The Most Important Lessons I’ve Learned as a Police Officer

Police officers must learn how to react quickly in stressful situations. They need to be able to think clearly under pressure, and they need to be prepared for any situation that might arise.

Here are five life changing lessons I have learned during my career in law enforcement:

1- Be Prepared.

There are two things that police officers should never do while on duty: wait until the last minute to prepare, and not be prepared. Many people rely on their ability to deliver their tasks just on time or make quick decisions whenever they encounter a problem or a critical situation. You should always be prepared for any situation.

You might have a plan A, but you should always be ready for a plan B because the best laid plans often go awry. I have learned that your chance to prove yourself is coming someday but when you are ready for it.

In 2007 when I graduated from the academy, I thought I was prepared for whatever comes, especially after four years of training; however, in my first day in duty I realized that I needed a lot of training and to learn many things I didn’t know about. A year later I was deployed somewhere where danger was on the edge. The only reason for my survival back then was my preparation and training, physically and mentally.

2- Know Your Mission.

As a police officer, you must be able to respond quickly to any situation. This means knowing what you need to do before you arrive at the scene. It also means being well-trained so that you can react appropriately to whatever happens. Therefore, plan everything you do, set goals to achieve and determine the path you are going to take. That will save your time and energy and will reduce unnecessary mistakes.

In 2003 when I entered the police academy, I set a goal to myself which was to graduate after four years, then I set another goal to fulfill my dream job. After that, I raised the standard to myself to become a knowledgeable police officer and earned my master’s degree then a doctorate degree. The lesson is to always have a mission to achieve and never live a day without a clear and well-defined goal.

3- Know Your Team.

Being prepared is one thing; having the right tools is another. If you’re going into an active shooter situation, you’ll need to be well prepared for that. However, you cannot succeed alone. Sometimes life could be the worst shooter and no matter how heavy armed and well prepared you are, it will hit you as hard as it can.

Therefore, select your team wisely, know what they are capable of, build trust, develop strong relationships with each one of them because they are the ones you are going to rely on whenever needed.

I have seen a someone shielding his leader in a shooting situation, and others taking double shifts to cover their colleagues who had personal situations. I also have seen people who refused to be redeployed to better and more comfortable posts for the sake of their team and their leaders. That level of commitment cannot be taken for granted, there is an extraordinary relationship behind such sudden decisions and actions.

*Learn more about leadership here: Conceptualizing Leadership in the 21st-century organizations. – SKILLTECS

*What is the real difference between management and leadership? find out here: Another perspective in the leadership management dilemma – SKILLTECS

4- Know Yourself.

It’s easy to forget how much we rely on others or our equipment. We take it for granted until something goes wrong. That’s why it’s so important to know who you really are. Know your weaknesses and figure out how to turn them to strengths. That would never happen until you get out of your comfort zone and go after new opportunities and challenges.

In the early years of my career, I could not handle stress as well as I can now. I learned not to look away and to face my problems regardless how big and terrifying they are. Luckily, I had a mentor who helped me to determine the root cause of any problem I encounter and work on solve them fundamentally. That helped me to get over stress however, there are a lot to learn and to develop.

5- Know Your Environment.

If you’re going into an unknown situation, you need to know what you’ll find there. This means knowing where you’re going, who else will be there, and what kind of environment you’ll encounter. This is important to be well prepared for what you may face.

I was deployed in Darfur when I was a UN police advisor. Learning about the environment prior to deployment saved me from many critical situations if I did not take my time to understand the nature of the conflict in the area and the characteristics of the people who live there.

The lesson is your environment may be full of tactical advantages and opportunities as well as hazards and threats. For that, always scan your surroundings including senior management, colleagues, work environment, capabilities, and stake holders to know who you are dealing with and what you can or cannot do in such environment.

*Learn more about SWOT analysis here: How to Implement SWOT Analysis Like a Master. – SKILLTECS