The LE “experience” is fraught with hazards and obstacles, many of which are internal. Having “played” this game for over 30 years, I can attest to the perils of a law enforcement career. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I would not change a thing. I’ve gotten to do all the fun stuff – bar fights, riots, assorted mayhem, “hocking” down and cuffing the bad guys, S.W.A.T. raids and call-outs – I loved it all and, without boasting, I am real good at it.
That said, standing up and standing out – competence, confidence, success and notoriety, tends to bring out the interagency critics and attackers. I’ve been: followed, both on and off duty; subject to unmeritorious I.A. investigations; transferred in retaliation and against policy; banned from public property by another agency for defending an officer improperly charged with assault in a use of force; on and on. The result? I’m still standing. Maybe a little scarred, but stronger for the experience.
The best revenge is continued success.
I can remember contacting a nationally known instructor of internal investigations while in the midst of going through one. I asked if it was common for agencies to use I.A. investigations as tools of retribution and retaliation. He just laughed and said that he was going through one and that his sheriff was doing the same thing to him at the time! You could laugh at the idiocy if it weren’t so sad.
By the way, the deputy chief of the agency which banned me from their training bureau property for three months, confronted me there the day before I was banned. “We are not happy that you testified against us,” he said. I responded that I didn’t testify against his agency, I testified as an expert hired by the police union in defense of his deputy and, last time I checked, he was entitled by law to a vigorous defense. I further told him that I could look at myself in the mirror while I shaved, and asked if he could do the same… Of course, his lack of honor, integrity and character manifested itself shortly thereafter when he was forced to resign in disgrace from a political appointment for “inappropriately” touching a female staff member. Mom always said, “People in glass houses…” Oh, and the deputy who was charged? Acquitted of all charges and subsequently awarded a cash settlement. Truth is though, he would rather have been supported in his righteous use of force versus accused based on a poor investigation.
Resilience & How to Learn It
The ability to take a hit and stay on your feet or how to get back up and continue the fight. Resilience is learned. Quite simply, life ain’t fair and you should, A) Get used to it, B) Learn ways to cope. It isn’t about “rebounding” to the same place you were, it’s about growing and strengthening yourself from the experience.
I’m reminded of my high school football experience. As a neophyte 9th grader I was skinny and ignorant of the game but in the off-season after my first year I beefed up my physical frame through hard work and pushing the iron around, and built up my mental armor by developing a burning desire to excel at the game. Next season and for my remaining career this combination of physical and mental strength and power development brought me success and accomplishment. Though a torn ACL ended any hope of a college career, that forge of effort and drive has served me well in my police career. Truth is, most officers have ill-defined goals and aspirations. They are, as the late Zig Zigler referred to as “wandering generalities” versus “meaningful specifics.” I’ve mapped and planned my career while investing in my training, experience and education and that has paid off.
I’ve tried to develop into a formidable opponent on the street as well as with other threats, regardless of whom and where they presented themselves. It’s entertaining to see folks underestimate your tenacity or willingness to fight back. I learned to stand up for myself from the thug/bullies in inner-city middle school who tormented me and other “good” students on a daily basis. I vowed I would not be bullied again.
How to Survive and Thrive Throughout Your Career
The best defense is a good offense. By continuing to do solid police work, regardless of your assignment, you progress forward and at the same time develop a built in defense. Quite simply it’s harder for the forces of evil, those intent on doing your career harm, to accomplish their malicious mission when you are a solid performer. Here are a few tips and recommendations:
- Map out your goals – write a list of what you want to achieve in your career. How to get there and who can help you attain them.
- Invest in yourself – put money aside to attend training courses. I just got back from the ILEETA (International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers) Association conference in St. Louis. I paid to get there and took my own time. If you’re not a fair haired boy, chances are you’ll have to do the same thing.
- Document – more than once I was able to provide evidence of poor direction or management because I kept hard copies of email correspondence and other documentation, away from the office, in a file.
- Articulate well – be able to defend your position and actions in a common sense and articulate manner. Being able to state that conflicting orders were given, in front of witnesses and when can oftentimes take the wind out of attacking sails.
- Audio-tape – When able, audio-tape interactions with a toxic boss. Oftentimes in their zeal for: control, revenge, or retaliation they will lose verbal control and react in anger.
- Control your emotions – oftentimes your career is a chess match. You must think moves ahead when someone with evil intent is out to get you. Losing your cool and reacting in anger is what they want – to push you until you lash out. Don’t give them the satisfaction. Sit coolly and watch the beads of sweat form.
- Know your rights – if you are in a collective bargaining agency, know the contract. Know policy, procedures and the rules. Further, if you’re a woman, minority or older, you have recourse – be prepared to defend your rights.
- Fight back – I have known some malicious folks over my career. While I have always done my job to the best of my ability and continued to produce, I have had supervisors: downgrade me for actions outside the grading period, cyber-stalk me, disrupt my work only to be written up by other supervisors, spy on me, attempt to disrupt my 1st Amendment rights, on and on… As I stated before, I’m still standing.
- Understand your opponent – what makes them tick? Do their ambitions drive them to the point they’ll attempt to steamroll perceived threats to get what they want? Do they have so little self-confidence or self-esteem they feel threatened by someone more knowledgeable, accomplished, respected or experienced than they? Many of these types of folks live and exist based solely on their rank. Successful, accomplished and veteran patrol officers are a perceived threat to them.
Wrap-Up
We signed up for the risk and stress that the street represents. We understand that if we exercise sound tactical principles and proper threat analysis that we can reduce, manage or mitigate the threat against us. But the threat and stress which comes from personal agenda driven folks within our own agencies presents the most stress and threat. For they, are capable of about anything in their zeal to attack. Wearing body armor on the street will keep you alive – armoring up your psyche to deal with these types of folks will offer you the chance to go about your business and fulfill your goals. As one police attorney said to me, “focus forward,” but don’t turn your backs on these folks and be prepared to fight a whole different kind of battle if you are so attacked.
