Poetry or Rhetoric On the Wall?

Through my many years of teaching across this land, every time I visit a police agency, I take note of things. One of which is that I always seek out their mission statement and core values posters that are always prominently displayed on their station’s walls.  Now, most people never even bother to read these things. Most do not even know they exist. Traditionally, you are forced to read them when you graduate the police academy. Some of you are probably forced to reread them every time your department is facing the re-accreditation process.

So what do all these grandioso notices, if not near novelettes, mean to you?  I challenge you to stop and read a few in your travels. Through the years I have documented most all and there is always a central theme throughout. First of all, this agency is the best agency there is, period. We are a sparkly one that others measure up to. Really? Note that rarely is constant improvement mentioned.  We pride ourselves in service to our citizens and our business community. Occasionally, there are one or two talking points of outreach to all the populous and inclusiveness — we treat all with respect. That is nice to make all feel good. Some will rave over their  service delivery. How they will always strive to make this the best community to live and work in. All nice, no offense, and pretty much all are boilerplate stanzas.

So far pretty nice job and all are happy. Right? Go back and revisit these closely and look for the internal customers – you. How many times have you seen a mission statement and core values that actually mentioned how they are supposed to treat one another? How are the employees regarded as the agency’s biggest strength and asset? Few show appreciation for staff, pity. As a chief or sheriff, you are fortunate if you have a full staff and if so, it is rare nowadays. How many agencies’ are struggling with high turnover rates and staffing shortages? Reward and appreciate the staff you have.

I have seen mission statements and core values posted throughout the entire building. Seen them at weapon cleaning stations at the range, in the booking areas and  nearly everywhere except above the urinals. The more you post them does not add any veracity to them. These are mere words on a wall. The best question - are you living up to them? Are you applying them, and if not why? Granted, I have been to some agencies that were so toxic they should be required to post hazardous material placards on their entrance doors.

So, as you meander down the halls, you are subjected to this grandioso display of verbiage of what you know is not true. These writings could be classified as fiction at best. I strongly recommend that if you ever get into a position of management, professional standards or a chief; consider revisiting  or rewriting these statements- but please include your staff ! Be sure to mention and encourage good treatment towards all your employees. Reminder, of the agencies struggling with staffing, what are you doing to retain? Recognition and proper treatment are a great start to a retention program.

What are you doing to treat your employees properly is more than simple words on the wall. There is a need to realize these words within the culture of the department. Just for a moment, stop and revisit on how we treat one another. Does your  management team and supervisors treat staff equitably?  I once had a sheriff tell  me that he was the most important person in his agency. I countered his bold statement, that basically you are living on your past. Your department’s future is being created by the next young deputy walking up to somebody's home to offer them service. In my eyes, the most important staff member today is that young deputy that is on a call for service and says, “ma'am how can I help you”? The sheriff did not like that because again he obviously was enamored with himself, but you are only as good as the last call. I do not care how great your department is in your eyes. Your support to staff and your service history is the measure.  If the next call is bad and you must do a press conference to explain bad police interactions or behavior, the past is forgotten by most while watching the evening news.  Everything behind you is gone with the news tapes of wrath. 

So, back to the core values. If  you insist upon standing on your history, think again. You can have the greatest sports team most wins but when was the last time you won the championship.  The analogy for law enforcement and the NFL often stands for ‘not for long’ if you do not improve.  Some of you might think that I am just spouting off about something is inane as a poster in a frame. Your actions as a leader are what puts the meaning into that poster.  I do not care how much you proclaim what a wonderful agency it is. Every day when you walk into your shift you have got to prove it all over again, yesterday is old news.  The respect that your officers will have for you is earned and it can also be lost. That respect that officers give your rank is granted by the hierarchical rules. You as the person wearing the uniform and rank, well you have got to earn it, every day. Stop and think if something bad would happen to you and one of your staff members had to write your epitaph or deliver your eulogy?  What would they say about you, he wrote a great mission statement but did not live up to it?  Go out and make this a good department by you being that leader that everybody wants to work for. It is more than words on the wall; it is actions both seen and unseen.