Frank Borelli
Editor-in-Chief
Officer.com
Every year we read and hear about various New Year's Resolutions: those things in our lives we feel we can improve. If we're smart we write them down and make an earnest effort to effect positive change in our life. It occurs to me that, especially for those who work in law enforcement, there are a few resolutions that might be a good idea.
Physical Fitness: I read somewhere that losing weight is the number one resolution among non-smokers (apparently the number one resolution for smokers is to quit smoking). The need or desire to lose weight may be common but it carries more importance in our field of work. As contemporary law enforcement professionals we should strive to maintain a physical fitness level higher than the "average citizen". Now, that might be easy if you live in a neighborhood full of obese people, but you just never know when you're going to meet that lean mean freshly released convict. THAT is the guy you have to be in better shape than. Additionally, being overweight only adds to other issues, such as poor sleep schedules and inadequate diet, to increase stress and do potentially lifelong or terminal harm to our bodies. I had to look at myself in the mirror and take this challenge on head first. I've always paid attention but this holiday season I just didn't. I can easily afford to lose 10% of my body weight. 1/10th of me is FAT. Take a sincere look at your own fitness levels, even if it's just a simple measure of your weight, and resolve to make a positive change.
Professional appearance: This is an add-on to the above. If you're over weight it is more difficult to look sharp in your uniform. If you're trim and fit you can still look unprofessional in your uniform through simple negligence or carelessness. I remember putting my nametag, rank pins, etc on my military uniform using a ruler. It took me about fifteen minutes of measuring, centering, proper placement, applying the pin-backs... but when it was done everything was in just the right spot. That was when I was 19 and standing inspection EVERY day before patrolling as an MP. In the police academy an equal amount of attention was paid - and my shoes got shined EVERY day. My belt buckle got polished EVERY night. My uniforms - even though they were just utility blues - were clean, ironed and free of lint. A few years later I was happy to work midnights because I could wear utility blues and it was a rare occasion that I taped the lint off. Sleeves rolled up? If I could get away with it. (I hate long sleeves). More than one law enforcement expert says that a professional appearance reduces your chances of being assaulted on duty. I mean, think about it: would you rather attack the sloppy fat cop or the fit sharp looking one? This is a no brainer AND it's part of your job. Resolve to keep your uniform 110%. Put up with the kidding from your work mates and pay attention to the serious guy who says, "Damn; looking sharp. It's about time."
Equipment maintenance: How many times have you gone on duty without checking the lights on your patrol vehicle? When was the last time you cleaned your weapon? Our online poll showed that 31% of the cops who voted
only clean their weapons after they've been to the range. For some folks
that's once a year. 12% replied that they cleaned their weapons weekly. Want to bet they're the same guys who check out their patrol vehicle before every shift? They're the guys who have an organized trunk; know that their fire extinguisher is still good and have fresh water in their Go Bag. Resolve to maintain your equipment in the proper fashion. Yeah, it takes time. Yes, it can be boring. But if you do it right you can find stuff that needs to be upgraded or replaced and you'll have a defendable reason to explain to your wife why you had to buy that new flashlight. Oh, yeah... make sure you have replacement batteries and a bulb for your flashlights.
Professional development / career growth: what did you do in 2008 to improve your standings for promotion? What did you do in 2008 to increase your knowledge about your profession and everything that affects it? I know we all attend the mandatory minimum in-service training and we go to the range how many ever times the agency mandates to shoot the required minimum scores. Being a law enforcement professional should never mean simply meeting the minimum standards. As with anything you do it should mean pursuing excellence. You may not ever be the best shot on your agency, but you can improve your shooting to be the best you're capable of. You may not ever get a PhD (or want one) but you can get a few Continuing Education Units for that extra in-service you attended. Law enforcement is like everything else: if you're not growing then you're falling behind. Staying stagnant means declining in the work environment. The agency mandates a minimum growth level. If you want to excel and be "the best" you have to exceed those minimum standards... and then some.
Personal development: I just read an article about the term "renaissance man" and how, in contemporary society, few use it or aspire to it. What's a renaissance man? A man who masters more than one field of endeavor. While I encourage you to be the best you can be at work I would also recommend that you set a personal resolution that involves learning some new skill or partaking of a new activity. Work is but one field of endeavor for you to master. There are plenty of others that can increase your knowledge, brain function, fitness levels, home happiness, etc. Learn to play an instrument. Learn a new language. Take up a new hobby. A renaissance man holds skills in, at a minimum, three fields of endeavor: art, science and spirituality. Pick one of those to improve upon in your life.
That is but a few of the New Year's Resolutions law enforcement professionals might benefit from. The first three, to me, are simply a matter of increased officer survival. The last two personally benefit you with an overlap into professional benefit as well.
Stay safe!
