Worth a Look: Sheriff builds kinder, gentler police force
Here is an interesting article that posted this week in the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune:
Sheriff builds kinder, gentler police force
Wood County Sheriff Thomas Reichert has a new, two-word policy that he wants every deputy in his department to adopt as a mantra: Be nice.
I feel pretty sure that just the words kinder and gentler found next to the word police can get a few hearts racing. Give this a read. He’s on the right track.
Think it could fly in your agency?
© 2015 DAVID A. LYONS
Justin Insalaco
This is the only direction we are going to continue to move.
Doug “Red” Parker
A good first step. However our current problems will not be solved by public relations professionals. Stronger and more inclusive selection criteria for recruits; more comprehensive training that includes de-escalation and emphasis on interpersonal communication; leaders who truly lead instead of posturing and following the traditional templates for managing police agencies. All of these will move policing into the new paradigm. Yes, be nice. Hire and train people who know how valuable this behavior is for building bridges with our communities. Select leaders who aren’t afraid to be creative, like this sheriff.
Ellen Brown
Absolutely. Treating people like I would like to be treated was the way I tried to conduct myself as a dispatcher and a representative of my department. That includes both the public and my coworkers. I do not believe it made me less effective at all.
Truth is the only way to operate, truth that bad people are bad. Truth that leaders should possess intestinal fortitude and honesty. Truth that race based agendas amongst those in authority and influence are wrong. Truth that we are all one people; Americans.
Being nice if you can is good, but not your job, your job is to meet people the way they meet you. If a person meets you with vile language you don’t have to reciprocate but you must be firm, being nice is not in that equation. This has gotten out of hand; Officers are in harm’s way; and the response from the upper echelon is capitulation in many cases. This will do nothing but in the end hurt those that need protection the most, the bad urban areas will become really bad urban war zones LEO’s will only be able to operate in them in mass and heavily armed and now those heavy armaments have been curtailed. That means that LEO just will not be able to go into these zones. The naiveté of those protesting now out of perception will be there downfall. But yes above all let’s be nice, and let’s get ready for those purple uniforms and cars.
I worked as an officer for 20 years in a large city. If I treated everyone the way they treated me I would be where they are, in jail. Most people do not have the professional demeanor and training of a police officer and did not agree to accept some of the emotional baggage they sometimes encounter during tense situations. Most people escalate, not de-escalate conflicts and use force to punish rather than protect. There were just too many amateurs in my city and I am a professional.
Well said Alan. The job has a long way to go in some places.
Robert Phillip
couldn’t agree with you more
James Barth
Excellent article by Sheriff Reichert. You’re right on spot Doug, thanks for sharing this David.
James Barth
A powerful article by Sheriff Reichert. Thanks for sharing this David.
Charles Craft
I always said the Criminal Justice System needs to be changed to the Victim’s Justice System.
Erik Voss
This is common sense, so I question the need for a formal policy. That being said, 99% of the time you should be nice. However, some people only respond to the 1% treatment.
Ed Barajas
It’s not (or shouldn’t be) about becoming kinder and gentler or even meaner and harsher. It should be about mission clarity and effectiveness. I agree with Erik that this is SOP and shouldn’t require a formal policy. I think it should be part of standard training for officers in basic communication and problem solving skills.
Quality management teaches that companies shouldn’t confuse being “nice” and “courteous” with good customer service/care. A customer can be given the run around by the most courteous staff being as nice as possible. I’m sure we’ve all experienced that. (“Your call is very important to us”….)
Will 911 dispatchers be required too answer calls in the all too common manner of many businesses? (Good afternoon. You’ve reached the emergency dispatch unit of the Roseville Police and Fire Departments, where we aim to protect and serve you always and at all times. My name is Jennifer. What is your emergency so that we can respond in the most expedient manner?)
Being nice is nice when dealing with people who respect being treated well. It is not in vogue with hardened criminals or repeat offenders of the law. While all public contact should be nice and improve the department’s image, it only takes one ugly image to bring out the liberal press and the street dogs. I support being nice and helping most of out general public, but be safe while doing so!
Thank you sheriff Reichert,
It is a welcomed relief that some still see our mission to protect and serve as a commitment to treat everyone with respect and dignity. Being nice does not mean being a fool in life threatening situations. Simply, it requires the honesty to treat everyone as if they were your chief’s son.
Scott May
Retired Lt. Jim Lombard wrote;
““Let me make this very clear: I believe that everyone in the law enforcement field should treat the vast majority of those they encounter with dignity and respect. That’s the foundation of this book, my philosophy as a supervisor, and the crux of my communication classes. Treating people with dignity and respect, regardless of their character, has far-reaching benefits. It’s how you get a confession, how you get information, how you calm the crazies, how you develop rapport, and often, it can even be a factor in thwarting an attack.”
In addition, I continued with a conversation I had with one of my officers: “I want you to bend over backwards for most people. Listen to their complaints; understand their emotions; realize that even if they only had their bike stolen, it’s a major emotional issue for them. So empathize — treat them the way you’d like your mother treated. But I also want you to realize that there are sociopaths and psychopaths out there. You have to know the difference between a citizen in need of assistance and a predator. Treat them with dignity and respect, but you have to have it in your head that you may have to kill them.”