Wanting to be a Veteran Officer

I am not making jest of young officers, but things still have not changed. Years ago, when I worked at the regional police academy, I could spot “rookies” by their attire from across the parking lot. Admit it, you can as well. They all seek the “tacticool” look, which added to their swagger. Young officers always want to “look like a veteran officer.” During lunchtime break at the academy, I would drop by the local eatery of that day and watch them. Every citizen in the place knew they were fledgling cops; they might as well been in uniform. Recently, while visiting another police academy, things are the same in Rookieland.

I understand your need for acceptance into the veteran officer status, you want to be a part of that tribe. But there is a transitional process that must take place, it is like the maturation process of life.

Facts of Life

The biggest impact advice I gave these young officers then, and it still applies today, is if you want to look like a veteran cop, then learn your profession first! Your actions and work will make you look like a veteran (real) cop. You cannot push your development by selecting tactical attire, buying equipment, and using a false swagger. You will not be a real cop by dropping tactical terms around the others, your mother will not be impressed. It is your actions and performance that will determine how you are viewed and judged. You may fool the spectators most of the time, but you cannot fool the players anytime. The real cops know when you have reached your goal, and then their respect will be rendered to you. Once the respect of veteran officers is detected by you, then you are there.

Back in the late 1970s, when I was in the U.S. Army, we had what we called “P X Hero’s”. They would purchase all the bling for their uniform that they could get away with within regulations. Young police officers are no different, let them drop by a “Cop Shop” and they are primping up their uniform. Face it, few of the most decorated cops I have ever had the privilege to serve with never wore their medals. They were humble and went about their business. Most of them did not want to wear their name tag for that matter so they could not be identified. But when there were the Class A uniform inspections or ‘dress-up days’, they surprised most with their honors. Just be humble and go about your business.

Off-duty attire, on-duty uniforms and all the tactical nicky-neat equipment will not make you a “real cop”. You cannot buy the respect of your peers nor the citizens with appearances. It is your actions that count. A PGA teaching golf professional once gave a golf tip for keeping your head down during the swing—“Listen for the applause, do not look for it.” His advice applies here, do not seek the praise, it will be heard when you performed well under pressure. Never forget that your actions coupled with personal and professional development on the job is the measure you are seeking.

Your professional persona will develop with time, first go about as a quiet and observant student of the trade. Smack-Talk, jargon and general childish idle words will not impress others and more than likely get you into trouble with supervisors and friends. In other words, do not let your mouth (attitude) write checks that you can’t cover.

Got Ego?

Veteran officers and supervisors will “check you” or keep you in line. As you transition from a trainee into a seasoned officer, you also need to keep your ego in check. Better yet, leave it at home. You will make mistakes, you will get corrected, but you should be learning all the while. A word to veteran officers and supervisors, please develop the younger officers with a mentoring atmosphere. We are not running a college frat house! No need for hazing and disrespectful actions. If you want your trainees to become professional, then raise them within a professional atmosphere, and you act accordingly as well.

There was an old television deodorant commercial, “never let’em see you sweat”. Another great step towards your development is to keep calm under adversity. Nobody wants to ride a call with one officer who is reckless and careless. You do not want to be “that officer” that nobody wants to work with. If you exhibit a calm, observant demeanor, this can settle others who are uncertain and reassure your fellow officers.

Within your first year or so, you might receive discipline. This is life and we all have been reeled into the commander’s office for some mishap. How well you handle your first discipline will be a character-building crossroads. Again, we all have had some discipline, get over it. You will not make a career without some, it’s part of the growth process. How you will be viewed is not what you have done, but rather how you handle what is about to happen and its aftermath. Learning from mistakes and handling it in a responsible manner will go a long way. Having a childish meltdown, blaming others, and not accepting responsibility will prove unfavorable. If you are still immature, then you still have a ways to go.

Mistakes—yes will make them, accept that first. No matter how hard you try to achieve perfection, you will make mistakes. Face it you are human. Learning from your mistakes is a great step forward in your growth as a veteran officer. When you analyze the vast decisions you make daily, it is predictable. If you were taught to follow specific procedures, then do not take risky short cuts. The famous risk management instructor Gordan Graham has coined the phrase – “if it is predictable, it is preventable”. Strive to improve every day, the work will come easier. Nobody likes to have to rewrite reports, lose a court case or miss an opportunity to make a significant arrest because of a mistake. Constantly refine your skills, this too will make others view you as that officer you want to be.

Try to treat every day as a learning experience. I was once told by an old detective, “the day you think you know everything about this job, turn in your shield”. No better advice was ever given.

About the Author

William L. "Bill" Harvey is a U.S. Army Military Police Corps veteran. He has a BA in criminology from St. Leo University and is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute of the University of Louisville (103rd AOC). Harvey served for over 23 years with the Savannah (GA) Police Department in field operations, investigations and completed his career as the director of training. Served as the chief of police of the Lebanon City Police Dept (PA) for over seven years and then ten years as Chief of Police for the Ephrata Police Dept (PA). In retirement he continues to publish for professional periodicals and train.