b'element,understandingcharacterstrengths,shouldbeHonestyandhumourarealsoessentialtobuilding incorporated into police training and education. To test thisrelationships by creating a foundation of trust, which in proposition with a senior team of criminal investigatorsturn supports healthy personal and professional environ-in 2018 and 2019, the examination of character strengthsments.InhisbookTheSpeedofTrust,StephenM.R. wasintroducedintotheskills-andknowledge-basedCovey identifies four core strengths supporting relationship curriculum of the Major Case Management course at thehealth:credibility,integrity,characterandcapabilities. Ontario Police College. A half-day session utilized the workThese core strengths are operationalized by a fundamental ofPetersonandSeligman, 4 whichidentifiessixvirtuescompetence to undertake tasks (p. 57), again reinforcing and 24 character strengths, the virtues being wisdom andthe necessity of both competence and character. A quote knowledge, courage, humanity, justice, temperance andattributed to Warren Buffett states, Trust is like the air we transcendence. Within the virtues, the strengths includebreathe. When its present, nobody really notices; when creativity, curiosity, judgment, love of learning, perspec- itsabsent,everybodynotices.Ifhonestyisaprimary tive, bravery, perseverance, honesty, zest, love, kindness,character strength, then dishonest behaviour (undertaken social intelligence, teamwork, fairness, leadership, forgive- or observed) creates distress and conflict. ness, humility, prudence, self-regulation, gratitude, hope,In addition to daily interactions, there is a long-term humour, spirituality, appreciation of beauty and excellence.benefitfromtheworkofexperiencedseriouscrime Each participant was an experienced investigator calledinvestigatorsandstrengthdiscussions.Inresearchwith upon to deal with serious criminal cases and, in many instan- TheGallupOrganization,MarcusBuckinghamidentified ces, was responsible for leading a team of detectives. Theythe practical benefits of using strength conversations to individually completed the VIA (Values in Action) characterdeveloptheknowledgeofcharacterstrengthsforeach strengths survey. Participants were asked to reflect on theirperson on the team, and then utilizing that information top five strengths and consider how those strengths werebeyond the selection process to include the evaluation, currently benefitting their professional and personal lives.development and promotion processes within any organ-For example, if the primary character strength is Honestyization. The research identified the single most important and the second-highest ranked is Humour, how mightdriver of performance on a team as the members feeling these be manifested in the work of a criminal investigator?as though their tasks allow them the opportunity to use If honesty and humour are in balance, the integrity of thetheir strengthsthat is, doing what they do best each day. investigativeprocessandmaintainingtheteammoraleIf the leaders of these criminal investigation teams move with appropriate levity are important professional benefits. to a strategic strengths-based approach, the outcomes canThe Official Publication of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police19'