My Last Speech: What Would I Say to a 2024 Graduating Police Class?

Throughout my career, I have had to give speeches for police academy graduations, welcome home ceremonies for returning troops, civilian police academy graduations, and several other auspicious occasions that are connected to being a chief. I would like to give one more speech, and this would be to a graduating police academy.

This article appeared in the July/August issue of OFFICER Magazine. Click Here to subscribe to OFFICER Magazine.

When thinking back how long it has been since I have given a graduation speech, I have now thought about the officers of that class, what they were trained for and what they were told to face back then. Now, ‘the job’ has morphed into something that we could not have predicted back then. Yes, the job is changing, the face of law enforcement is changing. So, what kind of speech would I give a graduating class in 2024?

Well, now what?

After giving homage to the attending political heads, fellow chiefs, sheriffs, and remaining well thought of dignitaries. I would then focus on the families of the graduating class. Now the graduates, I would address them with this question—Well now, what are your next steps? You’ve just completed an arduous police academy and now you’re ready to go on the job! Right? No, by no means are you ready to go.

You still have several critical steps in front of you. Number one, you still have your field training officer program before you. This is where you have a mentor working closely with you. I still refer to the FTO (field training officer) as the “fine tuning officer.” And it’s going to take you about a year to get where you need to be to become a self-sufficient officer. So slow down and prepare to learn even more. Some of you, before even getting to the FTO class, may have to attend department-centric training. Here you will cover policies, procedures, and performing the job the ‘department way’ before you even hit the streets.

But remember, it’s training that is going to be your career lifeline. It can be your career insurance policy with that sharp edge you maintain. It may be the edge for promotions or better assignments. Secondly, it may give you that edge to survive when things turn dark. Never look over your shoulder at the academy when you walk out; you will need to visit it many more times through a long career.

What else should you do? Please make a solemn promise to your family who is here today, to your parents, your brothers and sisters, spouses, partners that you’re going to apply what was taught, and you’re going to try to come home every night. I recall, many years ago, I was in a large box store where they had a family portraits kiosk. You know, where you would see people come in and have their portraits made. I saw a young police officer sitting there by himself. That day he had a picture of himself made in full Class A uniform. I knew him and stopped to ask, what are you doing? He replied, “I don’t know if anything bad will happen to me, but I want my mother to have a picture of me as a police officer.” Then it dawned on me, we need to ensure that we have proper photographs of our staff. Later, I had all my staff have their photographs made so the department had photos for promotions and the routine press releases. But I always feared, just in case, I needed a photo when I don’t want to use it.

The next thing you need to do is make a solemn promise to yourself to treat every day as a learning experience. I was once taught by an old instructor the day that you think you know everything about law enforcement, please turn your shield in and get out of the business; you’re going to get yourself if not other people hurt. So, treat every day as a learning opportunity. Every day try to add one new concept; one new idea of making you a more professional and efficient police officer or person for that matter.

What’s next? Make yourself another promise that you will treat everybody as you would treat your family. We are not an occupying army. The motto of the United States Army Military Police Corps is “for the troops and of the troops.” We are part of our own customer base, for the public of which we represent -we come from that same public group. Treat everybody justly and fairly but also make sure when you give everybody that one chance for them, show them respect. Now, if they disrespect you or meet you with violence, then your training will take over and you perform as a professional. Handle Business!

Next, try to make a difference every day in the life of someone, whether it’s one of your fellow officers who might be going through a rough patch right now. Maybe you can make a referral for a citizen who’s going through a problem, such a getting them lined up with some much-needed assistance. Little acts of kindness every day add up. You see I totally believe in the concept if we do 1% better every day than we were the day before, the cumulative effect will be awe-inspiring. Each of you can make your city a better place.

Finally, what do you do next? Look at your brothers and sisters who went through this academy with you. All of you sat there and exchanged ideas and dreams of how you’re going to make a difference. Look to the left of you and then look to the right of you; look at them. Now, nod your head right now, go ahead and everybody do it. Now remake the promise to each other you will never tarnish that shield that you’re wearing. You must understand that we are graded by the one bad apple theory. Sadly, if the one bad apple comes from a state many hours away, we are all painted with that same paintbrush as another bad apple. Make a solemn and binding promise to you and to your classmates and to this vocation that you will never tarnish that shield. You will never abuse that power; you will never abuse citizens and you will try to make the next day better. For remember, each of us is a role model, for somewhere today a little boy or a little girl will say, I want to be like you.

Finally, make that promise to wear your vest, wear your seat belt and love your family.