In partnership with Cerrowire and the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce, the Hartselle Police Department will present the North Alabama Leadership Pursuit July 20 at the Hartselle High School auditorium.

The free event will open to the public and will be held from 8 a.m. until noon.

The speaker of the day is Paul Butler, a 27-year veteran of law enforcement who has served as a training officer, sergeant, crisis negotiator, chief of police and chief deputy.

According to his website, these opportunities have given him a unique perspective on a vast array of situations and circumstances many people find themselves in every day.

These experiences have helped him develop the answers to questions and cures to problems most people are facing at work and in life on a continual basis.

HPD Chief Justin Barley said he heard a presentation by Butler at the FBI National Academy Conference, and it had a profound impact on him and made him want to bring Butler to Hartselle. Barley said anyone who attends can benefit from hearing the presentation.

“He does presentations for groups outside of law enforcement, so our idea was to bring him into the area with people representing all areas and groups,” Barley said. “There will be a lot of police officers there – we’re giving continuing education hours for attendance – and we are also hoping to have a lot of civilians there as well. The goal is to fill every seat.

“(This is) an awesome opportunity to train with each other, to learn together and grow, and I encourage everyone who can attend to do so,” Barley added.

Butler’s motivational presentation will cover what it takes to be a good professional and highlight the power of being a good person, according to the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce.

“Butler will illustrate how to take individual talents and apply them to the group setting to make an unstoppable and productive team,” the HACC shared. “It is his belief that the ability to lead is present in everyone, regardless of their rank in an organization or irrespective of their situation in life.

“There are common characteristics that respected people and effective leaders share; most of these traits are developed by the individual rather than through the position they hold,” the HACC added. “This presentation will cover some of these most important leadership traits, as well as how each individual can use the lessons of yesterday to overcome the challenges of today and capitalize on the opportunities of tomorrow.”

To register for the event, visit www.hartsellechamber.com.