Editor’s Note: In PoliceOne “Frst Person” essays, our Members and Columnists candidly share their own unique view of the world. This is a platform from which individual officers can share their own personal insights on issues confronting cops today, as well as opinions, observations, and advice on living life behind the thin blue line. This week’s feature is from PoliceOne Member Trace Kendig, who began his career in law enforcement with a small agency in Northwest Iowa. Kendig presently serves with the Windsor Heights (Iowa) Police Department, where he is lead FTO, DT, and TASER instructor. Trace also furnished us with the tactical tip, “Train your family for an off-duty encounter with an active shooter.” Do you want to share your own perspective with other P1 Members? Send us an e-mail with your story.
 |
By Officer Trace Kendig
Windsor Heights (Iowa) PD
Throughout my career in law enforcement there have been many changes. When I started at a small rural agency in northwest Iowa, I was issued a Smith and Wesson Model 19 .357 as my duty weapon. I did not have a camera in my patrol car, or a computer. When I started I had a little FTO time and then was basically turned loose (before I had even attended the academy!). Now, I cannot even fit into my patrol because of all of the gizmos and gadgets. New officers go through a long academy and then three months of FTO. Although there have been many changes over the last decade, one thing had remained constant: drama within the department. There is always some type of conflict or altercation that has everyone talking.
Police Officers are used to being the people in charge. When we show up at a scene, we are the boss! The majority of the time we are left alone to handle things as we choose, as long as we stay within the laws of our state and the policies of our departments. There are times though, when direction from a supervisor is required. It’s no surprise that this can really ruffle the feathers of a patrol officer who is usually in charge of their world. It is hard to take direction when you are usually the one giving the direction. Police work attracts (and breeds) independent personalities. This is where so much internal strife can originate. In my experience, this strife is usually between a patrol officer and their sergeant (street level supervisor), but these issues can revolve around any supervisor/subordinate relationship.
I’m sure that all cops wish they had a dollar for each time they heard a colleague expounding on how inept the PD administration was. I wish I had a dollar for each time I heard MYSELF deriding my command staff! We have all had times when we felt persecuted by a supervisor. I know I have felt that way many times. The purpose of this article though is not to recall all the times I have been upset at my superiors. The purpose is to relay what I have come to realize over the last year or so. I have come to realize that police administrators are almost always trying to do what is best for the department as a whole. They are not trying to attack you. There is a goal that is trying to be achieved, and believe it or not, it may not be what you want!
All police officers need to realize that we are part of a team, and the supervisors are our coaches. We may not always agree with them, but we always must listen to them. I do not want to come across as a sheep, or someone that will blindly follow any order given to me. Those that know me will attest that I am fiercely independent and used to challenge my supervisors at every turn. I did come to find, though, that things work a lot smoother when I work with my supervisors than when I try to fight against them.
Do we always get along perfectly? Heck no! I clash with my own supervisor all the time, but I do so in a professional manner. Just because we disagree does not give us the right to be insubordinate. There is a rank structure in place for a reason; it keeps the department running as smooth as possible.
I know that by now many of you have dismissed me as a kiss-ass. I can’t stop you from thinking that but really, nothing is farther from the truth. If I have an issue that I cannot resolve with my direct supervisor, I follow the chain of command and move up the line. If I cannot get resolution within the chain of command and I am truly in the right, I can always pursue the issue through my union (I am also a union steward for my department).
I do know that there are supervisors out there who are no good at what they do. I have worked for guys that should never have been hired as a police officer. Did they get fired? Nope, they got promoted! When you encounter one of these, you have to do your best to work with them and with their supervisor.
There was recently an issue brought to my attention that got me to thinking about the issue of street supervisor/patrol cop relations. A street level supervisor and a patrol officer had a disagreement over an arrest and the charge filed. The issue became a huge deal when it should have been resolved very quickly. The patrol officer did not conduct themselves in a professional manner, and the supervisor did not help matters. This issue caused me to reflect on some of my own problems that I have had with supervisors in the past. I realized that the longer I am on the job, the more I have come to appreciate what a supervisor must do each day. I try to keep that in mind when dealing with my supervisor. I also keep in mind to be professional no matter what.
The next time you have a run in with your sergeant, take the time to catch your breath and try to see what is best for the team.
