PoliceLink

"I am very pleased to learn you have chosen Law Enforcement as a career. There is no more honorable profession.

I would like to take this opportunity to give you my thoughts on how to survive the career you have chosen. You can take them for what you think they are worth.



As an officer, when all is said and done, all we really have is our integrity. Never, under any circumstances compromise it.



If it is not free or discounted to the general public it is not free or discounted to you. Not even a cup of coffee. Draw the line at a glass of water and never cross it. I don't care if it's acceptable practice, don't do it.



The three things most likely to get you into trouble are Booze, Bills, and Boy/ Girlfriends. Use alcohol sparingly, live within your means and be cautious in your involvement with any member of your department. Remember if it does not turn out to be a match and marriage made in heaven you may have to work with that person for the next 30 years. That would be difficult to do under the best of circumstances. Oh yeah, never have sexual contact with anyone while you are on duty, ever.



Treat everyone with respect and courtesy especially the scumbags. You don't need to be tough just smart. Always give people more than they expect. If you are investigating a burglary and you can see the perp left no prints behind, dust for them anyway. It will only take a few minutes, make a big mess and the citizen will be happy. Note: sometimes ya might just get lucky. In short always go the extra mile it's worth it. Get off your ass, get out of your car and get to know the people you serve, especially the business owners and the kids.



The community policing concept is bull****. This term tends to give politicians and police administrators the warm fuzzies. In reality good cops have always worked that way. Community policing is an attitude, not a method, adopt it and find a way to make your own. Look for potential problems and solve them before they manifest themselves.

Forget looking the bad guys in the eye, watch their hands. That is where most all threats will come from.



Become proficient with your sidearm and practice every month. Practice does not make perfect but perfect practice makes perfect. Do it right and often. Learn to think and move tactically. Learn how to pie a corner correctly and all that other high speed low drag stuff, it really works. It keeps you alive and convinces the bad guys they can't win. Always carry a flash light, even on day shift.



Sex and violence, you can't enjoy one if you don't survive the other!



Always wear your body armor, even if it is 110 degrees and 100% humidity, wear it, no exceptions, ever.



God gave you two eyes, two ears and one mouth. Keep the latter shut and the former open because right now you dont know S**t and you have a lot to learn. Listen to those that know. But most of all use the common sense God gave you and trust your instincts.



Learn to write good reports. You will be known and judged by the reports you write.



Yeah I know when you have an MDT and CAD you don't need to keep a notebook. Bulls**t, do it anyway. If you keep good notes they will someday save your ass.



Loyalty and Duty above all but Honor. Be loyal to your department and know and discharge your duties in a professional manner. However, never put either loyalty or duty ahead of your honor as an officer. Never do anything to compromise your honor and you will be respected and do well. "

I'll add one; it's advice I always give to rookies. Treat each person you meet like you would want an officer to treat your mother. Until given reason to treat them differently.

Make sure you go home safe at the end of shift.

Don't take the job home with you.

Excellent advice for new officers and a good refresher to those of us who have been in the profession for a while.

Well said, Thank you.

bump

Great advice!  I wish I had known some of it when I started.

Eddy

Excellent advice PS. I was blessed to have two very good FTO's but not all rookies have it that good. This advice will be very helpful if they heed it.

GOOD JOB PS wish you were around when I started would have saved me some heart/head aches

AWESOME........ This is a GREAT outline of attitude and behavior for success......!

That was very well put.. excellent advice!

I will use them, thanks PS.

Good advice, thanks!

OOOPPPPSSSSSS!!!!!           Great advise. Wish someone told me all of that before i took that free fountain drink or had sex on the hood of my patrol car while on duty. Hey, but i do wear my armor and i treat everyone fairly. Does that count for anything?