Things We Sometimes Forget

Earlier this week I was the keynote speaker at an academy graduation in Southern California. While doing my research for the presentation, it occurred to me how sometimes we become so wrapped up in our careers that we tend to forget some of the things that we really enjoy about being a police officer. So with your indulgence I would like to share portions of my speech with you.

"Now I would like to address these remarks directly to class 135.

Why are you here? Why did you just spend 6 months of your valuable time socializing with the Recruit Training Officer's of the Academy staff?

NOW I HAVE QUESTIONS: Was it worth the many sleepless nights wondering if you made the right decision in choosing law enforcement as a career? Was it worth getting up at O-Dark 30 for your physical training and classes? Was it worth doing push-ups and pull-ups until you felt your arms were going to fall off? Was it worth giving up any social life you may have had prior to the academy?

Well you tell me, and let me hear it - WAS IT WORTH IT?

You bet it was. You demonstrated the TENACITY, INITIATIVE and GUTS in sticking it out during the hard times when you felt like there was really no tomorrow and all for what? For the PRIVILEGE of wearing this (pointing to the badge).

In the classroom we discussed issues regarding the tarnishing of the badge and you all know how passionate I am about our badge. I want to take a few minutes to reiterate what the badge stands for.

The badge that each of you are going to receive tonight is the culmination of all of your hard earned efforts. It is something you should be very, very proud of. But remember, it is a privilege. It is not a right. As you will recall, many candidates started out in this Academy; but only the strong remain.

Let me tell you a little bit about this badge. This is a symbol that is very special to law enforcement officers, and it is not something that we take lightly. The story behind the badge is that in ancient times when gladiators went off to their wars, they all carried a shield and used it for protection. Protection against the striking forces of evil, protection to save their bodies, to save their friends. With all the shields together, they could form barricades, which was another form of protection. If a warrior was hurt, the shield could be used as a stretcher to carry their warrior off the battlefield to safety.

So you see, there is more to it than just the shape. There is something behind it. There is something it really stands for. This badge or shield, whatever we wish to call it, demonstrates that we, as Police Officers, are now given the responsibility for protection and safety of our citizens who rely on us.

Paraphrasing an ode written by George H. Savord, a former Police Chief of Cypress:

This badge started out as a piece of lifeless metal; it was stamped, shaped and inscribed with the words, Police Officer.

Now it is yours. A symbol of Americanism, law, order, justice and freedom.

The Badge lives. It is a courageous defender. Possession of it transforms you from citizen to sentinel. Guardian of the safety and welfare of others.

Display it with dignity. Wear it with pride. Treasure it, polish it, and keep it gleaming. The reflection of the badge is one of hope, peace and security.

Respect your badge and others will too.

I have been asked to give a couple of words of wisdom regarding what you should expect, and I guess this is due to the length of time I have been in the business. I'll give you a few vignettes.

One thing that I can tell you is "the only certainty about law enforcement is the uncertainty". Where else can you have a job where you don't know what to expect from day to day, minute to minute? One minute you're riding in a car doing nothing, and the next minute you're flying by the seat of your pants in a high-speed pursuit. Where else can you get out there and work and help people in their daily lives? Where else can you be appreciated so much by citizens? And feared so much by the bad guys? Where else can you go and have fun interrogating the crooks, get them to cop out and tell you about all the stuff they didn't want to tell you to begin with?

It's a fun job! But like any other job, it's what you make it. You can make it happy or you can sit around and just complain about everything. Everyone up here has them. There are 5%ers, or I call them WSMs (whining, sniveling, malcontents). Don't let these people be the ones to influence you when you're out there on the streets. You be your own person. You be the person that is going to go out there and work hard and create something. You are the person who's going to provide a service.

Remember, in my opinion, you are not a public servant. You are a police officer who provides a service to the public.

Now, as far as making arrests? Yeah, you'll make the arrest, but it will only be about 10 percent of your time, depending on the size of your agency. The other 90 percent plus or minus is going to be providing the service to the community. I believe in a philosophy that "no call is too small". If it's important enough for that person to call you, then it's important enough for you to give the best possible service to that individual. I don't care if it's a barking dog call or a little old lady that's got little green men running in her attic, or if it's a homicide call, shots fired, whatever it may be, you give the best possible service. That's your job and that's what's expected of you.

You're going to be out there dealing with a lot of negatives, and you have to learn to change those negatives into a positive. Remember what you are doing - you're helping others. We are working in a negative environment when you're taking a burglary call, taking a robbery call, someone in an accident, whatever it could be. You turn it around and make it a positive in how you are handling the situation and help these people get on with their lives. They're looking for you to help, and you're there. It's great that you are there.

One of the most important things that I can say is to maintain your sense of humor. You gotta keep laughing. You can't take yourself too seriously. You can take the job seriously, but never yourself too seriously. This job does not have a conscience. It is going to eat you and spit you out. It doesn't care who you are. So if you can't laugh at yourself once in a while, you're in trouble. Always remember what brought you to law enforcement to begin with. Always remember your passion. Your will. Your desires. Maintain those traits throughout your entire career. It's easy to do. You worked hard for this position. You worked hard to get that badge. Enjoy it! You are a special few.

Is this job dangerous? Yeah, it's dangerous. So are a lot of other jobs. We're not the only ones out there. Think about the astronauts on top of those big fuel tanks that go up warp speed into the atmosphere. That's dangerous. You betcha. Everything is relative. But you've been given tools to know exactly what you can and cannot do. You've been given these tools by this elite staff over here. The Golden West Criminal Justice Training Center Academy is the best training facility that we have, otherwise my peers up here wouldn't be sending you here and I wouldn't be teaching there. They've given you the tools to know what you are doing. To know your abilities. These abilities will tell you exactly what you can and can't do. I don't expect to have you running into a firefight with a baseball bat. On the other side of the coin, I don't expect you to be so paranoid of what's going on out there that you're going to do a low crawl up to a bicycle stop. If you work within your abilities, hopefully, you'll have a nice long career.

One thing you will experience is frustration during your first year because you will not understand why you can't do things as well as other Officers. First of all, slow down and realize that these other Officers started out the same way you did, only now they have more experience under their belt. So give it time. Be a sponge and soak up everything around you.

I remember an old-timer telling me, "It will take about five years for you to make a pimple on a good cop's butt." And that about says it all.

Remember, no man is an island. You didn't do this by yourself. You've got a lot of support back here from all of these people. Your spouses, friends, families, moms, dads, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, whoever it may be. They were here for you. Remember them at all times. When you're on the job, be the best cop you can be. When you're off the job, you be the best friend, the best husband, and the best wife. Communicate. Their life is just as important as yours. Remember that. There are a lot of divorces in law enforcement because people don't communicate. Because Officers start thinking they are more important than everyone else. It ain't so. You worked hard to get this position, but these folks put up with a lot while you were doing it. You probably weren't the happiest camper going through this academy, but these people stood by you. Remember that! You didn't do it by yourself. Much as we would like to think we do a lot of things by ourselves. This isn't one of them.

This is just the start of your career. You are going to learn much more than you ever thought possible. You're going to meet so many different types of people. You're going to have great stories to tell your grandkids. Keep your passion, your principles, your integrity and professionalism. It's yours to take advantage of. It's yours to have fun with. Just remember - it's yours because of the privilege of wearing this badge.

Have a great career and enjoy the ride!!! Good luck and God bless!”