After nearly forty years in municipal law enforcement service, I have made some observations. I have often used the statement of “reality orientation” for those special moments – the cross-roads or learning moments in life. Now that I am retired from public service, I want to share some of my life observations from ‘Policeland’ .
It is not the job that wears you down. Before you scoff at me and retort with shift work, court appearances that interrupt vacations, or even the real-world dangers of job; it is the ‘politics’ that will wear you down and sometimes disenfranchise some to the point of leaving the vocation.
Now, politics is viewed as the governance over governmental body or the sparring between two parties for the governing rights. Bottom line it is power, and henceforth here lies the rub. This is not just in any para-military organization but also in faith systems, fraternal organizations and other portions of life.
Examples of the rub
As an upcoming officer or deputy, you think you have the seniority and moxy to get that beat assignment or being selected for a special assignment. But, then comes along the junior officer who is ‘tied-in’ with the brass and they get the job. Now, we all have terms for this phenomenon such as he or she was a kiss-up or they had a power broker. We all have stories and the names, most not meant to be used in polite company. But it happens and will still happen – you then become jaded to the process.
That detective who has all of the cherry-picked cases handed to them to make him or her shine. Oh yes, politics also happens in ‘Detectiveland’ whether it is sweet cases or the selective assignment to that squad you wanted. Not selected, then your productivity spirals down - why bother?
Promotions and politics
There is no way I could prepare a young officer for the internal battles when promotions come into play. Countless times, I have observed what was once a great professional and personal relationship between academy classmates dissolve over the quest for stripes on the sleeve or bars on the collars. Pity that in reality we should select our best candidates based on knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the job. In reality, personalities with ties to above or add in external helpers - such as council members is what often makes the deal. Who benefits from a poor selection for the promotion – nobody.
What is truly eye opening are the chiefs of police searches. First and foremost, read the job announcement before you even apply. When the qualifications have the caveat of ‘life experience that is commensurate for this job’ – do not waste your time applying. This means some council member has a nephew who is not qualified for the job but the announcement positions him for the job. The nephew needs a raise, since he does not have the qualifications, he will take whatever lesser amount that will be offered. The new chief will be indebted to council (they have power over him) and will later haunt all involved with this appointment. What really happens when you hire a cheap chief? The morale of the department will drop, productivity will drop proportionally and even the public will pick up this clue. Due to the cheap chief’s lack of training, real leadership experience there will be a bad decision. The moneys saved will be a fainting memory after the attorneys’ clean-up the legal messes and quagmires.
Reality of Life
It is not the years on the job, its dangers or even the aging process – it’s the politics. The political realities of police-life that bears down on its officers weighs more than most ever fathom. From day one at the academy you have had to struggle for survival – keep the instructors and FTO’s off of you. I have mentioned the quest from everything from beat assignments, special unit assignment and promotions – they all have their own dynamics. Matters not how bright and shiny your record may be, who has the ‘pull’ from outside of the process gets the nod often times. Many have asked me where is the justice in this. If you are seeking a fair shake in life, this is vocation is not the place. Want to see fair – it is where you take your kids to see the animals and get cotton candy. Not trying to sound jaded -but I have been navigating these waters for years. When I ‘retired from public service’ it was a weight off my shoulders. I recall a martial arts instructor who would make his students wear a backpack and he would then place weights or rocks in the pack for their workout. The extra weight to carry made them stronger. The last few months, I felt the rocks come out of my pack and now no load.
I am not down on my life long vocation – it was my true calling and enjoyed it. There were times where I hated it and it was some of the scenarios I mentioned above. Yet, this occupation is fraught with political perils and obstacles. If you are new at this, you now have a general idea of what to expect and hopefully how to face these rocks placed on you. Be honest with yourself and never compromise your ethics and spirit and you will make it.
William L. Harvey | Chief
William L. "Bill" Harvey is a U.S. Army Military Police Corps veteran. He has a BA in criminology from St. Leo University and is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute of the University of Louisville (103rd AOC). Harvey served for over 23 years with the Savannah (GA) Police Department in field operations, investigations and completed his career as the director of training. Served as the chief of police of the Lebanon City Police Dept (PA) for over seven years and then ten years as Chief of Police for the Ephrata Police Dept (PA). In retirement he continues to publish for professional periodicals and train.
