I have had many officers review the promotional process and when they finally decide to take the exam, I ask them why? You would be surprised at the various answers. Some are very good and some are in the toilet. For example: if, after you have examined the situation, and determined that money is the only reason for wanting to promote, then please don't do it. At the very least, public service is always our goal. That is why most of us entered public safety as a career. If money is your only motivation you will not be a good Supervisor nor will you be of any benefit to your subordinates or the Department. Being a Supervisor takes someone who wants to be involved with his subordinates and the City in which he works and not just pick up a paycheck. So, if money is your only motivation don't waste your time nor the City's time and money.
There are other concerns regarding supervision. This will be a new position, one that you are not totally familiar with, and it will take time for you to learn what is expected of you. You should also understand that there will be time constraints and as a Supervisor, you will be expected to work various shifts and be available when required by the Department. You will be in a fishbowl; your subordinates will be constantly watching you trying to determine whether or not you are capable of handling this position. As a new Supervisor, you must know that they will be pushing the envelope in an attempt to determine how you will handle each and every situation. You have to ask yourself, do you want to put yourself through this treatment? Remember, you know this will happen because you did the same thing as an Officer to your new Supervisor. So put yourself into that situation and prepare accordingly.
Along with this position comes major responsibility and accountability (I believe this can be viewed both as a negative and a positive). No longer can you blame the Supervisor for not handling the situation properly, because that Supervisor will be you. I am not saying this is a bad thing, but you have to decide if you are willing to add this responsibility, the extra pressure, and stress, and incorporate it into your current lifestyle - a lifestyle which may already consist of a marriage, children, mortgages, car payments, and other debts. These are tough questions and you have to be honest with yourself as you determine if you are willing to make the necessary sacrifices and accept the position.
Your life, in general, will change. What do I mean by this? Well, you will be viewed as "different." You are no longer "one of the boys." You must now set the example for others to follow. Your social encounters will change because you will now be the person who may have to discipline the same person you used to have dinner with prior to your promotion. Now you may think this will never happen but trust me, it does. It may not happen right away but as soon as you make your first decision that does not set well with your troops, it will happen. The minute you correct your "friend" or take disciplinary action against him, it will happen. The minute you take corrective action against one of your friend's friends, it will happen and when it does, you will not believe it at first. But then you will realize that you are different and that you no longer have the same relationship with those people who used to be your friends. When you accept this responsibility, you will have made the transition from Police Officer to Supervisor.
Having said all that and how it will affect you, you must now explain this phenomenon to your spouse or significant other. Like you, they will also say that these prior relationships are too strong and your position would never influence their friendship. But believe me, it will.
Try this on for size: My partner and I worked Homicide for six years. During this time, we were as thick as thieves while on duty. Then he introduced me to his sister-in-law. Soon we became brothers-in-law as well as partners in the Detective Bureau. So far, no harm no foul. Then I got a promotion and all of a sudden I was his Sergeant as well as his Homicide partner and brother-in-law. This was all well and good until the first disciplinary action against him from yours truly. It doesn't matter what the discipline was. Even if only a verbal reprimand, it has an affect on the relationship, both on duty and off. You can imagine how it would affect family functions, etc. Enough said. It is something to discuss with your loved ones, and hopefully, it will never happen to you.
Too many Supervisors have stated to me, about three months after being promoted, "I never expected anything like this, and my wife doesn't understand why I have to spend so much time at the station. When I was a street cop, I was able to come right home after my shift. Our friends don't call or come over as often as before, which bothers my wife a lot."
It is not all dark and gloomy, but I would be remiss if I did not try to give an honest look at both sides.
