For all the brave individuals, who’ve opted to put on a police uniform, I applaud you for selecting an exciting career. To say that your lives will not change dramatically would be disingenuous. Your choice to pursue law enforcement as a career path speaks volumes. Some believe that police work is a calling based on what they have experienced growing up. While experiences are divergent, universally, law enforcement officers want to help others. However, some were determined to enter law enforcement based on ulterior motives.
As expected, the law enforcement profession endows an exceedingly high societal authority upon its occupants. This power is overwhelming and can be intoxicating. Unsurprisingly, however, some individuals were bullied as youths and intentionally chose this profession to exact revenge. Others have had family members who wore the uniform and want to follow in their footsteps. Some were drawn in by watching police programs on their television. Lastly, many got into this profession by happenstance.
The future police officers learn the foundation of policing in the academy. Instructors will run them through the gauntlet of physical training and academic rigor. Those with the intestinal fortitude and intellectual prowess to endure the numerous mind games and physical pain will ultimately graduate and propel into a world of an increasing adrenaline rush. Words will not describe the accompanying pulsating feeling of power. Nevertheless, with that power comes responsibility, which some police officers never seem to clutch.
The first few months on the job will make your head spin. Depending on what community you are assigned will depend on your level of involvement. Also, the pickings regarding the person chosen to instruct you on doing your job are very slim. Either you will get the senior guy biding his time before retirement or the squared-away young officer. Nevertheless, the message is indistinguishable, “Forget what they taught you in the academy; I will teach you the right way to do police work!”
The groups of men and women you will be working with will become the most important people in your life, aside from your immediate family. To some, this new group will become an extension of your immediate family. There will be a time when you feel like talking about how your day went, and your family members won’t get it. Fortunately, the officers on your squad will, and the invitation to go out for a cocktail will follow.
Initially, socializing after work should not pose an immediate problem. Winding down and sharing can be therapeutic. In most cases, this camaraderie builds solid bonds for a high-stress occupation. Yet in some cases, addictive personalities prevail, and that innocuous drink after work may turn into a bout of inescapable alcoholism.
Drinking and law enforcement seem to go hand in hand. Not being able to “handle” your alcohol will inevitably get you harassed and harangued by your colleagues. The most critical social decision is whether to give in to the pressure, i.e., become a functioning alcoholic or remain an inexperienced social drinker. Either choice will have a lasting impression on your law enforcement career. If you up the ante and drink more, you potentially welcome a lifetime of problems. Divorce, alcoholism, insolvency, health issues, loss of jobs, driving while under the influence, and possible death are some of the downfalls. Choose to remain responsible, barring any unforeseen job-related injuries, you can look forward to a stable relationship with a significant other, decent health, and an opportunity to retire with a full pension.
As you move on with your career, many opportunities will avail themselves. Most people believe that options within law enforcement are limited. However, some agencies have a multitude of different specialties, including forensics, ballistics, arson, bomb squad, etc. Knowing what you want to get involved in is half the battle of becoming a police officer.
Promotion and specialist assignments are two of the most competitive areas of law enforcement. Only a few “unique” individuals do not care about getting promoted or attaining a specialist selection. The sign of success in law enforcement should come from your impact on the citizens you have contacted. Although, in police reality, the accurate measure of success is your rank within the predominately paramilitary organization. Titles may vary within the municipal, county, state, and federal levels.
Most police agencies require taking a test for promotion, which is probably the fairest option. Nevertheless, fewer progressive agencies would instead maintain control of the promotional process based on nepotism and cronyism.
Once promoted, the newly minted officer’s repetition of hanging out and just being one of the boys is over. The new responsibility of supervising colleagues is their primary duty. This new position can make for a difficult transition. However, what responsibility does management have to ensure that the new supervisor succeeds?
Management has the sole responsibility for preparing the new supervisor. Nevertheless, because many departments are so small and close-knit, it is taken for granted that the new supervisor is ready. The only time management becomes aware of an existing problem is when personal relationships deteriorate, and someone files a complaint. At this point, damage control must take place. Hopefully, they resolve the issue(s) and avoid litigation.
In most cases, management in smaller departments resolves their internal issues. Conversely, in larger departments, problems fester due to the many levels of bureaucracy, and ultimately lawsuits are filed. Unfortunately, the complainant will have to endure the retaliation, a hostile work environment, lack of promotion, and the possibility of termination before the lawsuit gets to court. Be mindful that once the establishment feels challenged, all bets are off, and you’d better watch your back.
There may be a few sympathetic ears and some vocal support. In most cases, you will be isolated and alone, wondering what you got yourself into and why. The old days of being happy and looking forward to working are all but over. Depression, seclusion, sleepless nights, medication, and psychological therapy may become your new reality. You probably can count on having less intimacy, arguments with family members, and possible suicidal ideations if you are married.
If you are fortunate to have saved some money, you may be able to sustain your current standard of living throughout the lengthy court process. Regrettably, your adversaries do not have a similar concern. Either the city or the state funds them. Monies are set aside for lawsuits, and the onus is on the complainant, a.k.a., “YOU,” to stay in the game. Those who have caused all the problems are seldom held accountable. You must be aware that they will attempt to wear you down and deplete your savings to challenge their authority. Who do you think you are?
You are the most critical person in your department because you question the system that wants to maintain the status quo, which does not perpetuate the change needed in law enforcement.
So what else won’t they tell you once you leave the academy? Management will never inform you that you are just a badge number to them. Yes, many will go through their careers without having severe problems with their bosses. Yet, human behavior will dictate that you will “piss off” someone; and they will attempt to exact revenge against you. A lot of the bosses are just miserable individuals. They have gotten this way by coming up through the same dysfunctional system, knowing no better. Also, they designed the system to protect the bosses and screw the worker. My view may be very cynical, but if you were to ask most police officers, especially those who are not the chosen ones, you would find that this is the overall sentiment.
You may ask yourself how these individuals can go from being your friend and drinking buddy to becoming the ultimate “jackass.” As police officers ascend to the management ranks, they want to prove their worth. Some will initiate programs that benefit the community. Others will try to please everyone. Then you have those who will listen to the decision-makers and do their bidding and attempt to keep everyone in line. A lot of these individuals are lonely and insensitive. They appear unhappy, and the only way to look relevant is to bully others. Often they were picked on when they were growing up.
Moreover, the uniform and the job are their only identity and are more important than everyone else. I believe the initial metamorphosis takes place in the police academy. The instructors make you feel unique and that the job is everything. At no time did they inform you that you are an individual. You are always to consider yourself as a part of the team. The team derives your power, and the team comes first. If and when you get on the “team,” you must perpetuate the team concept. You will undoubtedly ruin some friendships that took years to nurture. However, in your zest to make it, you will stab people in the back, and believe me, they will not forget it.
As people move up the ladder, a recurring theme is that idiots come across all races and genders. Since policing is a predominately white male profession, you will observe many others mimicking the same unethical behavior and mannerisms. You would think that as African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and women move up the ladder of success, they would have compassion and empathy for those who are still struggling. Some will remain faithful to themselves, but this rarely occurs. Each group is unique and needs highlighting independently so that overgeneralization does not happen.
African-Americans have a history of struggle regarding integration in most “white space” professions. They may suffer from “double marginality,” choosing between being responsible for their community and assimilating as police officers. For whatever reason, many choose the latter. It is rather disturbing to see this transformation due partly to the inherent racism prevalent in this criminal justice system. So why does it happen?
As previously noted, rank is the determining factor that says you have made it in law enforcement. African-American officers have to fight for any gains that they have achieved. Some will be martyrs and never get recognition. Others will get promoted because a Black body is needed to fill a spot. Please make no mistake; African-American police officers will never get the respect and admiration their white counterparts receive. Sure, you might get a police chief, who happens to be Black, but you must understand who will be pulling their strings. Is this to say that all African-Americans sell out? No, that would be irresponsible to posit such a notion. It is challenging to find a handful with a sincere conviction to stand up for what is right. However, can you blame them? It is a tough road to traverse.
One of the most perplexing groups of police officers is the Hispanics, who are trifurcated based on hue: olive skin tone, brown skin tone, or “white-passing.” Although most won’t acknowledge it, claiming, “We are Hispanic or Latino,” preferring to identify with their culture rather than their race. They suffer from similar colorism internal issues, as do African-Americans. A select group of phenotypically white police officers finesses both sides of the fence. Never one to yell discrimination or racism; they are often diligent workers who seldom complain to their superiors but empathize with other minority officers. Is this a problem? Without a doubt! There is strength in numbers. Today it’s me, and it could be you tomorrow. I cannot imagine being denied advancement or promotion and not saying something. They should do more to bring attention to internal problems. Hopefully, their next slight will be their wake-up call.
Nonetheless, I would be remiss if I did not mention that Hispanics are no different from African-American police officers when they make it to the top. Some forget where they come from and fail to do the right thing. Again, can you blame them for the tremendous pressure to succeed and retire with a good pension?
The next group is women. They should be given a lot of credit for wanting to join a sexist, racist, and homophobic profession. (Note: Those females in power almost always deny these truisms). What is so distinctive about women police officers is that they know how to band together regardless of their differences. Their ascendancy to the upper ranks of management far exceeds other groups. Fortunately for them, they stress the upward mobility of females and do not mask their feelings. They can quickly get management to listen to them and respond to their needs. However, it is unfortunate that some take on the same macho persona once in control. It is not a particularly positive trait, but they did not become police officers to look pretty for the cameras. So do not expect them to be anything other than a police officer. So are they any better than their colleagues? Some are, but then again, the law enforcement and the profession dictates how they act. One warning to all women police officers, whatever you do, please do not mingle with anyone on the job unless you plan on marrying them. If not, once you cross that line, everyone in the department will probably know. Often, these relationships don’t survive, and those involved may still have to work together.
Another group I would like to speak about is Asian officers. They come from various backgrounds but have not made it a point to become a part of the law enforcement profession in significant numbers. Often viewed as the “model minority,” we need more of their representation. One day, perhaps recruitment efforts will target their communities. Who knows?
Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not mention white males in power in this profession. To sum it up, they have a distinct advantage in all facets of the criminal justice system. The game’s rules permit them to maintain control and prosperity at all costs. Most of their bestowals come in nepotism and cronyism, making it unfair for anyone trying to enter the ranks. The only advice imparted to them is fairness leads to potential equality. Of course, having all that power can be exhilarating, but realize that integrity, morals, and values are better traits.
I expect that this commentary might offend or disappoint a few individuals. For those offended, the truth may hurt, but it is the reality for some. For those disappointed, you should feel grateful that someone has gone out on a limb to tell you their perceived truth. You decide if you want to embark upon this career. At least now, you go into this profession with your eyes wide open and make your own informed decision.
Good luck!
Reflective Thoughts 