5 Ways to Have a Great Professional Life as a Police Officer

When I turned in my shield at my farewell ceremony, I was filled with emotion after 26 years of service. I consider myself exceptionally lucky: I was never seriously injured, I stayed married, and as far as I know, I am still relatively normal (although that is debatable).

Just as importantly, when I presented my shield to my Major, I had absolutely no regrets. My career was everything I had hoped for and more. I had wanted to be a police officer since I was four years old (see photo below). Things didn’t exactly work out the way I expected, but by following sound advice and paying close attention to how I wanted this chapter of my life to unfold, I can honestly say that I am filled with gratitude and look back fondly on my active law enforcement career. I believe that the American police officer has the best job in the world, and I’d like to share five practical tips with you to help you lead an exceptional professional life as a police officer.

1. Become a master in the art of traffic patrol

I hear all the time that new officers or people who are considering becoming officers fast forward to wanting to be a detective, a canine officer, a SWAT officer, or a sergeant or lieutenant. Planning ahead is good, but fast forward is not. All of these roles depend on your mastery of the road patrol.

Consider reading Robert Greene’s book:Mastery“ and apply his principles to become a master in this realm. All your future plans depend on your mastery of being an excellent patrol officer. I have seen many bosses who did not know what they were doing, who lacked the respect of the common man, and who compensated for those shortcomings in various ways because deep down they knew they were not experts in the work they oversaw. I have seen many detectives who had never seen a felony interrogation, a jury trial, or even testified in court as a patrol officer, now seek search warrants or are assigned to sensitive investigations.

As for me, I spent 16 years in uniform: four years as an officer with the Atlanta Police Department and 12 years as a patrol officer with the New York State Police. There were a few special assignments mixed in, but the majority of that time was spent responding to 911 calls, proactively building criminal cases, testifying in court, and mastering patrol skills. This was the best decision I ever made because I never suffered from imposter syndrome when I became a supervisor and there was rarely a scenario where I had to ask one of my detectives to do something I hadn’t already done.

2. Look sharp, act sharp, be sharp

I’m stealing this line from the TV series “Southland.”

Look closely: In my experience, the most dissatisfied officers I worked with were the most incompetent and took no pride in their appearance. I think they didn’t feel good about themselves and projected that dissatisfaction onto the job.

Be alert: They didn’t exude self-confidence because they refused to learn more. When confronted with something new, they didn’t know the answer and acted like idiots instead of mastering the situation. It’s much easier to call something stupid or a waste of time than to find a way to persevere.

Be alert: By striving for mastery with a keen eye for growth and learning, you will showcase your developing skills in a way that will be noticed not only by the audience, but also by your peers.

3. No risk, no cookie

I borrowed this from NFL coach Bruce Arians. I’m not suggesting you be reckless with the safety of your officers or careless with the rules and regulations of your department, but rather keep your eyes open for adventure.

I remember going to the New York State Police Academy for six months. Early recruits had left advice on index cards hidden in the Bible in every room. The first card I found said, “Don’t graduate first, don’t graduate last, and never sign up for anything.” Don’t be that man/woman. Live a meaningful work life that you can be proud of.

4. Be selfless in service

Consider devoting a chapter or two of your career to work involving child exploitation, sexual abuse, or domestic violence. Once you have mastered patrol, these specialized units can be very taxing, but in my opinion, the most rewarding. Nothing compares to bringing perpetrators of child abuse, sexual abuse, or child exploitation to justice. You will never forget these arrests; they are my most memorable and satisfying.

5. Keep an eye on your ending and make sure it’s on your terms

I had more gas in the tank. I felt like I was at a master level in investigations and I was supervising the best unit in my agency. I had been named Supervisor of the Year and felt like I was at the top. But I learned a long time ago that staying at the top is not always guaranteed. Like John Elway or Jerome Bettis in football, it was very important to me to stay at the top and I felt like I was doing that. I have no regrets.

In conclusion, the American police officer has the best job in the world. It can be political, unfair, and discouraging at times. However, consider using these five steps and writing your chapter on this great profession. The end is sooner than you think — you won’t regret it!

NEXT: Watch this video and learn from Gordon Graham how to create a lasting legacy within law enforcement so your career has a positive and lasting impact.