PoliceLink

What do you think?  Do you feel that kids should look up to you? If so, what do you do in uniform that makes you a role model? Do you do things out side work that you would want area kids to do, like Church, Masons, ...? Do you feel you have the respect of the community because of who you are, or for what you do?

I think Policeman are role models. I really respect family, and love to see officers out with their familys on days off. I think Police officers should stand out in the community.

I just want to see you thoughts on this topic. You might disagree with me on some things, I just want to see how other Policeman feel about their roles, and how they feel we should stand in the community.

Maybe when I first started Back in the 70's I think kids did look up to us, but not now maybe some still do , but not many now days Kids are different  they only care about themselfs and what it does for them what they get out of it  but what do I know my kids are grown and I and just and old cop

I believe that we should act in such a manner as to be worthy of being role models.  Respect is earned, not  demanded.  LEO's should be the good example and let the mopes be the horrible warnings.

I have news for you guys. ANYONE in ANY kind of uniform is a role model.

I went to my son's school conference today and while I was in civilian attire you could still tell I was in the Navy (severe military haircut, boots, a Seabee ball cap with my third class petty officer insignia on it.)

The kids were excitedly asking me if I was a Navy SEAL. I said No, I'm a Seabee... there's a difference. For right now, you need to listen to your teacher. He has important stuff he has to say to you. (Looked at the teacher.... he was a miserable balding middle aged potbellied scruffy looking character who probably wished to be home drinking a beer)

The reality and the bottom line is in that uniform, EVERYONE is going to be looking at you. Either favorably or not. Despite feelings on both ends of the spectrum by putting on the uniform you are going to draw attention to yourself, period. That puts you in a perfect position to be a role model. And that means conducting yourself in a professional manner.

The fact that you and I are competing against big-dollar athletes and famous celebrities for "role-model-ism" does not lessen our obligation to bring nothing but our best character to the table. I have always felt that our priorities are skewed if not backwards. The fact that kids are paying more favorable attention to filthy rich and spoiled rotten celebs is a good indicator of this. Nonetheless we can still be a positive influence and a force for good so long as we do our best to go above and beyond the call of duty. IMHO we pay the cops and the military too little for going into harms way and we pay too much to rock stars and baseball players to take drugs and make fools of themselves.

In retrospect are you able to stand up straight, look in the mirror and say "I helped my fellow man today"? If so then you are a role model.

My two cents.

This is a great topic in an era where a lot of younger people look up to those with a lot of money and face time. 

Conster74, I think you hit the nail right on the head as you mentioned all who wear the uniform of a law enforcement professional and our great military are role models.  I couldn’t agree more. 

I believe this is as a result of the incredible daily accomplishments by these men and women all over the world. Most importantly is the fact these professionals go about their daily routines leading by example and showing how things should be accomplished by their actions rather than by their mouths like many of the pro athletes and entertainers.

I think the more people we put in the system, the more respect we either lose or gain. That's in no fault of ours! So many people walk around claiming to be victims, and we end up looking like the bad guys to them because they put themselves in that situation. This includes kids as well as adults.  That's why we get stories of Officers being pelted with M&M's, and locally, a beer bottle(full) being thrown at the Officer.

Taffy says ...

I'm a hambone on this one. My 6 year old thinks I'm a superhero. He thinks you guys are too. He says high and hugs Police Officers when he sees them here in town. He knows that the Police are the good guys. I'm pretty sure he'd even make some of you tough old farts grin. For an autistic boy to get it is pretty cool. I don't tell him this stuff, I think my 15 year old step-sons do. They are very much a part of the "Me" generation. Don't get me wrong, they are great guys, but they fit in real well with the teenagers I see all over the place. Still it looks to me like they have incorporated what I've tried so hard to teach them over the last seven years. When I told them I was standing Guard at the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in St. Paul tomorrow with our department Honor Guard, they thought it was great and wanted to show up to take pictures to show their friends. I don't know if I am going to ever be called a role model for the kids in my community, but I have to try for mine. I feel I have to try and make a difference to them so they become good men. I make sure they know about the dignity of others and to be considerate to everyone. I taught them to hold the door for a lady, because it is proper and respectful to do so. They know the Pledge of Allegiance and they respect the heros in our armed forces that are fighting around the world to protect us all. I don't know if my youngest will ever really get it all, but he and his older step-brothers are on their way to being fine gentlemen. I'd like to think I had a big role in how they turn out. So, if I can be the role model that they are learning to emmulate, I could settle for that. No doubt.

You are a great role model to you sons, God bless you my friend!

Taffy says ...

I'm a hambone on this one. My 6 year old thinks I'm a superhero. He thinks you guys are too. He says high and hugs Police Officers when he sees them here in town. He knows that the Police are the good guys. I'm pretty sure he'd even make some of you tough old farts grin. For an autistic boy to get it is pretty cool. I don't tell him this stuff, I think my 15 year old step-sons do. They are very much a part of the "Me" generation. Don't get me wrong, they are great guys, but they fit in real well with the teenagers I see all over the place. Still it looks to me like they have incorporated what I've tried so hard to teach them over the last seven years. When I told them I was standing Guard at the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in St. Paul tomorrow with our department Honor Guard, they thought it was great and wanted to show up to take pictures to show their friends. I don't know if I am going to ever be called a role model for the kids in my community, but I have to try for mine. I feel I have to try and make a difference to them so they become good men. I make sure they know about the dignity of others and to be considerate to everyone. I taught them to hold the door for a lady, because it is proper and respectful to do so. They know the Pledge of Allegiance and they respect the heros in our armed forces that are fighting around the world to protect us all. I don't know if my youngest will ever really get it all, but he and his older step-brothers are on their way to being fine gentlemen. I'd like to think I had a big role in how they turn out. So, if I can be the role model that they are learning to emmulate, I could settle for that. No doubt.

BUMP! You ARE da MAN! Good to see that you have such a super relationship with your sons.

ded2bred says ...

Taffy says ...

Sounds like a good man doing a great job.  I wish more people felt this way.

10-4 that

I'm with ya Taffy... I have a 5 yoa with asbergers and he's already kind of the same way! 

Aside from that...  I feel like a small % of kids out there are SORRY! But the majority are good kids. Thankfully, in my area, most of the kids still say "yes sir" and "no sir" and, although they pull some dumb stunts just like I did, they generally turn out pretty damn good. The bad thing is that most of the ones we deal with are the sorry ones.....that kind of colors our judgement of their generation as a whole.

It's nice when i go to the schools and notice that I DONT know that many of the students from work related incidents..... that's a good thing!

There's something to be said for living in rural areas!!!

It is my belief that, via our position in society and the powers with which we are entrusted, we are role models for our communities. That's the main reason IMHO that the media bashes us with such fervor whenever one of us messes up or crosses the line.

I know im not supposed to be posting on this but please dont yell at me, I just thought I should say that you guys are role models, and I personally and my friends look up to you and have the greatest respect for what you do. Thats the way it should be but there are stupid people out there.

ilegworldchamp says...

"...he is expected to have the answer to everyone's problems and never make mistakes."

Wow, that is so very true. Do you think even we do that to ourselves? Really. How often do we expect it of ourselves and our brothers and sisters in blue? The truth is that the opinions of Police Officers matters more to me and I am always trying to live up to the highest expectations of all of you. And I have to be honest, I expect more too. I know we are human, I know we goof up, me mostly, but I do in fact expect Police Officers to know more and to be the best of the best.

charper says ...

I don't think that anyone should look up to me because of what I do, but will because of who I am.  I am a role model and anyone who doesn't want that responsibility shouldn't be in this job.  Officers are trusted with the most valuable things people own and if they won't do the right thing when no one is looking, then our system will be a complete failure. 

As for kids looking up to police officers, there is nothing we can do for kids that have criminal parents.  Every child grows up believing that they are living the "norm" and if normal is hating someone for their race, religion or choice of career, then kids will follow the parents lead. It's up to us to remember that there are still more "good" kids than "bad".

Charper, I respectfully disagree with your opening statement. I was taught that I SHOULD look up to Police officers because they were there for me if I needed them. Because of who they were helped, all my childhood contacts with police officers were enlightning to say the least. I admit, from a young age all I wanted was to be a police officer.

I went thru the peer pressure stage, as all kids do, you hate your mon, you hate your dad, you hate the Police, but deep inside everyone knew they didn't. I know what your intentions were when you wrote that, and they were admirable, maybe I was just raised alot longer ago than you were.  Anyone over 21 was called sir or ma'am. I'd never think of saying to a police officer some of the things I've had uttered at me. If the police officer didn't correct me and get my attention really fast, it would be dealt with when I got home.

As for the origional part of the post, some excellent thoughts here. I do believe one should get as involved as shift work allows. Masonic Lodges, Lions Clubs, Rotory Clubs, Jaycees.  Coaching or helping coach ball, Boy Scouts. It's really tough to fit stuff like that in, but maybe we're missing the boat by not doing it a little more. Too many parents now go to kids games, but don't get involved.

We are ,absolutely, role models and, unfortunately as a sign of the time, NOT just for children

We must be mentally awake and morally straight.

We must have clear internal compasses.

We must be able to resist the greatest of temptations.

We must never lose our sprit of compassion for others and the human condition.

We must never shirk from our duty or lose sight of our mission statements, in my case "A Tradition of Service"

We must do this from before we hire on until we die

We must talk the talk and walk the walk

I expect this of myself,, not because I have to,, but because it is the right thing to do,, and inside I want to. You cant buy this with money... you cant get it form someone else. It is something that lives inside each of us.

I still think society expects this from us, ... no WANTS this from us... in a world of uncertainty, chaos, and lack of direction I believe people look to those things in life that they can trust will be fair to them...policework, as an institution in the US, (I had to qualify this) ,is something most people trust.

You pay for this honor... with your body,, with your life. The money we are remunerated can never pay for the cost that policework extolls on each of us. For me.. the worst day in patrol was better than any other job there ever was. I realize now that Im retired that if I ever went back I would be a better policeman today... for I understand what its like NOT to be a policeman anymore.

Live each day like its your last.

Be the change you hope for in the world (Ghandi)