An Option”.

A special thanks to Academy Director Tommie Black for affording us this opportunity.

Just Around the Corner – Fall Training Series Sponsored by First Guard and Southern Software. All events are FREE!

We are excited to partner with Tim Rupp and Strong Blue Line Seminars to bring outstanding training to officers and chaplains.

In four days we will travel from the Wiregrass to the Shoals addressing the needs of officers and their families. You do not want to miss out on this great opportunity.

If you have not registered, do so today because seats are filling fast. All training is free, but you must register to attend.

Training Schedule:

October 3rd

“Winning A Gunfight”

10:00 am – 2:30 pm

Wiregrass Public Safety Training Center

Hosted by the Dothan Police Department

Lunch Provided

4 Hours APOST credit

Contact Andy Highes at 334-648-9370 or andy@firstguardofficers.com

To learn more or to register, visit the event page.

October 4th

“Moral Injury in Policing”

7:00 am – 10:00 am

Vestavia Hills Police Department

Breakfast Provided

Hosted by the Vestavia Hills Police Department

To register, contact: Sgt. Randall Jones rjones@vhal.org or 205-978-0124

This session is for law enforcement chaplains or those that support this effort within their department.

To learn more or to register, visit the event page.

October 5th

“Winning A Gunfight”

Two Sessions:

Session 1: 8:00 am  – Noon

Session 2: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Jefferson County Sheriffs Department

4 hours APOST credit

Hosted by the Jefferson County Sheriffs Department

For more information, call 205-849-5246 or visit www.jeffersoncountysotrainingcenter.com

To learn more, visit the event page.

October 6th

“Suicide is Not an Option”

Two Sessions:

Session 1: 8:00 am – Noon

Session 2: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Florence Police Department

4 hours APOST credit

Hosted by the Florence Police Department

To register and for any question, contact Mark J. Senf at msjsenf@florenceal.org or 256-760-6500

To learn more, visit the event page.

Help Is Still Needed!

Blue Watch wants every attendee to have their own copy of the book at no cost. This is a great opportunity for those looking for a way to support the law enforcement community.

For only $10, a book can be placed in the hands of an officer or deputy. We are looking for supporters that will help at each venue. For only $250, you can be listed as venue sponsor.

Here are our needs:

Dothan – 60 books – Books funded.

Vestavia Hills – 30 books – Need funding.

Jefferson County – 200 books – Need funding

Florence – 100 books – 50 Books Funded/Need Funding for 50 more books.

If this opportunity is of interest to you reach out today!!

About the Speaker

Tim Rupp was a career police officer before being called into full-time vocational ministry. He enlisted in the Air Force after graduating high school. After his enlistment, Tim joined the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) and gave 24 years of dedicated service before retiring in 2007.

During his SAPD career he worked as a patrol officer, homicide detective, patrol sergeant, sex crimes sergeant, police academy supervisor, and internal affairs sergeant-investigator. He continued his law enforcement service as a reserve deputy with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho from 2009-2020.

Before retiring from the SAPD, Tim was called to pastor Elm Creek Baptist Church in La Vernia, TX, just outside of San Antonio. Following his retirement in 2007, he was called to pastor full time in Idaho Falls, where he pastored until 2020. In 2016, Tim founded The Strong Blue Line Ministries to reach law enforcement officers. He is also the host of Dog Watch a radio show and podcast by a cop and for cops.

He is available to teach seminars for police officers, churches, and men’s groups. For more information or to contact Tim, go to TheStrongBlueLine.org.

Tim is an ordained minister with the Christian and Missionary Alliance and serves as a Law Enforcement Chaplain in SE Idaho. He also serves as a staff pastor at Watersprings Church of Idaho Falls.

He graduated from Texas State University (Master of Science in Criminal Justice), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Christian Education), and Western Seminary (Doctor of Ministry).

Tim has authored several books, including “Winning A Gunfight” and “Suicide Is Not An Option.” He is married to Sherry and they have three children, Christina, Aaron, and Emily and several grandchildren.

Order Your Book Today

Want a copy of these books? One can be yours today. Visit our website to order your free copy.

  • “Winning A Gunfight…securing victory ethically, mentally and tactfully in a gunfight”: There is much more to winning a gunfight than just physically surviving. Most who are in gunfights survive but may not win. Learn the difference and how you can survive and win.
  • “Suicide Is Not an Option”: Each year 2.5-3 times more officers take their own life than are murdered in the line of duty. Despite the efforts of many, the suicide rate amongst law enforcement officers continues to rise. Retired police sergeant and author, Tim Rupp, explores the spiritual aspects and argues there is meaning to life beyond the individual.
  • “Courageous Living Bible Study”: This four-session Bible study is designed to challenge you to live courageously for the sake of your family. Based on the movie “Courageous,” session topics include fighting for your family, valuing what matters most, impacting future generations, and standing for Christ.

To order your FREE book, visit our Book Giveaway page and let us know which book you would like!

Once you have read the book, please share with us your thoughts, good or bad, and we hope you will pass along the book to a fellow officer.

We Want to Hear From You!

Blue Watch is here to serve the law enforcement community and its families. We want to hear from you because we want to offer services that you need. The people of Alabama support their officers and they stand ready to help.

Get Involved

There are many ways to support the Blue Watch mission:

  • Pray – we need prayer warriors who will pray for us on an ongoing basis and at special events.
  • Volunteer – we are in need of people who will help manage our website, social media and other aspects of the ministry. If the mission of Blue Watch is of interest to you and you have a skillset to offer, consider Blue Watch.
  • Donate – it takes money to make all of this happen. The Lord greatly blessed us in 2020, but to continue our progress will require increased giving. You can give online or by check.

If any of these are of interest to you, please email us at info@bluewatchfoundation.org.

Support the Mission

Please prayerfully consider making a financial contribution to Blue Watch. It is through the faithful giving of many across the state that has made all we have done possible, and to continue the mission, will require greater community support.

If you feel led to support, you can donate by visiting our website and clicking the “Donate” button or by making a check payable to Blue Watch and mailing to 2620 Swiss Lane, Birmingham, AL 35226. 

Blue Watch is a 501c(3) non-profit. All donations are tax deductible.

The mission of Blue Watch is to help officers and their families experience the relevance and benefits of God in their lives.