Recently I have noticed that the new engaging question that journalists are asking during interviews is “what keeps you awake at night”. This question seems to open up the personal side of the subject and allows a perspective of them as a ‘real person’. I will admit, some interview responses were eye-opening and not a canned response. The realist side of me wants to dissect the moment of time more than the question. Seems that our lives are really journeys and what chapter we are in that day will vary that days’ response. We all possess preconceived concepts on what we believe is the other person’s burden. Our perception of what life should be like is not what reality turns out to be.
What Keeps You Awake
Another point of this piece is to look at our overall mental health. Police work in itself is stressful enough, so let’s not compound it. If you recall your stations in life, your sleepless nights have varied. From the recruit worrying about graduating the academy to completing the FTO program. Then what precinct or assignment you receive. On the professional or career side of the coin, you could face changes in assignments -voluntary or ‘voluntold’. Your days off and shifts were changed. Your co-workers and circle of friends transform with each phase of life. Seeking promotions can turn friends into competitors as I have seen. If you are seeking a chief’s job, this quest is an all-nighter with decisions from all gambits of your life. It is easy to say, as you travel the career path, the causation for the lack of sleep changes.
On any given day, your personal life’s baggage will take center stage. Years ago, I wrote about the 24 x 7 theory of managing recruits. It is not the 8 hours of the day they are attached to the FTO but often the off-duty hours that can be problematic. That article also addressed the youthful misadventures that recruits could get into on and off-duty that have career ending consequences. There is no time off it seems, especially at 3AM.
So, let’s not forget the personal side of life. The issues of marriage(s), relationships, finances and parenthood – any of these or a combination of which can keep you awake. How you balance your new career with non-cop friendly friends and family members.
Command Sleeplessness
Each of you could walk up to your chief or sheriff and ask them this question, but again the response will vary with the timing. As a chief, what keeps me awake at night? It depends. Some days it is what will be ‘above the fold’ in the media. Some days it can be localized issues or crime. The dealing with contracts, political ends and budgets are always a basis for extra coffee in the morning. Every chief or sheriff worth their salt should worry about the safety, training and readiness of their department and its most valuable assets- their staff. Every day is different for me, now for you.
As a young officer, I have mentioned the young family person balance with career objectives. All of these are on the teetertotter of life. As the perennial old guy, let me offer you some insights from my observations of life.
Retirement and financial sustainability – no young officer ever think about the retirement plan, I just want that job. The concept of living paycheck to paycheck and a little extra overtime or off-duty to bridge the bills. I will caution you to meet with a financial adviser to plan for the future now. The sustainment of local and/or state pensions, privatization of retirements and health care for when you reach retirement age is a roll of the dice. Plan early if you don’t want to be that guy who works forever. Little strategies today will add up in the future.
Career preparation – you are faced with constant decisions on assignments, training/certifications or higher education. The days do not possess enough hours for the up and coming officer to work, live, rest and have a personal life. Now, let’s cut into some of those hours for college. This will not only keep you awake but cut into the sleep and recreational time for study. I did not bother on how to pay for it either, cut out the recreation or get an off-duty gig – less hours for you. Benjamin Franklin stated “an investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” If you are in this for the career (not a job) it is a life investment of personal sweat equity.
Life investment – I have said repeatedly that I was not a good family man, I put the job in front of family. Albeit, we all have regrets. Until you add parent to your resume, your sleepless nights have not yet begun. I have seen many who learned to balance family and work to achieve the best of both worlds. Also, I have seen several officers who could have made brilliant leaders but shied-away from the quest to be a better parent. Parenting still is the toughest job of all.
Presidential advice - President Franklin D, Roosevelt on said "I'll tell you, at night when I lay my head on my pillow, and it is often pretty late, and I think of the things that have come before me during the day and the decisions that I have made, I say to myself- well, I have done the best I could and turn over and go to sleep." If you review his presidency and the turmoil in the world he dealt with, he left us with wise advice. When you have done your best for that day, you should not have a sleepless night.
The mental strength it takes to be today’s law enforcement officer is immeasurable. When you add the personal side (family, finance, & life in general) to the mix of the pursuit of a career it can be overwhelming. Give it your best and stay strong & safe.
