16th International Training Conference of the American Society for
Law Enforcement Training

Bob Dent (left) is presented the American Society for Law Enforcement Training's
Life Time Achievement Award by Dave Smith, Former Director of Training at the Law Enforcement Television Network

After more than 25 years with the Oregon State Police, and being exposed to the best and absolute worst in people, retired Senior Trooper Bob Dent remains steadfast in his belief that most are kind, and that anything is possible. Others say he makes things happen, and that his belief serves as the catalyst for what he has accomplished during his life.

Dent was nominated by ASLET Board member Dave Smith who, years ago, recruited him as a member of the organization. According to Smith ’s nomination, Dent “took the pain of a personal loss and converted it to positive energy to create life-saving law enforcement training.”

Smith first met Dent when he worked with him in the early 90s, helping to produce a training video on Survival Spanish for the Law Enforcement Television Network. A close friend of Dent’s had been murdered on a stop because he could not understand the suspects plotting. Bob believed that if officers knew key words they could possibly survive similar situations, and also could provide better service to the Spanish speaking community.

The programs were well received…”before long the anecdotes were rolling in of law enforcement and corrections officers who had avoided serious injury or death by understanding key words,” writes Smith . Dent continued to develop materials, and now has field manuals published in 11 foreign languages. One was awarded “Best Book of the Year for Content” by the National Association of Independent Publishers. He is considering writing a manual in Arabic which would include a section about cultural diversity.

Dent has donated approximately $40,000 in books and training videos to law enforcement agencies across the country who are limited by small training budgets.

He expanded his work in communication and collaborated with Alan Morris, former Director of Training for the U.S. Navy SEALS, to develop the “Silent Universal Signals” system. This non-verbal communication can be used in almost any situation. Dent and Morris have been contacted by schools, pilots, and many public safety professionals from around the globe.

Dent has been driven to continue his work with one purpose in mind…to help save the lives of innocent people. He says he’s been to too many funerals.

For those who have died in the line of duty, he found a way to reach out to their survivors and introduced the Fallen Officer’s Bill. According to its provision, payment is assessed from convicted criminals and that money is directed to the families of slain or incapacitated public safety officers. The Bill has been signed into law in Oregon , and Dent has been contacted by troopers from approximately 20 other states who are either interested or already pursuing legislation through elected representatives.

His Constable Public Safety Memorial Foundation, Inc., was founded in 1995 without much fanfare and, according to Smith , with the humility he has shown throughout their friendship. Family members of slain officers from across the country have been helped with funds from the non-profit organization.

“He has shown the deepest humanity for those he knows only as the loved ones of fallen officers and reached out to help without regard to personal gain or recognition,” writes Smith .

Good deeds have a way of resonating beyond the individual, and Dent has been recognized by numerous notable individuals, including former President George Bush and Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber. He received commendations from former FBI Director William Sessions, the American Association of State Troopers, and the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police, along with many other awards throughout his long and distinguished career.

[The Ed Nowicki Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes and encourages others in their lifetime pursuit of improving law enforcement training. Criteria includes significant contributions to law enforcement training in general. Other less tangible qualities that will be honored with this award will be leadership, motivation and overall impact on the law enforcement training community by the recipient.]