Editor’s Note: This week’s PoliceOne First Person essay is from PoliceOne Member Sam Preston, a Lieutenant with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office in Evansville, Indiana. In PoliceOne “First 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. If you want to share your own perspective with other P1 Members, simply send us an e-mail with your story.
By Sam Preston
Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office
Over the past few months I have attended several retirement parties and half as many funerals of former deputies. I’ve also caught myself telling war stories involving colleagues that have long since retired. The gravel road where I made my first arrest is now an expressway and it costs me an extra $25 dollars to add the longevity stripes on the sleeve of my winter uniform.
The defining moment finally came last night while I was on my cell phone. For some reason, I remembered how when I was a probationary I got “gigged” by one of the seasoned officers because I didn’t carry any extra change in the event we had to make a phone call.
Yes, it has happened to me.
I’ve become the same deputy that I used to sit in roll call with and gaze at with bewilderment. I have become the dinosaur. Speaking for fellow dinosaurs let me answer some questions for you rookie cops.
Yes we used a pen and paper to take reports and work accidents.
Yes we used a road book and fold-up map to navigate the county.
No, we did not add with an abacus, but we can calculate the speed of a crash with a plastic ruler (just Google “Northwestern Traffic Template” if you don’t believe me!).
And to answer the question you whisper and think I don’t hear: yes I used to work the road. In fact, I’ve spent more time at the gas pumps than you have on the street, so we can drop this subject.
Now that I have had my say to the young guns in our profession, it is time to talk to my fellow veterans. Many of us have been promoted into positions where we don’t get to use the newest equipment, practice the latest tactics, and play with the new technology. We also don’t get to experience the drunks, the bar fights, the family disputes, and the arrests.
Basically we just don’t get to have fun anymore.
Articles I used to read about the best tactical knife and the most concealable off-duty holster have now been replaced with manuals on overtime tracking systems and resolving union grievances.
Because many of our job descriptions have been redefined, some of us have forgotten that we are still in a profession that we love. We often say the job has changed, the cops have changed and policing is just different; but what have we done to fix this? What will your legacy be when you retire? What do we owe our profession? How can we have fun again? Based on my personal observations as well as lesson learned from of my own mistakes I have decided to share the follow with you:
Set the example, don’t be the example
In my career I’ve always been able to learn from other deputies. In most cases I was able to steal a tactic, a phrase or technique that benefited me. In other cases I watched a deputy and said to myself “I sure as hell won’t ever do that.”
Either way, education took place. We as senior officers — regardless of rank — need to do it right all the time. Don’t arrive on a scene and be a liability. Keep your basic skills sharp and don’t ever quit learning.
Embrace the mid-life crisis
How many of you have seen this? You’re out to dinner and run into an officer who now has a new hair style (which is not quite as grey as it was last week). He s 15lbs. lighter and wearing the same brand clothes your teenager is wearing. You then walk outside and see a sports car with personalized plate 1 COP on the rear. Six weeks later he is living in an apartment and seeing his kids on Wednesday and every other weekend.
While often referred to as a mid-life crisis, many mental health journals refer to this time in life (age 37-50) as the mid-life transition.
This transition is often a time of exceptional growth instead of negative change. This change occurs in all of us and we all will seek to find balance and harmony in our lives. We will respond in either an adaptive (+) or maladaptive (-) manner during this transition.
I won’t argue that it doesn’t suck to be getting old, but we have to make ourselves aware of what opportunities that it brings. If your career has put you in an assignment or rank that negates change there are still options to recharge your batteries and find professional balance.
Years of experience has made you a valuable commodity. Have you ever thought of teaching? Most training units and academies welcome guest instructors or role players for scenario based training. Most local colleges and universities offer criminal justice classes. This may be providing an avenue to use your experience in a little different way than you normally do.
In your personal life you may also have to make some changes. As a weekend warrior I personally have started the transition from player to coach. I am still very active in sports but have noticed that the knee, neck, shoulder, heel elbow etc. does not always cooperate. I have found in coaching that I can still be involved in the sports that I love and use my knowledge to teach. It may also be time to really explore that hobby or work on those projects you have been meaning to do for years. This is the perfect time to get re-acquainted with your spouse. Chances are you they are also in that transitional phase as well. Find interests that you both enjoy.
If You Can’t Make it Better, Don’t Make it Worse
Our seniority and rank is not only worn on our collar but in our demeanor. Too often supervisors and senior officers arrive on a scene and take over. I call that supervising for the sake of supervising.
When asked a question by a new officer; respond by asking them what they think. Chances are they know what they want to do, they just want assurance. Allow the young officers some “trial by error’ growth. As a Lt. I made a promise to my deputies is that unless their actions violate a state statute, constitutional right, policy or puts them in danger I would never front them to the public. Now we may discuss other options later but this support allows growth of the new officers and shows trust.
Take Ownership
The cold hard truth is that not long after you retire you will be forgotten. If you’re lucky there will be a party and maybe a ceremony with a plaque, but when you leave the job continues. Runs will still be dispatched, cases still assigned and your spot will be filled with another body. This is just the nature of the job. This does not mean that you legacy will be forgotten. I believe that a true legacy isn’t necessary how you are remembered but rather displayed in the actions of your co-workers after you leave.
Did your personal and professional example inspire others to conduct business in a like manner? Bill Westfall, of the Gallagher-Westfall Group, in his Leadership Test asks “Am I doing the right thing, at the right time, for the right reason?” If you can answer this simple test with “yes” throughout your career you have indeed created a legacy.
Enjoy the Journey
Too often we are so focused on the destination (retirement) that we forget to enjoy the road we are taking. Is the off duty job worth missing your daughter’s soccer game? Have you been guilty of telling your son “We’ll do that next week?” When was the last time you took the family to the park, the game, to church, or on vacation? When was the last time you socialized with non-police officers?
George (Doc) Thompson, the founder of the Verbal Judo Institute said that police officers often burn out because we forgot why we got into this profession. He said that too often we see ourselves as “garbage collectors” just taking the trash off the street.
Over time this mindset will turn the profession that we love into a job with a paycheck. The police spirit dies and pretty soon we forget why we put on the badge.
In case you’ve forgotten, let me remind you: You put on that badge because you are noble, fair, and honorable. You are the defender of truth and righteous. You are a Warrior who brings a promise of peace. You are the voice of reason in unreasonable times. You are a father, mother, spouse, child, neighbor, and friend. Be vigilant in both your professional and personal life. The phrase “to serve and protect” is synonymous with our profession. We’ve all read this thousand of times but the next time you see it ask yourself this. Who am I serving? Who am I protecting? And who should I be?
