Maybe I am fashioning a generalization from observations that I made during my recent travels. While speaking and interacting with today’s younger officers across the country, I noticed a change in their demeanor towards each other and how they view ‘the job.’ Now, I am coming from an older and very different generation which started back in the late 70s and find their views upsetting to me. All the while, when comparing those times to today’s contemporary times, it just might be an issue that needs to be addressed. I think it’s worth noting that they may be forgetting what we really should be doing as cops. One of the core essential jobs of law enforcement is caring for one another. Be that brother or be that sister to your fellow officers.
This article appeared in the July issue of OFFICER Magazine. Click Here to view the digital edition. Click Here to subscribe to OFFICER Magazine.
Today
I fully understand that today’s officers have been subjected to untold amounts of vile and venom from the media, politicians, and all the police haters. The microscopic scrutiny that today’s police are under may exacerbate this issue and I do I get that; I totally do. Now, looking at recent media reports, some were disturbing where police officers have turned against fellow officers or their departments; after which many had observed wrongs but never sought to correct them first. Officers being berated by their so-called ‘police leaders’ and local politicians, who have sold out their officers for their own political gain immediately, come to mind. That has put police in the limelight of the news and has not been positive.
The media is guilty of headlining their lead stories with bad police who have been rushed to be charged, only later to be cleared. There will be no rebuttals nor updates; only to have their later exonerations of not guilty found on the back page next to the used auto parts. Matters not, still the damage has been done.
Recently, I had a very deep, long conversation with a couple of young officers. I had asked them how the climate of their department was. They were full of distrust due to political aspiring chiefs and sheriffs. They did not trust their leadership hierarchy. They feel that they are out there on their own, alone. These responses were coming from both union and right-to-work states. Finally, I asked of them, do you care for and about each other? Basically, I was told that it is every officer for themselves. Most did not trust the other officers/deputies that they worked with, which mortified me.
When I reminisced to back in ‘my day,’ I recalled that if we knew another officer had a bad night or a rough call, we would check on them. We would probably hang around in the parking lot at the end of the shift to make sure they were OK. Sometimes we would even slip by a cop-friendly bar and have a drink and conversation with them.
Now, I am not saying that alcohol is a solution to a problem by any means but I think the camaraderie was the key point. Caring coworkers who wanted to talk it out, not let the issue fester nor allowing them to take that baggage home to their family or to an empty house if they were single.
Through the years, we have increased and enhanced the applications of formal peer counseling. There has been vast improvement with employee assistance programs (EAP). My curiosity peaks when I wonder if it had been available at today’s levels back then would we have saved a few cops careers, marriages or lives? I was blessed working in a larger metropolitan agency where when you reported for a shift, we had a group that hung out together, we stayed close, and we looked out for each other. When one had a family problem, whether it be a death, sickness, or injury; we were there for them. We would swap days off so they could be with their kids or family. And I do not know if I see that now. Now maybe we should see if the human relations unit could come into play. Do you know what your department’s human resources has available now and long term for the officers? You should, and every supervisor/leader should be fully educated of what resources are available and have them on speed dial. I would also add to the phone directory, your local Veterans Administration numbers as well. The number of officers who are military veterans is growing and PTSD is real; have quick connectivity ready for them, just in case they need it.
Maybe we have become too stringent or formal, we have far too many rules and regulations for our own good at times. I always recall my police academy days where we were taught and drilled into us—we are brothers and sisters. You looked out for your brothers and your sisters. They also used to throw around the maxim—“we might be mad at each other, but if you slap one of us, you slap all of us.”
That maxim may be true but the thing of it is, and speaking directly to contemporary officers, the younger officers of today - I don’t sense that now. I hope I am proved wrong. As I sit around with a couple of fellow retirees off the job, they’re also saying the same thing - we/they don’t see the camaraderie of yesteryear. They do not see the young men and women at FOP or union meetings like they used to and nor are they are hanging out in the fellowship of this vocation. This everyone for themselves only, every man/woman for himself does not hold water. We need the collective support of others; that supportive framework that looks out for you on dark days. I realize that it is tough on the smaller agencies where maybe only one or two officers are working, I understand that. But the bond should be just as strong. Take time and make a resolution to yourself that you’re going to be that brother/sister to your coworkers. We’re all in this together. If you notice when the media besmirches law enforcement, they do it with a wide paintbrush. We need to apply an even wider paintbrush and spread the brotherly and sisterly love and support that creates those bonds that tie us together. Make a difference with your co-workers and be what you can be to them. Be that brother or sister.
This article appeared in the July issue of OFFICER Magazine.
