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06-27-05, 12:35 PM
First off, Congratulations to all of you. I wish you all luck in your careers. Now I would like to offer a few pointers to help your transition go as smoothly as possible. Most of the things JoeyD has covered in other threads, but I thought I would offer it from the perspective of a more recent graduate:
1. You have a good foundation for the knowledge of the law, and procedures, but your true learning will begin very shortly. Keep an open mind, and be eager to learn in the months & years ahead.
2. When you report to your commands, do not show up BUFFED out. Unless they specifically tell you otherwise at your Borough orientation, you should show up in your issued uniforms, with your gun belt reflecting the patrol guide.
3. Do not do what some of my fellow graduates did, and start calling Lieutenants LOU, or DUDE, or Brother......maintain your academy discipline as far as that goes, and stick with Sir or Ma'am for the time being.
4. Keep yourself squared away......uniforms, clean shaven, hair neatly groomed.
5. This is probably the biggest point........dealing with officers with time on. Whether they have 2 years on or 22 years on, remember that they have been through more than you up to this point. DO NOT quote the patrol guide to them when you happen to handle the same jobs.....do not OFFER THEM ADVICE on what you think we should do to handle it (unless you are asked). Be respectful to them.........don't kiss their asses, but remember you have to earn your "stripes" so to speak......you have to earn their respect. Like they told you in the academy, fly under the radar......don't draw unnecessary negative attention to yourself.
6. Finally, be motivated to work. Don't be afraid to make mistakes......they expect you to make mistakes, especially with paperwork and arrest processing. Don't let that keep you from working........the quicker you get your feet wet, the quicker you will start to get a grasp of what the job entails.
You guys are joining a great organization (in my opinion). I love the job, and I learn something new everyday. I hope you all understand and appreciate what the thousands of officers before you have done.........and know that you are now part of that. Enjoy it and respect it.
Feel free to message me if you have any more specific questions, etc.
Again, Congratulations !!
1. You have a good foundation for the knowledge of the law, and procedures, but your true learning will begin very shortly. Keep an open mind, and be eager to learn in the months & years ahead.
2. When you report to your commands, do not show up BUFFED out. Unless they specifically tell you otherwise at your Borough orientation, you should show up in your issued uniforms, with your gun belt reflecting the patrol guide.
3. Do not do what some of my fellow graduates did, and start calling Lieutenants LOU, or DUDE, or Brother......maintain your academy discipline as far as that goes, and stick with Sir or Ma'am for the time being.
4. Keep yourself squared away......uniforms, clean shaven, hair neatly groomed.
5. This is probably the biggest point........dealing with officers with time on. Whether they have 2 years on or 22 years on, remember that they have been through more than you up to this point. DO NOT quote the patrol guide to them when you happen to handle the same jobs.....do not OFFER THEM ADVICE on what you think we should do to handle it (unless you are asked). Be respectful to them.........don't kiss their asses, but remember you have to earn your "stripes" so to speak......you have to earn their respect. Like they told you in the academy, fly under the radar......don't draw unnecessary negative attention to yourself.
6. Finally, be motivated to work. Don't be afraid to make mistakes......they expect you to make mistakes, especially with paperwork and arrest processing. Don't let that keep you from working........the quicker you get your feet wet, the quicker you will start to get a grasp of what the job entails.
You guys are joining a great organization (in my opinion). I love the job, and I learn something new everyday. I hope you all understand and appreciate what the thousands of officers before you have done.........and know that you are now part of that. Enjoy it and respect it.
Feel free to message me if you have any more specific questions, etc.
Again, Congratulations !!