P1 First Person: A “Delta P” approach to professionalism

By Sergeant William Boyd Kiphart II
St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department
North Patrol Division, District Six

The term “Delta P” is an aviation term referencing a change (Delta) in atmospheric pressure (P). This is a significant concept in aviation due to the fact that where there is a change in atmospheric pressure, all other factors and instruments are affected. This is the one change during the course of a flight that affects all other factors and components of flight characteristics (such as flight instruments require recalibration, altitude and the like change.

In my philosophy the “P” is not atmospheric pressure but our philosophy. The concept remains the same and at the foundation of the teaching: if we change our philosophy on policing, everything else will change as well. This not only includes how we act and perform our duties, but how we are viewed by the public and even more important, how we are viewed by ourselves and each other. In brief, the “Delta P” philosophy can best be summarized as:

• Commitment to consummate professionalism
• Commitment to excellence in all endeavors
• Commitment to Corp Values
o Honor
o Integrity
o Pride
o Duty
o Justice
o Courage
o Self Control
o Politeness
o Loyalty
• Absolute accountability
• Leadership by example
• Not over investing in what we can not control

As a lifestyle, this means the acceptance of the responsibility to serve, protect, and defend at all times. It is the commitment to training and tactics, living by the warrior’s code, acceptance of the Sheepdogs’ responsibility in society.

This lesson plan was written over the course of two summers with the assistance of my father, a police officer of more than four decades. During these conversations of two summers we discussed, analyzed and dissected our perception of the current state of law enforcement not only as a profession but as a lifestyle. My perspective was combined with his of a retired Major and Inspector of Police. Of significant contribution was his experience as a St. Louis police officer in the early 1960s and my unique perspective of law enforcement through the eyes of an aviator and educator.

At the end of the day, we determined that our perceived flaws in the lifestyle were not due to something new we were doing wrong, but rather something that we were doing right and stopped!

My dad spoke at length of one of his instructors from the time when he sat as a recruit in the very building in which I typed this summary. So profound was this impression on him and his career that he remembered the instructors name; Sergeant Joseph Gallagher. Then Sergeant and later Lieutenant Colonel Gallagher taught the Indoctrination in the History and Tradition of the St. Louis Police Department.

This was best described as a fire and brimstone style emotional presentation on the philosophy and duty of a St. Louis Police officer. This duty and responsibility was based on a commitment to excellence based on duty to every officer that had ever gone before us and the tradition and development of policing back through mans history. This was the presentation the recruits received just after they were sworn in and issued their weapons and badges; at that time the first week of the academy. I mentioned to my father that we did not do such a presentation any longer and I do not think that we had in some time.

This presentation was an appeal to core values and as George Shinault was referenced in the Journal of the Board of Police Commissioner on December 14, 1929 — the ABCs of Police Work — or the teaching of a philosophy of core values, something that we were doing right and stopped.

“Delta P” addresses this deficit. It is intended to subvert the acceptance of a standard, for this or any other law enforcement agency, of mediocrity in mind and body and performance with a direct challenge. It also creates a grass roots approach to change over the long term by creating a career buy in by the new recruits; a philosophical and psychological career development program.

As I present it to the recruits and FTOs, this is a core responsibility: for us to take responsibility for each other and lead by example. I challenge these officers who accept the responsibility to network with and support each other. I ask them to identify themselves by wearing their badge according to the Police Manual, “...immediately above the left breast pocket...”

Many officers’ wear their badge as it sits when placed through the stitched holes the manufacturer provides. This thoughtlessly places the lower portion of the badger over a portion of the left breast pocket. For those committed to the Delta “P” philosophy this is a lesser standard — they aspire to a higher standard of appearance, performance, and duty. They wear their badge at a higher standard always to be found above the pocket. They will also typically be identified by their attention to their uniform and appearance and hopefully by the wearing of the garrison hat rather than the travesty of a baseball cap. This not only allows them to recognize and seek out each other but serves as a reminder to their commitment each time they choose to place the badge where they want it on their chest and not simply where the holes already existed; leadership rather than following at the most basic level.

While this is just a visual representation, these officers are obvious if they work for or with you. Their performance and diligence in fulfilling their duty and their personal behavior, based on core values and absolute accountability will become its own axiom.