By Commander Larry Witte
I’ve been a police officer with a Colorado municipal agency for 17 years, serving as a patrol sergeant for 10 of those years. In my opinion, there is no other position within a law enforcement organization capable of affecting change more than a patrol sergeant. It is a middle management position that has the potential to make or break every level of the organization.
As a road sergeant, you’re responsible for keeping the organization moving forward. You direct resources during incidents big and small, determine the tactics needed to resolve critical situations, and mitigate liability for the agency, all while prioritizing the safety and wellbeing of the officers you supervise.
If you’ve been a cop for more than a minute, chances are you’ve worked under different road sergeants. I had the opportunity to work under several within my first five years, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Observing and learning from them helped me model behaviors, skills and management traits that made them effective, both on scene and in the office. I consider this exposure early in my career a key advantage in my development as a leader.
To be an effective police sergeant, developing the following skills can help you make a meaningful impact:
Duty to the community, the organization and to those you supervise
First and foremost, you’re paid to do a job. Your responsibilities extend to the community, the organization, and the individuals you supervise. Leaders who put these needs ahead of personal agendas create high-functioning teams that achieve outstanding results. These teams tend to have stronger camaraderie and trust, as well as higher enforcement statistics such as increased DUI arrests. As a sergeant, you’re the link between command staff and line-level officers, constantly balancing the needs of both your officers and the community.
Bridge the gap
I often think of a patrol sergeant as a bridge — joining two points together that might otherwise remain disconnected. As a sergeant, you bridge the gap between the patrol division and command staff, facilitating the flow of information in both directions. An effective bridge allows traffic to travel in multiple directions, and so too should you ensure communication moves effectively between levels of the organization.
Training up the next generation
One of the most rewarding parts of being a sergeant is seeing patrol officers from your team promoted. While I don’t take credit for their success, I like to believe I played a role in shaping their leadership development. A good sergeant helps develop the next generation of leadership by mentoring, counseling, and steering officers toward training opportunities that enhance their strengths and address weaknesses. When you invest in the growth of your team, it shows you care about their future — and the future of your agency.
Be an example worth following
It’s hard for officers to take a supervisor seriously if that supervisor is inconsistent — criticizing the organization in one breath, then promoting its goals in the next. Most cops (myself included) tend to focus on the negative or get caught up in office gossip, but this toxic behavior can destroy an agency. As a sergeant, it’s your responsibility to model the behaviors you expect to see in your officers: honesty, accountability, punctuality, and transparency. Officers will expect the same from you, and rightly so.
These are just a few critical factors to becoming an effective patrol sergeant, but they are often overlooked. If you’re already a sergeant or aspiring to be one, always strive to do what’s right for your community, your organization and your team. Constantly remind yourself why you chose this profession and why you wanted to promote. Strive to be deserving of the chevrons you wear and lead well.
About the author
Commander Larry Witte is a 17-year veteran with the Montrose Police Department in Montrose, Colorado. He is the agency’s lead firearms instructor, SWAT team leader and served as a sergeant for 10 years before promoting to patrol commander in May 2023. He is the recipient of the department’s Medal of Honor and Purple Heart.
He is a 2017 summa cum laude graduate of Colorado State University Global, where he earned a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration.
