Page 18 - November Issue 10 24 14_Neat
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When we say reproach I am not talking about free coffee or other perks given
to law enforcement that so many others begrudge. To those who complain
about that I remind them that every profession receives some perks and
beneits that are available only to those in that particular profession. I am
addressing the even handedness you employ as you handle your assignment.
It’s not wrong to accept a free or discounted cup of coffee, it’s wrong to allow
it and any other perks to inluence the way you do your job; be respectful,
fair and consistent when dealing with the public. They won’t always like what
you have to say but when cooler heads prevail they will respect the manner in
which you do your job.
You have to have a great deal of discretion regarding the manner in which you
handle your assignments; you don’t have to write down every moving violation
you see, you can issue a warning. Granted there was a lot more discretion given
to oficers years ago. Today we have stripped them of that ability believing
that somehow will show the public we are unbiased and impartial, well that
hasn’t worked out too well has it? So maybe we should devote more training to
morality, ethics and human interactions and then permit our oficers to employ
these tools responsibly.
As I sit with you here a funny point crossed my mind: law enforcement is a
cyclical industry. We talk about creating new policies and procedures to adapt
to our ever changing environment. Community policing…the broken window
theory etc. etc. and in reality we are not re-creating, we are re-branding some
of the tried and true practices of yesteryear.
Courtesy of Jimmy Rago and King Paramore in deep discussion at FOP Lodge 105
18
to law enforcement that so many others begrudge. To those who complain
about that I remind them that every profession receives some perks and
beneits that are available only to those in that particular profession. I am
addressing the even handedness you employ as you handle your assignment.
It’s not wrong to accept a free or discounted cup of coffee, it’s wrong to allow
it and any other perks to inluence the way you do your job; be respectful,
fair and consistent when dealing with the public. They won’t always like what
you have to say but when cooler heads prevail they will respect the manner in
which you do your job.
You have to have a great deal of discretion regarding the manner in which you
handle your assignments; you don’t have to write down every moving violation
you see, you can issue a warning. Granted there was a lot more discretion given
to oficers years ago. Today we have stripped them of that ability believing
that somehow will show the public we are unbiased and impartial, well that
hasn’t worked out too well has it? So maybe we should devote more training to
morality, ethics and human interactions and then permit our oficers to employ
these tools responsibly.
As I sit with you here a funny point crossed my mind: law enforcement is a
cyclical industry. We talk about creating new policies and procedures to adapt
to our ever changing environment. Community policing…the broken window
theory etc. etc. and in reality we are not re-creating, we are re-branding some
of the tried and true practices of yesteryear.
Courtesy of Jimmy Rago and King Paramore in deep discussion at FOP Lodge 105
18
