One of the rights of passage in a police career is when an officer goes to the rank of sergeant. You are no longer one of the troops. You are separated by three stripes. Thanks to those three stripes a lot of learning must occur quickly for you to be successful. I am not one to tell you to read a stack of books to become a successful street supervisor. The best wisdom I have gleaned for those old savvy ones has become nuggets of management in my classes. Now I have to share...
Zebras and Stripes
When I made sergeant with my former department, the freshly promoted sergeant had to ride with all of the senior sergeants on their watch. Such time spent was good on the job training which included some mentoring and intimidation. I had ridden a shift or two with all but one. He was the old cantankerous sergeant that all respected and feared. The day came when I was to ride with him. I came in, did my paperwork and waited. Finally, I walked over to the desk he was sitting at and he told me to go check my uniform and come back to tell him what I see. Huh? So, I did, went back to the mirror - nothing. Came back to see him and he told me. "Look at you; you have got lots of stripes now. A zebra has lots of stripes but he is just an ass. Don't let the stripes go to your head or you will be an ass too." Lesson point here was to be yourself and not become something you are not. You were promoted for what you are and are capable of being; so don't disappoint us and turn into something in the wild kingdom. This sergeant had the nickname possum of all things.
Find a new interest
When I made buck sergeant in the US Army MP Corps I was sent to see the company First Sergeant that afternoon. He was soon to be promoted to Command Sergeant Major and later inducted in the MP Hall of Fame; one of the finest men I have ever shared time and conversations with. First Sergeant Gaddy brought me in for some of his wisdom of being a NCO. He told me that young sergeants always harp on haircuts, uniforms and shoe shines. These are the easy things of life and everyone will know you are young and inexperienced. "Find something worthwhile to direct your troops. Leadership is 10% telling (directions) and 90% checking (inspections) to see if the entire mission is completed." Lesson point here is not to get wrapped up in petty things but find something of substance to lead and guide those under your direction. Hooah! (it's an Army thing)
Specialized units and taters
I had the privilege to serve as a detective-sergeant. Yes, if you get to go to "Detectiveland" or the land of cheap suits, big guns and bad coffee, you find this is the most demanding of them all. Detectives, or any special assignment group, have that certain flash about them. A squad of detectives can make or break your career but they are hard to control at times. When I was trying to learn my leadership style there, an old wise detective-sergeant popped in one afternoon. He told me that supervising detectives is like holding mashed potatoes in the palm of your hand. "The harder you squeeze them, the less you hold." Lesson here is that specialized units often need latitude given to them that you do not normally give a street officer. Rest in peace Coy. Keep it safe on the other side.
Thanks for the Irish
The night before I departed for my new job, I was sent off in style. My Emerald Society (the Police Emerald Society of South East Georgia) gave me a going away party that was a grand one indeed. I think some still speak of this night with hallowed breaths. Before I left one my best friends in life grabbed me to talk. Sgt. Lindsay Rouse told me that he had seen me go up the ranks and now to a chief. But he reminded me of what he was told when he made sergeant and it was applicable to me that night in my change of careers. "Remember when you took the job, it was to be a copper and never forget that. For if I hear that you have, I will call you up and remind in my special way" (I feared bodily harm here). Lesson point here is that we must not forget the essence of the job. No set of stripes should take you away from the obligation to protect and serve. But in Lindsay's eyes, never forget you are now to care for your officers as well as lead them. Thanks Lindsay. The next round is on me.
Reflections
I am not one to make levity of writers; there are some great books on leadership and supervision. Nor am I one to scoff at training; I still teach to this day. But when the time comes for you to sew on those stripes learn from those around you and those who mentored you. After all, they helped make you what you are so they must have been pretty smart themselves. Learn from your mentors in life and please pass on the knowledge to the next generation. Teach and train like lives depend on it... because they do.
