Editor’s Note: This is the seventh installment of Ask Tung, a series featuring Commander Eric Tung. With 17 years of experience in law enforcement, Tung currently oversees patrol operations, wellness and peer support for his agency in Washington State. In each article, Tung shares insights on fitness, wellness and leadership to help officers thrive on and off the job. Have a question you’d like answered next? Send yours to Tung on Instagram @bluegritwellness or bluegritwellness@gmail.com.
If you’re new to the job, you’ve probably already felt it — the sideways glance, the skeptical once-over, the unspoken “prove it” hanging in the air. Respect isn’t handed out in this profession — it’s earned. And if you want to build trust and credibility with seasoned officers, it starts with how you show up. The key lies in adopting the right mindset. This goes beyond attitude — it’s about demonstrated practices and effective communication, grounded in humility, drive and resilience.
In this article, we break down how to do just that — by staying humble, staying hungry and staying gritty.
Stay humble
No one likes a know-it-all — or as my buddies and I call them, a “Me-Monster” (Me, me, me!). Your partners don’t care. Don’t get it twisted — they don’t care about what you’ve done, they care about what you can do. So show them. Actions speak louder.
Whether you’re in a traditional culture where new recruits wait to speak until spoken to, or in a more casual environment where the lieutenant asks you to use her first name, take your cues from those around you. Don’t rush familiarity, and don’t lead with your stories or qualifications.
Embrace the mindset of being a lifelong student. No one is a true expert in policing — there are too many facets, and everything is constantly evolving. Grasping that concept will help your humility grow, which in turn will foster patience with your career, your coworkers and your reputation.
Start with simple phrases that show your mindset:
“I don’t know... but standby and I’ll find out.” It’s one thing to admit you don’t know something — and for many ego-driven individuals, even that is tough. But admitting it is only half the battle. The other half is taking action to find the answer. Doing so shows you’re committed to solving the problem and to bettering yourself in the process.
“Mind if I pick your brain?” This phrase signals that you’re open to learning and that you respect senior experience. It invites wisdom to be shared, not challenged. It shows you’re trying to understand a process or decision — not argue with it.
“What can I work on?” What’s better than accepting feedback? Asking for it. And when you do, keep an open mind. Don’t get defensive. The worst thing you can do is ask for someone’s input and then reject it — whether through excuses, tone, body language or facial expressions (even the ones you don’t realize you’re making).
By asking for accountability — and actually accepting it — you send a strong message to your team: You’re reliable, you’re serious and you’re here to grow.
Stay hungry
Show your drive. Show your initiative. Show your work ethic. No one likes the officer who plays “Notebook Chicken” — standing around, waiting to see who’s going to pull out their notebook first to take a witness statement. Don’t be that officer.
You have the opportunity to shape how people see you. Do they want you on their squad — or not? Do they hope you show up to their call — or dread it? You determine whether you’re seen as an asset, dead weight or, worst of all, a liability. Every agency has all three — which one you are is entirely up to you.
Here are some ways to show your work ethic:
“I got this.” Be the first. Be the first to answer the call. Be the first to volunteer for the civilian rider. Be the first to attend the community meeting. Be the first to pull out your notebook. Doing so accomplishes two things: It shows you’re here to work and be an asset, and it gives you reps. Exposure and repetition fuel growth. And if something feels uncomfortable — good. That’s where growth happens.
Show up on time. Better yet, show up early.
Be ready — with your gear, your knowledge, your skills and, most importantly, your mindset. Competence breeds confidence, and confidence spreads throughout the team.
“What can I do?” — or even better, “Have these items been done?” When you’re the second or third officer on scene, don’t just say, “Need anything?” That gives people an easy out to say no. Be specific. Ask what needs to be done. This shows you’re not just being polite — you’re truly invested. Tone, body language and your growing reputation for dependability will reinforce that.
Ask pointed questions:
- “Has anyone talked to the witness by the truck?”
- “Has a crime log been started?”
- “Have photos of the scene been taken?”
This kind of engagement makes a strong impression and strengthens team dynamics. Trust and connection are built through consistent, meaningful contributions — and that’s the foundation of respect.
“I’d love to learn more about [insert dream unit or role].” High performers have goals — and they’re always working toward them. If you’re approaching the job with humility, you should feel comfortable sharing your aspirations with your supervisor and team, especially when asked.
You can say you love your current work and still share your long-term interest in joining SWAT or becoming a detective. Then take the next step — ask mentors what they recommend. Learn what training or volunteer opportunities you can pursue to sharpen your skills and become a resource for the team.
When your squad knows you’re gunning for a spot on the Traffic Unit or want to become a reconstructionist, they’ll be more than happy to hold the scene and let you take the collision report — because they know you’re serious.
Stay gritty
Grit is adaptability. It’s fortitude. It’s the commitment to being your best — resilient in the face of adversity and always leaning into growth.
By adopting a growth mindset that sees challenges as opportunities, you strengthen your ability not just to keep developing, but to endure and thrive in a career that will inevitably test you. That mindset applies across all areas of life — personal, professional and physical: from fitness and sleep to finances and relationships. Improving in these areas means improving yourself — and showing up as the best version of you for your team. Here are some questions to ask:
“Where can I improve most?” I like to call them “areas of opportunity” instead of weaknesses — because we all have them. I have a lot. Even highly driven people tend to stick with what they’re already good at. That’s natural. But taking stock of what needs attention helps us stay balanced — in our careers, personal lives and health.
“How am I improving daily?” What did I learn at work yesterday? How will I challenge my brain tomorrow on my day off? How’s my patience? When’s the last time I ran more than two miles — and when am I doing that this week?
By evaluating the different aspects of our lives, we can slowly refine and elevate each one. And as one area improves, it feeds into the others. When stress management improves, so does sleep. Better sleep leads to better workouts. Better workouts build confidence — and more patience, with coworkers and the public. Start small, but start steady.
“What negative narratives can I bend or break?” We all fall into negative narratives. Once we accept them as truth, we stop trying. That intersection will always be a crime hub. Divorce is inevitable. You can’t work out consistently on night shift.
Ask yourself: Are these beliefs really true — or just convenient excuses? Can I partner up and give that corner some extra attention? Can I pitch a proactive operation to my sergeant and bring in another unit? Can I use EAP for free counseling? Can I ask the squad’s fit freak how he makes workouts happen on nights? Clearly, he’s figured it out. Be patient — but stay focused. Wins come in small doses, and those small wins build momentum.
“How am I serving myself, my family, my team and my community?” A strong sense of purpose will carry you through the tough stretches of this career. It helps you show up well for everyone — including yourself. When you ask this question, you realign with the reason you signed up in the first place.
Stay focused, dependable and real
No one said this job would be easy. In fact, plenty of people probably tried to convince you it wasn’t worth it. Maybe they still are. But you’re reading this because you’re not here to just do the job — you’re here to do it well. To earn the respect of your peers and your team.
Staying focused, dependable and real — that’s what your team remembers. People respect those who perform. But they also respect those who are genuine, who can be vulnerable, who adapt and come back stronger.
Stay humble. Stay hungry. Stay gritty.
That’s how you become the kind of teammate others count on — and how you build a career that’s not just effective, but meaningful and rewarding.
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