Randall Anderson: Major of Patrol Operations, Palm Beach Gardens

Major Randall Anderson began his law enforcement career with Palm Beach Gardens Police in 2003. We all take different paths to policing, but not all of us begin with being arrested!  Remember, we were all young once!  As a seventeen-year-old who made a few questionable decisions, the experience was impactful for Randall because he was fortunate to have been exposed to a police officer who made a positive impact on him.   

We all make mistakes, the difference is what we do with them.  Randall took the opportunity provided to him by a judge that knew the right place for a young man with a penchant for fighting might be a Police Athletic League boxing gym.  This led to exposure to a different side of police officers he never knew existed. He knew from there what he was going to do with his life.

These experiences as a young man helped Randy be a more understanding and empathetic adult.  When he became a police officer he was able to lean back on these experiences, particularly when working with young people he came into contact with on the job.

We talk about a lot of things, but at the core of our discussion is how we manage difficult times.  Things like divorce, critical incidents, and other on and off-the-job situations. When Randy experienced a difficult time in his life in the aftermath of a police action shooting, Randy was directed by a supervisor to work with a coach.  Here he learned techniques that helped him manage himself as he navigated this period of his life.

Randy is now an advocate for understanding and developing peak performance.  He has used coaching and resources to help his department and the officers he works with.  He took his personal journey and created opportunities to learn and teach others.  

Major Anderson had traversed a similar path as many officers.  Early in his career he held various positions as a patrol officer, field training officer, and firearms instructor and was also a member of the SWAT Team. He was later assigned to the Palm Beach Gardens Tactical Crime Unit and was dually assigned to the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force.  He worked extensively in the Investigations division, holding multiple positions, before being promoted through the ranks of Sergeant and Captain. Now manages the Patrol Division as a Major for his agency.

Tune in and learn about what Randall has been doing at his agency and how you can learn and build for your well-being and agency.

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