Editor’s note: In “Ask Tung,” Commander Eric Tung shares practical insights on fitness, wellness and leadership to help officers succeed on and off duty. Have a question? Contact Tung on Instagram @bluegritwellness or bluegritwellness@gmail.com.
“I want to be proactive in my role, but I don’t know how to go about it or be fully mindful of the risks. How do I strike the right balance?”
Fortunately, we’re climbing out of the years when officers and administrators encouraged only reactivity — a byproduct of limited staffing and constant scrutiny. With those days in the rearview, many newer officers hired since 2019 are building confidence from their experience, skills and positive reception in the community.
We’re in a time when many junior officers are eager to get after it. They want to work hard, learn fast and do the job they signed up for — not just sit idle and wait for dispatched calls. Proactivity, or initiative and engagement, is how one builds a meaningful career.
But going hard doesn’t mean going recklessly. Being effective is about managing risk, resources and resolve. If you’re asking this question, you already recognize the importance of balance. You want to go home safe at the end of shift — and avoid unnecessary fallout, physically, legally or professionally. Here are five key concepts to guide your tenacity with boundaries.
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Defining proactivity
I’ve had my own officers tell me they want to be more proactive but don’t know how. To address something, we need to define it.
What does being proactive mean to you? Is it traffic stops, foot patrols, warrant service or making community contacts? Ask ten cops and you’ll get ten different answers.
For some, it’s studying case law before the sergeant assigns it. For others, it’s high-fiving kids at school before responding to a domestic involving their parents. Proactivity can mean enforcement, engagement or preparation. All of it involves taking the helm of your own learning and growth.
Recognizing that proactive work takes many forms reflects the diversity of skill sets every officer needs — and the range of strengths every healthy department should value.
Proactivity isn’t just about stops and contacts. It’s about taking initiative to better yourself, physically and mentally.
Knowing the mission — and your mission
If you think being proactive means only traffic stops, you’re missing the bigger picture. Every department has a mission statement. You probably read it before your oral board and see it hanging in briefing. But have you really thought about what it means?
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The mission spells out what your agency is trying to do. Revisit it and ask what that looks like in your daily work. Think about the calls and moments when you felt you made a difference — taking a dangerous person off the street, helping a victim, restoring peace to a business corridor.
Then reflect on your personal mission — the reason you went through the academy, OC spray and public scrutiny. Where your mission and your department’s mission overlap is the sweet spot for your energy and initiative.
True proactivity is knowing when to act and when to hold back.
Perfect practice makes progress
When building proactivity, we’re really building proficiency. Some trainers say it’s all about more reps. That’s partly true — but only if they’re good reps.
If you’re focused on traffic safety and DUI enforcement, great. But if you’re chasing numbers at the expense of officer safety or sound tactics, your priorities are off. Practice doesn’t make perfect — perfect practice makes perfect.
One of my first patrol sergeants pushed us to report our proactive field work. I once bragged about how many hot spots I’d hit. He asked, “What did you accomplish?” I listed my stops and effort. He told me effort wasn’t the point — results were. It wasn’t about stats. It was about effect.
Quality takes more than motion. It takes intention and results.
Doing your homework
The best, cleanest, most effective work comes from knowing your craft. Study your laws and ordinances. Stay current on case law and departmental policy. Know your tactics and de-escalation strategies in real-world terms, not just training-room theory.
Build a network of mentors — supervisors, detectives, trainers and prosecutors. Take part in debriefs and after-action discussions. Play “what if” with your team. Most situations don’t require rushing. Often, you can pause or disengage to reassess.
If you don’t yet have mentors, start by reviewing a major felony case. Reach out to the lead detective or prosecutor. Ask to talk. Most will respect your initiative and share insight — that’s real professional growth.
Proactivity means preparation — body and mind
If you want to stay sharp and safe — from suspects, lawsuits or burnout — prepare like it matters. Proactivity isn’t just about stops and contacts. It’s about taking initiative to better yourself, physically and mentally.
That means fitness, mental clarity and emotional regulation. If you’re foggy, fatigued or checked out, you’ll miss warning signs and make avoidable mistakes. You’ll rush when you should be calm or freeze when you should move.
Being proactive starts with discipline in your own health. Your mind and body are your primary tools, and they directly determine how well you perform.
Bringing it all together
Proactive police work isn’t about being a cowboy. It’s about awareness — of your environment, your body, your tools and the community around you.
True proactivity is knowing when to act and when to hold back. It’s about shaping your attitude, your practices and your purpose with clarity and composure. When your compass aligns with the mission, you take calculated risks, keep learning and prepare your mind and body — that’s how you make a real difference.
Because in the end, it’s not about doing everything. It’s about doing the right things, the right way. Be proactive. Keep progressing.
Tactical takeaway
Proactivity is a mindset, not a metric. The officers who thrive aren’t the busiest — they’re the most intentional, learning from every action and using initiative to drive steady, smart growth.
