Now here’s an interesting one to ponder when you are next considering your personal stance on moral leadership.

Police Chief Richard Knoebel of Kewaskum (total staff of 10) Police Department, Wisconsin wasn’t about to take the easy way out when he accidentally drove past a stopped school bus with its emergency lights flashing. For violating traffic laws (not stopping for a school bus is a big no no in the US), Knoebel wrote himself a ticket for $235, docked himself four points on his driving record and paid the fine the next day.

It happened in September but didn’t make news until after the fine appeared in court records and was reported by a local newspaper.

Knoebel says he doesn’t mind getting the belated attention, if it serves to raise awareness. "If it brings notice to people that they should be stopping for school buses, I don’t mind the notoriety," he said.

He said he was on patrol on four-lane U.S. 45 when he was distracted by a stopped dump truck. He saw a car coming from behind and thought it might hit the truck, so he moved to pass the truck before he saw the stopped school bus in the far lane. He said he didn’t realise he had passed the bus until it was too late.

So. What would you have done?

Related posts:

1. Police leadership blogging
2. Leadership Blogging Programme