IT’S A busy police station. Phones ring, radios crackle, and officers rush in and out. A desk sergeant in the middle of filing paperwork grabs a jacket and assures a dispatcher that they’re already en route. A patrol car, lights flashing, sirens wailing. A patrol officer is already on the scene, conversing with witnesses. Back at the station, another officer is seen studying maps and plotting a route. A third officer is on the phone, coordinating with another agency. There’s never a moment of rest. It’s all hands on deck from the moment they open their eyes in the morning to the time they lay their heads on their pillows at night.
You don’t have to turn on the news anymore to stay informed about the ongoing conflicts that exist between law enforcement and civilians. It’s amazing how close to home the issues within the criminal justice industry can be for many of us — every day, both law enforcement and the community struggle to understand each other. Unfair treatment and fear seem to be everywhere, but in these turbulent times, it’s important to shine a light on the unsung heroes. These individuals work hard to make their communities feel safe, both within and outside of their neighborhoods.
The Manchester Police Department (MPD) is made up of courageous administrative staff and leaders who spend a great deal of their time making the community feel seen, safe, and secure. Their service involves intense training, countless meetings, and the commitment to enhancing Manchester’s welfare.
“We’ve got a great administrative staff that shares the workload. Pretty much every day, we come in as a team and decide what our priorities are going to be and how to tackle those priorities and make positive things happen for the police department,” Adam Floied, the department’s assistant chief, explained.
Floied, an inspiring leader, followed in his father’s footsteps and became the assistant chief of the department. He oversees the department’s administrative side, managing everything from finances and grants to staffing and payroll. Yet, despite his rank, Floied explained that everyone in the department is, fundamentally, a police officer committed to protecting and serving the community.
“All of us are police officers, no matter our rank. At the end of the day, we’re all officers. We all have the same responsibility to protect. We’re not just coming in and sitting behind a desk — we’re making sure the job gets done.”
Floied’s father was a state trooper, which meant he was no stranger to the demands and rewards of police work. In 1991, he joined the police department as a reserve officer while working full time at Nissan in Smyrna. By 1998, he made the full-time leap to law enforcement, embracing a huge pay cut because he felt an intense calling to serve and protect his community. Ever since 2012, he’s advanced through the ranks as a corporal, sergeant, and captain.
A defining moment in Floied’s career was his selection to attend the prestigious FBI National Academy in 2012, a significant achievement shared with his father, who also attended the academy early in his career. This experience, which is an honor reserved for only 1% of law enforcement professionals, enriched Floied’s knowledge and strengthened his bond with his father.
“It’s a core tradition as a father and son — both getting to go — and that was an unbelievable and valuable experience for my career.”
Community engagement for the department involves integrating community events into their normal routines. The Manchester Christmas program for vulnerable children and local parades are just a few of which create strong relationships between officers and residents. School resource officers play a crucial role in building connections with local schools, which in turn impacts students and improves community trust.
Staffing shortages and competitive recruitment are not unique to Manchester. Sometimes, officers feel stretched thin, and community members may feel that officers are more available when they’re not needed but not quite quick enough when they are needed. Floied acknowledged that retaining and recruiting officers amidst negative national media attention on law enforcement can be difficult.
However, there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Floied is confident that the MPD’s dedicated efforts, whether work-related or community-focused, will undoubtedly foster stronger bonds between the department and the greater Manchester community.
“So we try to inject ourselves into anything that we can find in the community, whether it’s related to the police department or not.”
Along with the rest of the leadership, he is working on improving pay and benefits and creating a supportive work environment to attract and retain dedicated officers.
Under Floied’s leadership, the department has implemented several initiatives to enhance community safety and connection. One major project has been the hiring and training of new officers, which involves a comprehensive process from academy training to field training. Additionally, the department has recently upgraded its body and car cameras, enhancing transparency and accountability thanks to state grants.
Floied’s leadership motto is “policing with compassion.” He believes in treating everyone with respect and empathy, especially during difficult and traumatic situations. Ultimately, empathy is essential in law enforcement.
On a personal note, Floied thanks his family for his success and motivation. His parents have been his rock. His three sons are his pride and joys, all of whom have served their community or country. His eldest son is a lieutenant with the fire department, his middle son served in the Army and is now a student at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, and his youngest son is a state trooper.
Floied inspires not only his colleagues but also the community he serves. Through his actions, Floied has shown that true leadership is about making a positive impact, building trust, and always serving with compassion. GN
