Was fronted off for the first time as a Sergeant

[realpolice]

I asked an officer how much longer she thought she would be tied up doing reports as our dispatch was calling for officers. She and her partner had been in for about 3 hours. There were about 5 other officers in the room typing reports as well. Anyway, she said "I'll be done when I'm done" and kept typing. However, I know this officer somewhat well and know that she's a little bit of a goof ball and always cracking jokes, very off the wall, so I didn't take it as someone who didn't know her would have. But the fact remained that I needed a more definitive answer. I said "I need an estimate, minutes, hours, what?" She said something like "I told you, I'll be done when I'm done." Now I was pissed and the whole room knew it as it got quiet. I said "You have until 10:00 PM. If its not done, save what you have and go back on the road."

I haven't had a chance to pull this officer aside, but I will when I go back. But she was clearly out of line and I'm going to tell her to never front me off in front of other officers again. Any opinions from supervisors here? I know I've taken a nice guy approach, but my message to her will be "do not mistake kindness for weakness."

[acreature]

I haven't had a chance to pull this officer aside, but I will when I go back. But she was clearly out of line and I'm going to tell her to never front me off in front of other officers again. Any opinions from supervisors here? I know I've taken a nice guy approach, but my message to her will be "do not mistake kindness for weakness."

Good call. Always in Private unless it's Praise is how I was brought through. Shows respect, even if sometimes it's not earned.

[greenlead]

I say this as an unpaid and unsworn supervisor: I think you handled it well. If I was going to go more in depth than just specifying a due time, I might've pulled her out into a hallway -- or a similar less-occupied location -- so I could correct her in the appropriate manner without having an audience.

[Old Trooper]

The way you handled it was okay, but I think it would have been better to deal with it right then and there....for instance, call her aside right after she fronted you and tell her what's up (away from her peers, of course)! In my opinion, if you let it get cold, your message gets lost. When you do confront her, make sure she knows, in no uncertain terms, that her behavior was unacceptable. Good luck!

[Norm357]

You should have zapped her with your Tazer.:D

[sparty]

I think if you had pulled her aside privately right then everyone else in the room would have known your not going to take crap from people. Now they may be wondering. Although the fact you gave her a definate time to be done in front of everyone probably helps.

That's one of the hard things about being a supervisor of people you used to work with. Some of your new subordinates now think they can push you and get away with more because they were your buddies.

[Samuel]

You might want to have someone else, perhaps a female sergeant, be present when you talk to her next and choose your words carefully. SEEMS like too many LEOs these days are quick to play the race card or gender card or file complaints for sexual harassment or prejudice or hostile work environment, ETC ETAL AD NAUSEAM! (and they're also not above filing FALSE allegations...) Also SEEMS like there are way too many LEOs with the "my sh1t don't stink" or "you can't teach me sh1t" attitudes running around... :rolleyes:

[Big Sexy]

You might want to have someone else, perhaps a female sergeant, be present when you talk to her next and choose your words carefully. SEEMS like too many LEOs these days are quick to play the race card or gender card or file complaints for sexual harassment or prejudice or hostile work environment, ETC ETAL AD NAUSEAM! (and they're also not above filing FALSE allegations...)

BIG thinks this be good advice.

[TXCharlie]

Supervisors are so sensitive and easily bruised :D

Just kidding - once may just be her letting off steam, but twice indicates an underlying problem that needs to be addressed, IMHO, and it's probably got nothing to do with reports. I've shall we say "dabbled" in supervisin' enough to know I'd rather not do it because of stuff like this.

I think your plan to confront it privately is a good one - She'll feel disarmed and not so cocky without an audience to cheer her on. Can't speak to the lawsuit factor... You could always plop a tape recorder on the desk in front of her like they do on NYPD Blue :D

[Norm357]

So no one else thought the Tazer idea was any good?:confused:





:D

[Darin]

Well I think you handled it well J. But definately let her know that it will NOT happen again.

Samuel had great advise.


All this is from a non supervisory grunt so take it for what it's worth. :D

[TXCharlie]

So no one else thought the Tazer idea was any good?:confused:

lol :p

[O'Gee]

Just expalin to her that she can not continue to act that way when its time to tend to the real work. If she has a problem with that then you need to explain that your kindness and respect for her as a fellow officer is not to be mistaken for weakness or stupidity. If she continues then i suggest you open up a can of whoop-***.....or a whole case of it. Put the foot down and dont be afraid of people who act like children , she might just be testing boundaries.

[chaser]

I'm sorry to disagree but if you disrespect me in front of an audience twice I'm afraid the audience would witness the wrath.

With that said I know two wrongs don't make a right but I would not disrespect any Officer much less a supervisor in private much less in front of others without ducking and waiting for the response so I think you were being tested and you did better than I could have done.

[Mike Romeo]

Jason, I just noticed that you posted this in the public forum.

I've taken my comments to PM.