In a way, part of your job is to assure the citizens in your care have the opportunity to spend their lives in Fantasy Land: a world of reality denied, and unrealistic expectations smoothly met. At least, that’s the effect of the reigning social ethos in America. People are supposed to be accommodated in their blind belief that vicious predators either don’t exist, or at least that they will never be the prey, that their homes are not simply “loot containers” waiting to be emptied, or “killing boxes” in which they may become victims. The directors of our national drama prefer light, fictional romantic comedy to “reality bites.”
Much of this “unpleasantness-avoidance” is forced on us — for example, we are not supposed to know, much less admit aloud, that there are certain ethnic, income class or social group elements to crimes in some communities, any more than Homeland Security personnel are supposed to know and incorporate in their operations the fact that 100 percent of all Arab Muslim terrorists happen to be Muslims of Arabic descent. Oh, no! That might seem like … profiling!
No, we’re supposed to believe crooks are only crooks because they have misunderstood motivations or unmet “needs;” that people under oath are self-compelled to tell the truth; that lawyers only want to see justice done, and a host of other fairy tales. It is socially and politically unacceptable to recognize that some people are pure evil, not because they are criminally insane — “suffering from a syndrome” — but rather because they are morally bankrupt, and they enjoy inflicting pain.
FIGHTING FANTASY LAND EFFECT
The fact that much of this is forced upon us from the outside makes it even more important we not force the FLE — Fantasy Land Effect — on ourselves. Here’s one seemingly subtle but serious way you can fight FLE within the ranks.
How many times have you heard supervisors and COs harangue their officers with the old, “I demand 150 percent from you people!” — or phrases to that effect? Sometimes it seems a circle of sergeants will get into some kind of competition to see how forcefully, and how much over one hundred percent they can demand of officers’ efforts. Stupid, but common, isn’t it? Aside from the fact that humans are tapped out at maximum 100 percent effort and there simply ain’t no more, do you really want your troops burning at that rate? Even close to it, the mightiest of meteors burn out before they can make any real impact. Otherwise, it’s all flash-in-the-sky and fizzle. Cops intuitively know that. They walk out of their squad conferences and forget that crap before their butts hit the cruiser seat — and they should forget it. It is eminently forgettable.
After one such “inspirational speech,” I formulated my own percentage of effort plan, and gave it to my troops several times over the years. They seemed to find it refreshingly realistic, and relatively easy to meet. It went like this:
For two hours of the shift, I want 90 percent effort from you. This should be during peak, prime crime-time, and I want you to match your speed-of-handling to the need-for-handling — but never getting so furiously and frantically fast in your work that safety gets sidelined or important details get dumped, okay? A job halfdone at double-speed is only evidence that you can work fast, not smart.
Also, if you do a lot of “work” — citations, traffic warnings, field interviews,
misdemeanor arrests — and it doesn’t address the primary problems of your beat, it’s all just burning rubber and spinning wheels. Now, 90 percent also leaves 10 percent of your capacity free for tactical and social awareness of all that’s around you while you’re focused on something specific. Rarely is a task so one dimensional
that there aren’t several other peripheral issues orbiting around it — like
executing the arrest warrant on that felon at his “safe house,” and missing the
felony child neglect or endangerment issues that might kill a kid next week.
Some Realistic Expectations
For another two or three hours, I want 60 to 70 percent from you. This means you’re actively “working your beat” with timely response to calls; giving appropriate attention to general crime suppression and known trouble spots; working methodically and intelligently to achieve preservation of the peace, protection of lives and property and apprehension of criminals; and preventing crime whenever possible — and taking time out for building better relationships with an array of contacts, both the “legitimates” on your beat, and the lesser-evolved but useful street-corner strap-hangers. Develop some CIs; keep your eyes open, ears up. Boost your “tactical and social” second-sense awareness to 20 or 30 percent, and you’re still about 10 to 20 percent “effortless,” right?
For a couple more hours, I want something less than 50 percent. Cruise the backwaters of your beat, either finding problems that aren’t reported or just confirming that there aren’t any to report, chat with citizens, pet some dogs, laugh with kids, even shoot a couple of hoops — but stay in the “second-sense sensor” game, okay? “Waving the flag,” showing the copcolors where folks rarely see ’em is a good thing. And, you might find a dragon or two that needs slaying. This is real police work, too.
For an hour, all I want is 25 percent. Breathe in, breathe out; diddle with your paperwork and dawdle a bit over dinner, remembering and reflecting that you’re a cop on duty, but essentially relaxing. There’s a social dimension to this job, so get together with buddies on the next beat and swap cop info between fishing fables, okay? Do not jump up and “look busy” if I suddenly show up. I approve of breaks and breathers, guys. Your overall activity and the condition of your beat will tell the true tales.
It’s funny, my troops always seemed to work smarter, harder and more than the guys being harangued to “put out 150 percent.” Try it.
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 Nov/Dec 2006 issue of American COP.
