PoliceLink

If you were to ask your friends, relatives or co-workers the question, “What do you think defines a persons’ success?” you would receive a myriad of responses. But almost inevitably, there will be reference to financial achievements and personal wealth as well as reference to the level of position risen to within an organization. How many times have you heard someone being described as a “highly successful business person” solely on the amount of personal wealth they’ve acquired?

I remember a national  news magazine lauding the president of Enron as successful prior to the discovery of his financial manipulation and corruption. Yet, financial wealth and position seem to be standard measures of success in our society.      My question to you is this: “How do we measure the success of a law enforcement officer?”

After all, law enforcement salaries aren’t exactly conducive to European vacations and Ferrari convertibles. And does rising to the exalted rank of chief, captain or supervisor automatically mean success? Even those who have spent only a minimal amount of time working for a law enforcement agency have seen unfortunate promotions based not on merit but rather because of political influence, nepotism or expedience.

When we consider how to define success for a law enforcement officer, we should toss out the usual criteria and instead use a different set of standards – the standards of integrity, compassion and courage – or what I’ve come to call a “Legacy of Honor.” I recently attended two retirement celebrations. Both men had achieved equal rank as special assignment supervisors and  both had completed approximately 25 years of service. But there was one major difference between them. One chose to retire to enjoy his post law enforcement life; the other had been given a choice to either retire or face departmental charges of serious misconduct related to financial improprieties.

The amount of money involved was negligible, but he had compromised one of the most important values of a law enforcement officer – his integrity. By his actions, he erased the accomplishments gained over his 25 year career. There was a sadness among the sparse crowd of family, friends and coworkers who had gathered for his retirement party and a lot of us in that room realized that once a police officer has surrenders integrity, it can never be recaptured.

It was hard not to compare this gathering to the one we had attended the week before where officers from every rank stepped up to the podium and told a story which illustrated this man’s positive impact on their lives. Family and friends listened with pride. It was truly a celebration of a successful law enforcement officer – a person who embodied the principals of leadership and honor.

He was retiring with his “Legacy of Honor” intact. A police officer whose life embodies compassion, integrity and courage has  achieved one of life’s greatest accomplishments. That person has had a positive impact on the lives of others. Not long ago, I was present at the funeral of a man who had been a mentor of mine.

He had chosen to spend his entire 32 year police career as a patrol officer. He never felt the need to achieve rank because he believed that he could enter and influence the lives of the most people while serving in that capacity. Hundreds of mourners attended the services for this humble man and as I listened to the heartfelt eulogies it was clear that he had profoundly touched the lives of so many people. He too embodied the “Legacy of Honor.”



Randy Sutton has been a police officer for 32 years – ten with the Princeton Borough Police Dept in New Jersey and 22 with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Dept. in Nevada where he serves as a field lieutenant. He’s the author of several books, including “TRUE BLUE Police Stories by Those who have Lived Them.” He can be reached through his website at www.policingwithhonor.com.

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I didn't know that Randy had retired. He is a great guy and the epitome of what LEO's should strive to be. I certainly wish him the best.

Integrity and honor is all there is in this job.  Period.  As it has been said time and time again, we do not do this sometimes thankless job for money, power or personal gain.  We do it so our families are safe and our surrounding communities are safe.  My hats off to all men and women who do it for the good.  THANK YOU ALL!!