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A recently promoted sergeant got a baptism of fire in the crucible of company politics. He learned — among other things — getting along often meant blind obedience, giving up his own sense of ethics and morality, and even if he went along, if he didn’t align himself as a pawn of some powerful patron, there were high-ranking officers who would either pointedly or recreationally try to “get him” and make his life miserable. He wanted some straight talk about the tactics of agency survival.
Inter-organizational tactics are fine, but if they’re not built upon some solid strategies for organizational survival, they’re like paddles without a lifeboat. Straight talk? Here it is:
It ain’t a pretty picture, but it’s undeniably true that in some agencies, the only sin greater than speaking up is standing up; for yourself, for your troops, for what’s right; for demanding orders must not only be legal, but ethical and moral, or you won’t carry them out; for refusing to smile and say “It must be raining!” when somebody pisses down your shirt collar.
If you really want to keep your badge, your career and your integrity, the best thing you can do is be prepared to throw down the first two and walk away. On any given day at any time, the more ready you are to turn in your badge, the less likely it is that it’ll be taken from you — and the more confidently and masterfully you can carry out your duties.
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Heaving The Hammer
There’s a strong subconscious presumption held by some ill-motivated high ranking brass that you have a morbid fear of losing your job, and that you’ll do anything — eat any crap, abase yourself in any way — to avoid that. Many practitioners of casual persecution simply love to stick needles into people, and causing strong, self-assured, confident young supervisors to cringe and piddle like cowed cocker spaniels is particularly sweet to them. That’s just a fact of life. In many ways, the interpersonal dynamics of LE agencies are very much like the behavioral dynamics of prison populations: “punking the proud” is a sport and pastime.
Threatening your job is the heaviest hammer they have, so get rid of the hammer. The following suggestions are presented in an order, but get moving on all four simultaneously.
First, without unreasonably affecting your family, bank and reserve a minimum of six months income — preferably, a year’s worth. (I didn’t say this would be easy, did I?) It makes sense and you know it; you should do it in any case. If thinking of it, as “possible resignation insurance” doesn’t work for you, call it “family emergency funds.” Carrying out suggestions number two and three can mean you’d never have to draw it down too much.
Second, get a concealed weapons carry permit, just like a civilian. Yeah, I know you don’t need one as a cop. But if you walked out of PDHQ without a badge tomorrow, (a) you’d want to be packing, wouldn’t you? And (b), if you leave enemies behind, getting approval for one in the future might be “problematic,” right? It’s easier to renew than to acquire.
Third, develop another vocational skill you could fall back on quickly. Get qualified, if appropriate; certified if required, and keep yourself current. No matter if it’s heavy equipment operation, TIG-welding, locksmithing, alarm installation or nuclear weapons disposal. Get and maintain solid contacts in that trade. Be as ready to jump as possible.
Here’s a good one: Get a commercial driver’s license and a chauffeur’s certificate. Learn how to wheel a stretch limo, even if you have to “donate” an evening to a limo service occasionally to stay in practice. If you’ve been around the block, you’ve got a chauffeur’s ticket, and you pack legal heat, you can make more in one night than in a week as a police sergeant, and double that in tips. Note: Gem dealers frequently need armed driver-escorts operating plain-Jane sedans or SUVs — and they like ex-cops.
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Get Your Own Pet Wolverine
Finally, retain your own lawyer, preferably one with established creds in criminal defense, labor law, and civil service procedures if you’re in such a system. Otherwise, get a gut-ripping criminal defense ferret whose firm has specialists in those other areas. Remember, you don’t need a “nice guy;” you need a well-organized, resolutely ruthless representative.
Believe me, there are lots of seemingly anti-cop lawyers who only seem anti-cop because they’ve successfully defended crooks and cops who’ve gone over to the “dark side.” Many of them actually like cops, are strong on law and order, and they’d love to have good cops; honest, wronged cops for clients. Find one before you need one.
Consider forming a retainer group with a handful of other cops you trust. Small monthly payments can be shared. Hammer out a contract that will assure the initial response and advice is covered by retainer, and negotiate an established-client rate for more involved defense representation.
Yeah, I know your “employer will provide legal services” for (selected) duty-related matters. This could be a painfully junior assistant city attorney with a week on the job, or a deputy DA who’s been quietly told to “represent” you, but leave you twisting in the wind. It happens, guys.
The bottom line is if you have ethics, you make enemies. Be prepared, and keep your preparations confidential. The first time you need an attorney at 0300 on a Sunday morning and he or she shows up at HQ within the hour wearing a pressed suit, shined Gucci’s, and a mean “game face,” you’ll be glad you went the extra mile.
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John Morrison served in combat as a Marine sergeant, and retired as a senior lieutenant from the San Diego Police Department, having served there as Director of Training, Commanding Officer of SWAT and division executive officer. He has taught, written and lectured widely on training, tactics and leadership. Contact him at StreetLevelOne@yahoo.com.
First published in the Jan/Feb 2008 issue of American COP. |
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