When Calibre Press polled newsletter readers and asked what they thought were the most important things LEOs should know, responses poured in. Here, ranked in order of importance according to the responses, are the top 25.
*** Be sure to share your own words of wisdom with us after you read these!
- Family comes first. Don’t let the job consume you. Ultimately what matters most are the people waiting for you to come home.
- Take care of yourself. Live a healthy lifestyle balanced with physical fitness, nutrition and attention to psychological wellness.
- Continue to educate yourself and train heavily in defensive tactics. Take an extra training opportunity as often as you can.
- Expect the unexpected. Be prepared for anything. No call is a “routine” call. Pay attention, especially during boring or repetitious calls. Complacency is deadly.
- Maintain your integrity. The uniform you wear comes with s high level of integrity that must be preserved.
- Always be aware of your surroundings both on and off duty. Know your patrol zones better than the residents do.
- Be aware of and alert to body language and nonverbal communication. Watch the hands during all citizen contacts. Hands can kill you. Control them.
- Listen to your instinct. If you don’t think something is quite right, it probably isn’t.
- Always be professional and courteous to fellow officers, administrators and civilians. Remember, you are being evaluated on and off duty.
- Know the law. Keep up on all changes in laws and ordinances as well as court decisions. Keep up to date on search and seizure laws and probable cause.
- Know and fully understand your department’s policies.
- Mentally prepare and keep a positive mind-set: “I will go home at the end of my shift.” Practice when/then thinking: “When this happens, then I will…”
- Practice defensive driving and safe vehicle operations. More officers get killed by vehicles than gunfire. Wear your seatbelt.
- Practice, practice, practice. Train to react and rely on your training. Practice firearms, DT and tactical communications skills as if your life depends on it. Someday it might.
- Have other interests, hobbies and even some friends outside of your work.
- Know and accept your strengths and weaknesses, including the limitations of your size.
- Don’t disregard backup until you’re sure you don’t need it…and then think through that decision again.
- Know your equipment and take care of it. Be proficient with it and always carry a back-up.
- Always wear your vest.
- Never underestimate the enemy. On every encounter, expect your worst possible adversary.
- Remember the “Plus One” theory when searching: If you find one weapon, search for two. If you find two, search for three…
- Remember the golden rule of cuffing: cuff and then search.
- Always advise dispatch of your location.
- Practice your communication skills, both writing and speaking. This includes writing thorough and detailed reports.
- Have confidence in and support your fellow officers. We are all brothers and sisters under one badge.
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