Often I am approached by citizens who say “It must be hard to be a police officer right now.” I tell them that despite all of the unfortunate and tragic incidents our country has experienced in the past couple of years, and despite the rise in violent crime and other challenges, there is not another profession on the face of the planet that beats policing in America.
As a young adult and as an officer, I always wondered why people avoid challenges and discomfort. But it’s normal, right? It is human nature to do what is comfortable and familiar for us. That is how habits are formed. It’s our body‘s way of surviving and our brain’s way of feeling safe.
But don’t we do things in life that are hard on purpose to become physically and mentally stronger? Whether you are filling out a crossword puzzle, trying to solve a Rubik’s cube, or paying $130 to run a half marathon or a Spartan race, all of those activities are uncomfortable and the majority of us don’t desire doing them. But we do it anyway because we know it will benefit us in the long run. We go to the gym and lift heavy weights to gain muscle, so why not treat our circumstances the same way?
judged by our decisions during tough times
Leaders are born and flourish during the toughest of times. Some of the finest and most influential leaders in the world have risen in times of great adversity and challenges: Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Winston Churchill, Mother Teresa – the list can go on.
Think about all of the challenges that these leaders faced and how they took adversity as an opportunity. It caused them to be influential leaders and affect change not just in their country, but worldwide.
We are judged by the decisions we make during tough times, not when things are easy. The people in our community need us to be what we signed up for. They see us as leaders, healers, advocates, teachers, mediators and peacekeepers. Some days we are guardians and others we are warriors. We are courageous, righteous, resilient and even when afraid, we are brave. We deal with direct and vicarious trauma, the lack of sleep and stability, and knowing the risks involved, every day we put on the uniform. The majority of society sleeps safe in their home at night knowing that if something bad does happen, a police officer will show up and put calm to the chaos.
Our search for meaning in life
In a book titled “Man’s Search for Meaning”, author Victor Frankl (a neurologist, psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor) speaks about logotherapy, a school of psychology that describes how we as humans search for meaning in life as our motivational force. My passion and motivation for being a law enforcement officer from day one has been driven and fed by the amount of difference we can make each day we come in contact with the public.
Many people we come across in our personal and professional lives struggle because they lack the sense of fulfillment that law enforcement offers. I say offers, because what we gain from this job has everything to do with responsibility and accountability. We have all been to calls where taking a report wasn’t the end but the beginning of a relationship built on trust, support and partnership. We are offered many chances for growth and influence in this job, what we do with it is up to us.
Focus on your “why”
Police officers save and change lives daily around the country under the most difficult circumstances. A lot of police departments are dealing with low manpower, friction from their community, and a lack of support and leadership from politicians. It can become discouraging, and cause officers to question their place in the job. I urge you to focus on your “why” and tune out all of the unnecessary noise around you. I encourage you to revisit your “why” and think about each and every person in your community who relies on you every day for their safety and comfort. The tough times will pass, let’s take advantage of the challenges while they are here.
