Not a shift goes by in a police officer’s life without an encounter with bullshit. It is everywhere. Most of us are confident of our ability to recognize bullshit and avoid being taken in by it, and most of us contribute our share, but in general we tend to take the situation for granted and the phenomenon has not aroused much concern. But we have no clear understanding of what bullshit is, why there is so much of it, and what purpose it serves. Harry Frankfurt, a retired university professor Read more [...]
Archive for the ‘Policing’ Category
March 4th, 2013
Managing the Aftermath
Posted in Leadership, Management, Policing, Public Image 
Tags: commander's role, critical incident, media, public image, public opinion, risk management, trauma
Tags: commander's role, critical incident, media, public image, public opinion, risk management, traumaThe aftermath of a critical incident poses almost as many hazards as the event itself, yet there is a great temptation to relax when the immediate danger has passed. This is a serious mistake. In the wake of a critical incident such as an armed and barricaded person the police service that fails to prepare for the aftermath is taking an unwarranted risk. There are a few simple but critical elements for avoiding problems: Prepare a back-up investigative team The first exposure to risk occurs Read more [...]
February 5th, 2013
Charter of Responsibilities
Posted in Community policing, Policing Tags: attitude, Charter of Responsibilities, motivation, social contract
Tags: attitude, Charter of Responsibilities, motivation, social contractTowards the conclusion of writing Parting Shots I attempted to sum up some beliefs about sustaining the civil society, a goal intrinsically related to public policing. The concept that rights are earned through responsibilities is fundamental to maintaining a peaceful and well-ordered society. The following excerpt from the text is reproduced for the convenience of casual visitors to this blog: From PARTING SHOTS – PAGE 306-307 A democratic society has decisions to make in maintaining Read more [...]
January 7th, 2013
The Lexicology of Policing
Posted in Policing, Public Image Tags: attitude, female police officers, organizational culture, police jargon, public image, standards of conduct
Tags: attitude, female police officers, organizational culture, police jargon, public image, standards of conductA young woman hoping to join a major Canadian police service told me of her puzzlement at being rejected at the preliminary interview stage on grounds that she was not sufficiently “aggressive.” Our encounter was brief but I could not help but notice that she was of relatively small stature, did not carry herself with confidence and was soft spoken. Understandably, the interviewer concluded that she did not conform to the desired characteristics of a self-assured and confident candidate. Read more [...]
December 24th, 2012
Beyond Problem Solving
Partnerships, problem solving and organizational transformation are the three key components of community policing. Collaborative community problem solving is a hallmark achievement of progressive police services in the modern era, spawning an industry of practitioners, consultants, conferences and social technology. Much good was done, and will continue to be done through the practise of problem solving at the neighbourhood and community level. And yet – perhaps we are missing Read more [...]
December 10th, 2012
Risk, Ruin and Redemption
Posted in Policing, Professionalism, Public Image Tags: discipline, morale, professionalism, risk taking
Tags: discipline, morale, professionalism, risk takingFor all the emphasis on recruiting police officers who want to serve and are genuinely devoted to helping the community in a sensitive and thoughtful way, many of the best candidates – and current officers – remain powerfully attracted to the excitement and unpredictability of the job. For the adventurous of spirit, encounters with the unexpected and exposure to risk has genuine appeal. While collaborative problem solving and community building is now a vital part Read more [...]
August 22nd, 2012
The quest for perfection and the doctrine of “Good Enough”
Posted in Policing, Professionalism, Public Image Tags: discipline, morale, police criticism, police violence, professionalism, public image, standards of conduct, You Tube
Tags: discipline, morale, police criticism, police violence, professionalism, public image, standards of conduct, You TubeCanadian figure skater Elizabeth Manley entered the 1988 Winter Olympics with little expectation of success. Battling illness, she nevertheless was in third place going into the long program. Against all odds, Manley gave the performance of her life and came within a fraction of a point of defeating the favourite, Katerina Witt. At the finale of her televised performance she lifted her face upwards and we could read her lips. She said, “Perfect.” I mused about perfection Read more [...]
