In a time when many officers are stepping down, you’re stepping up. Congrats! You have heard the call and you are answering. Not only do we need more good cops, but we also need cops who can lead.
Whether you are a “born leader” with the chops for the job or are still forging yourself to take the mantle, there are mindsets to adopt and skills to develop. Having the esteem of your peers and the resume to back it up isn’t enough when it comes to effective leadership in law enforcement.
Nearly all organizations have a promotional process governed by a combination of civil service guidelines, policy, external evaluators and civilians from the community. Make sure you have your preparation dialed in, and like most things in our profession, training, practice and preparation will help you win the day.
Develop your mindset
Who are you as a cop, a person and a leader? If you are pausing to come up with a fluffy interview answer, then you have work to do.
The most important thing about leading is defining your values. Your values are your compass. They help you navigate hard times and tip the scale during difficult decisions.
There are values that top our lists in police work such as integrity and service to others. These are great but go deeper. What do they mean for you? Integrity may mean committing to goals you help your team set. Service may be creatively finding solutions instead of fixating on what we “can’t do.”
Personalize your brand
When you think of a major clothing manufacturer, chain restaurant, or car company, you immediately see images of people and lifestyles associated with those products. This is the branding these companies are trying to create. The same is true for people.
Starting with your mindset, you can shape and form your brand. Your goal is to exude this attitude in your interactions, at work and at home. This is what you are all about. This is the type of cop you are. This is why you are the best candidate for promotion.
When you go into a promotional process, focus on your brand. Your goal should be for each assessor or interviewer to leave with a sense of who you are:
Candidate D was squared away. She talked about people first and worked a lot of her own cases. She always made it about the people she served.
Candidate F was a leader from the front. He was on the tactical team and developed training for all the officers on his shift.
You may be reviewed by different people in various exercises or during components of the process. Find ways to share your brand with them in the answers you provide or the presentations you deliver.
[RELATED: The 22 leadership traits cops are looking for in their supervisors in 2022]
The separation is in the preparation
Russell Wilson was correct when he said, “The separation is in the preparation.” When it comes to officers I’ve coached, there is a strong correlation between those who prepare and those who rank highly on the list. But this isn’t simply about studying your policies or practicing answers to interview questions with your spouse or buddy. It is a combination of the themes mentioned above and the categories listed below:
- Know the test: Most processes involve an orientation or at least a summary of the steps involved. Read this closely. If you can summarize it to someone else, then you have a strong understanding of it. Break it down and make notes and a plan to make sure you address each part of the test.
- Reach out: Chances are this promotional process isn’t one of a kind; other people in your agency have taken something similar. Discuss and receive advice or feedback. This isn’t cheating, this is learning. There is a difference between asking for the answers to the test and asking for guidance on how you should prepare. That is what makes the difference between good officers and supervisors in the field – they know how to access resources and take the initiative to do so.
- Study: Many processes involve a written exam component. This is where you hit the books. Hone in on key criminal law, standard operating procedures, department policies, case law and even union contract rules. Make/print copies, highlight, take notes and make flashcards. Study with a friend who is testing as well – it wouldn’t hurt to take the #1 and #2 spots on the list, right?
- Anticipate: After you work through the above sections, plan on the types of things you may be tested on. This can come in the form of interview questions and scenarios. Most interviews ask about things they want you to prove. Think about what your agency wants in a leader. Problem solver? Working in a team through conflict? Accessing resources and engaging stakeholders for a solution? Of course. Man, that sounds good – write that down! It pays to list those big calls or cases where you made an integral difference and problems that you solved with a creative response. Think of examples where you organized people and/or tasks to make things better at the present time, or better yet, the future.
- Practice makes perfect: Some wiser people reframe this to, “Perfect practice makes permanent.” Focus on quality reps to ensure optimal performance. This means focusing on addressing role-playing scenarios and answering interview questions. It might be helpful to write an outline of your desired responses and the main points you want to hit. Take time to sit upright at a table, with ideal posture, inflexion and a charismatic smile and body language. Practice the flow and pace of your answers so you don’t sound scattered or choppy. You will want to get a sense of how long it takes for you to present your ideas, so you don’t rush or get cut off when you hit the time limit.
Conclusion
There are many components to police promotional processes. Investing time to study, plan and practice will allow for the greatest opportunity for success.
A leader is someone who goes the extra mile. True leaders foresee challenges and opportunities. They invest the effort to refine and develop their skills so they can rise to the occasion and deliver for their teams. An effective testing process with an effective tester will produce a credible candidate list. Where you end up on that list is namely up to you. Good luck.
