To those who graduated, Congrats! Job well done. But lets clear up a few things. You can get pissed I am saying this or you can listen. Most of you know I care about the job and about each of you. I have helped most of you in some way. Most know I am on the money. Many do not like how "forward" I am. I don't like to sugar coat things and believe in saying it as it is the best way. With that said, here it goes.
a) You completed the NYPD academy. So have about 100,000 others. While it is an accomplishment, in the grand scheme of things, it means crap. You still have not done one day on this job yet nor have you seen it all. Keep that in mind. The academy is one thing, the precincts and street are another. They are different. Every cop has been through that academy. And to be honest, those who graduated just a few years ago and earlier had it a lot harder there than you. The academy was truly an academy and not community
college. Don't complain about your time there and don't ever say how hard it was.
b) The staff at the academy teach you what is legally correct and will not get yourself and the department sued. The cops at the precinct will teach you how to survive. Surviving is MORE IMPORTANT than getting sued. Listen to the cops. Anyone who has been on the job longer than you knows more. They have been there and done the job. The longer the cop has on, listen more and follow their advice with more detail. What you think is stupid may just save your life.
c) Do not preach anything to anyone. You don't know crap. You are in no position to help others or give advice. That will piss many other cops off. You are a rookie. Rookies don't know anything. Rookies ask for help and pay attention. They do not assume and they never say "But at the academy they taught...." or "I was told....."
d) Don't complain. You haven't earned the right. Twelve hours outside on a foot post? Tough luck. Try 36 hours at Ground Zero when you were RDO that day and nobody asked you to come in and work. You just did it. We all worked the long shifts. Your not the first and not the only one with plans or a life outside of work.
e) When OT is available, let senior guys grab it first. Many are retiring and the pension they will live off of is based on their last few years. Higher pay = higher pension. Respect the old cop and give him the OT shift. Don't make him ask for it and don't let him go without. When your time comes, you will get the same respect and have the OT.
f) Courtesy, Professionalism and Respect (CPR) should be given. But don't take crap from the public. Anyone touches you, and they get the cuffs put on and go to jail. The charge is OGA, Discon or Assault. Period. No breaks and no second chances. Touch a cop, you go to jail. If yo u let them off, the next cop who dies is on your shoulders. People don't go out today and shoot a cop. Sometime before they touched a cop and never were punished. They touch you, your partner or any other cop, you lock them up. No boss will ever argue otherwise.
g) You have OC and a baton. Don't be afraid to use them before you go to fists. If they bring a knife to a fight, don't try anything other then one thing: GUN!
h) Cops don't write cops in NY for minor offenses, etc... Period. No discussion. If they are an active or retired local cop, state police or federal agent, you say "Thank you, stay safe and have a nice day." Period. They have a badge and gun, they get the pass. Family with a PBA cards who can name the cop and precinct get the same pass. I am not talking about DWI's and shoplifters, etc..... No courtesy there. You do what you have to do. But we don't write each other or our families. If they do not know the specifics or claim to know Ray Kelly or anyone else, write the tag. Then "forget to turn it in" for 1 or 2 days. See if you get a call. If you do...see the next item. If not, turn the summons in.
i) Learn who your delegate is. You get a situation like above, call them! You get in any trouble or situations on patrol, call the union delegate!!!! If they are not available, learn who the senior cop on the tour is. Find out their assignment that tour. If you need them, call over the air "south portable 13 central, can you have south Charlie 85 me non-emergency at Broadway and 34th." The delegate or senior cops will know and come help you through your tough time.
j) Don't be a boss botherer. Don't call the boss unless you really need a boss! A boss will always give you the 100% patrol guide correct answer to protect themselves, the department and then you. All in that order. A senior cop will do what is best for YOU, the citizen involved, the boss and then department.
k) Be professional in your appearance. Buy decent stuff. Don't use rags. Polish your shoes and iron your pants. Look good. Image goes a long way. If you work in the day time, wear sunglasses. It protects your eyes and hides where you are looking.
l) Day tour or night tour, have a charged and good flashlight. Can be 12 noon in July when you find yourself in a Single Room Occupancy (SRO) with a DOA that has no power.
m) Have your penal law and VTL in your locker. Make up a "cheat sheet" of the most used codes on one piece of paper. Take it to a store and have it laminated. Rather than lug books on patrol, you will have it! Better yet, find a buff shop and buy a memo book insert from looseleaflaw.com. For $20 you can have every code to write any ticket you want!
n) Get a little travel tube of advil/aspiring from a travel section of a pharmacy. Empty the pills out. Fill it with Vicks Vapor Rub. Put it in your pocket and always have it. When your prisoner pukes or your stuck sitting with a rotting DOA who stinks, take it out. Put a big fat glob on your upper lip under you nose. Smell the sweetness of Vicks rather than human waste.
o) If your told to do something by another cop or boss and don't like it, shut-up and do it. Create an issue and you will find your locker on the roof.
p) Your poor, I know. But buy good boots. Buy boots that are leather, insulated and waterproof. They should be black. For the $200 it will cost, your feet will be grateful after 12 hours on a foot post in the projects! Don't skimp on boots!
q) You better always know where you are. Any time asked, no matter if on foot or in a car, know where you are. Know the road you are on and the cross-street you just passed. If you don't know where you are, you might as well call a taxi and go home for the shift. Anytime a cop asks, spit it out. Good cops will let you ride with them and ask you constantly.
r) We don't eat in restaurants We always take our food to go, and eat it at the station. People will bother you and ask questions if you stay there. Eat in the station where you can undress a little, get warm, and not worry about your safety.
s) Buy a rain cover for your police cap. You will be thankful the first time it rains!
t) Good cops will get CCRB's and complaints. Bad cops will get a lot. If your doing your job, you can't please everyone. Somebody will always be mad and some will complain. But what can they complain about if your were CPR?
u) Being a good cop is about learning to talk TO people. Don't talk DOWN to people. Even the homeless guy and crack dealer is a human. Treat them like one. There is one exception: When they touch a cop or try to hurt one. Then you treat them like the savage they are.
v) Always tell the truth in court and in your reports. No matter how bad it looks or sounds, the truth is the best answer. Don't compromise yourself to satisfy some citizen.
w) Don't steal, cheat, lie, etc... Don't do anything that will disgrace or tarnish the shield. You did a lot of work to earn it. And while you wear it, your securing health benefits and a pension for you to live on years after you stop doing this job. Is it worth losing a $50K pension over a $10 bill you found or see? NO! Never compromise yourself, your morals or values. Somebody is always watching, so act accordingly.
x) I know...you want to be verified. Get settled in your command first. Then PM me your full name, command, squad, tour you work, RDO's that week, T/S number, supervisors name and first five of your tax number. We will take care of it. It is not instant either. It may take 2-3 weeks. And if you PM me the second day at your command, and I call and they don't know you because 50 of you just got there...you will go to the bottom of the pile and wait till I get back to you. Just wait the 2 weeks to get settled and get the paperwork settled in and we can do it!
y) Remember: Keep your mouth shut, eyes wide open and listen.
z) This job will take you where want to go. Work hard. Take promotional tests, apply for units, etc ... But remember, before you do any other job in the department, you need to learn the basics of police work. And that takes 5 years or so. So learn all you can in that time, then move on.
Welcome to the greatest show on earth. You will never forget your first day and first arrest. Enjoy these days and back-up your brothers and sisters.
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