February Letter From The Editor

Welcome to a new era. Yes, it is. Every four years, provided America gets a new Presidential administration, it’s a new era. While we can pull some clues from what the new administration will hold for law enforcement support, grants, etc., we don’t truly know until it’s underway and we see how all of the different pieces of government will work together... or not. As we are just looking at the beginning of President Biden’s administration, a more closely balanced Congress and a perfectly (for now) balanced Senate, it ought to prove interesting to see how things will flesh out. Hopefully we’ll see less condemnation from political leadership regarding law enforcement performance and greater support for the challenges we face. Hopefully we won’t see the word “defund” used as much and certainly not in conjunction with “reform.” But reform we should; it should be ongoing.

Law enforcement should always be looking for ways we can improve and evolve. Criminals do and crime does. We have to adjust accordingly. I don’t know of a single officer or deputy who wouldn’t be happy to hand off appropriate work to social workers, mental health professionals, etc. The key word there is “appropriate.” Various segments of government service providers can probably prevent some criminal activity and prevent or deter some bad actors. Properly leveraged, those social workers and mental health professionals can reduce the workload for front line officers and deputies. That said, such reduction of workload doesn’t justify a reduction in funding or staffing. For decades, law enforcement agencies have been underfunded and, as a result, understaffed. Now is the time for elected officials to closely examine budgeting and workload. Absolutely determine what funds can be directed toward increasing social and mental health services, but don’t even consider taking those funds from law enforcement.

As we move into the 21st century, now is the time to realize that training budgets are woefully inadequate. DOUBLE THEM. Double the time in scenario-based training evaluating use of force decisions and action/reaction times. Double the number of times your officers go to the range. Double the classroom time for in-service. Add incentives for exercise time and fitness increases. Add incentives for continuing education and college degrees. Create a mentoring program and incentivize that. Create an evaluation system for your Field Training Officers to increase their proficiency and efficiency.

Chiefs... Sheriffs... Superintendents... now is the time to make your case to those who control your budgets. Now is the time to stand up for your frontline troops and insure you have what you need to provide them what they need. Now is the time to make the politicians and purse-string holders understand that cutting budget doesn’t do anyone any good and only increases potential liability. Now is the time to make them see the light: increasing investment in recruiting, training and retention equals reduction in liability. Now is the time to counter the stories saturating the “news” via the mainstream media. Now is the time to share the great stories coming out of your jurisdictions that show the community connections your officers make and the human-interest stories most politicians never get to hear.  Make them heard.

Rather than being worried about or afraid of the word “reform,” embrace it and build your case around it. Present it as something you do continually and not just in response to public concern. Present yourself and your agency as being held back by a lack of funding and show how you’re eager to lead the charge in reform... if they’ll just give you the budget. Turn the tables and change the narrative. Make it benefit your troops rather than being some political movement to be feared. Lead strong from the front.

Stay safe.