No matter where you are in your career — whether you’re just starting at the academy, receiving daily feedback during field training, managing calls for service, supervising a team, or leading an entire agency — criticism is inevitable.
This isn’t unique to law enforcement — people voicing their opinions is common across all professions. Compliments are always nice to hear, no matter your role, but dealing with opposing views or, worse, personal attacks can be uncomfortable at any level. How we handle criticism varies greatly depending on our upbringing and natural disposition. Some people can shrug it off, while others may dwell on it for days — or even longer. Whether or not a response is necessary depends on the nature of the criticism. You might not prioritize someone questioning how you managed a crime scene or engaged with a community member, but what happens when your character is questioned? And what if the criticism crosses into your personal life, involving your children, education, or off-duty activities?
To effectively manage criticism, it’s important to have a strategy for processing it. This starts by considering where it’s coming from.
Trusted colleagues offer life-saving perspectives: If the criticism comes from a trusted colleague, mentor, or friend, it’s likely rooted in concern and thoughtfulness. For example, if your patrol partner or desk mate suggests that your approach to an active crime scene was risky, it’s worth having them explain why they feel that way, what they observed, and what they recommend for the future. Their perspective on a potential “officer safety” misstep could very well save your life next time.
Genuine concerns from associates require reflection: Criticism from an associate likely means they had a genuine concern if they took the effort to speak up. While no one enjoys being told they did something wrong, if we aim to grow, it’s worth reflecting on their feedback to determine if it’s valid or just noise.
Learning from leadership: Feedback from supervisors can come with various intentions. Are they trying to ensure your safety, correct your tactics, reduce their own headaches, share wisdom to help you improve, or simply avoid liability (because every agency has a supervisor like that)? In a paramilitary structure, we have to listen respectfully. Whether we agree with the feedback or not, it offers a different perspective on our actions. This is why frontline supervisors are so crucial for new (and even experienced) officers — they provide the first level of oversight and correction.
Distinguishing constructive criticism from malicious gossip: Sometimes, criticism comes from someone who just doesn’t like you, often through gossip or anonymously. Their motives could be fear, jealousy, ignorance, or even hate. Here, you must ask yourself, “Does this person care enough to confront me constructively, or are they just looking to cause harm?” Reflect on their words, decide if there’s room for improvement, but always consider the source. Remember, those doing better than you usually aren’t the ones criticizing you. If you’re being targeted, take solace in knowing you’re occupying space in their minds, and keep moving forward.
Embracing public criticism as a part of the job: Criticism from the public is inevitable. With the rise of social media, transparent policies, community engagement and constant communication, every citizen has a platform to voice their opinion. Even if an incident was handled perfectly, there will always be someone ready to criticize. It’s crucial to recognize early on that public (and personal) criticism is part of the job. Embrace it as an opportunity to engage with the community and colleagues, opening lines of communication and breaking down barriers for future interactions through education and outreach.
In conclusion, serving as an officer will bring both praise and criticism. If the feedback is true, useful, or helpful — absorb it and grow. If it’s spiteful, hurtful, or unproductive — note it, but stay your course.
NEXT: How can you create a positive image as an officer? Join Gordon Graham as he shares essential tips for building trust and enhancing community relations.
