Building Confidence and Competence as a New Officer
By Sheronda Grant
Becoming a police officer is a significant achievement. Many are called, but few are chosen for this profession. If done right, an officer can positively impact the lives of hundreds of individuals over the course of their career. Conversely, if an officer takes the wrong path, he or she can inflict harm on members of their community, end their career by termination, and face legal litigation. Also, misconduct can lead to an officer not only tarnishing their badge but also negatively impacting their organization’s reputation, along with the reputation of everyone who wears the badge, has worn the badge, or who will wear the badge in the future.
KNOW YOUR WHY
To stay grounded, you must know your “WHY.” Either know the “WHY” behind your decision to become a law enforcement professional or know the “WHY” behind your decision to remain a law enforcement professional. Documenting your “WHY” in a journal is a beneficial option to consider. Journaling allows you to note your experiences and the emotions surrounding those experiences. Journaling also allows you to reflect on those situations at a later time. Noting your “WHY” in writing provides you with a reminder of WHY you joined law enforcement or WHY you stay in law enforcement.
Blue Leatherette Journal
If your WHY is for a purpose greater than yourself, reflecting on it from time to time will encourage you to keep going during periods of adversity. As you grow in the profession, your WHY may change. My WHY has evolved several times throughout my career. When I started as an 18-year-old intern, I needed a job that would help me pay for college. My purpose was for “I” and “me.” During this period, there were several times that I wanted to quit. When I became an officer, I saw the good that I could do in my community. My “WHY” shifted from being about a paycheck to pay for college and turned into my purpose. My “WHY” again changed with each assignment and each position of authority that I held. Throughout my role transitions as a sworn member, although I overcame various challenges, my “WHY” has never been about me. I believe this is how I have been able to have a positive impact in the communities I’ve served and in the careers of the individuals I’ve worked with and have mentored.
If you have recently joined our profession, thank you for answering the call to serve. In the initial stages of law enforcement, it is important to understand that challenges will arise, which could test your abilities and your commitment to the profession. Although these challenges are not insurmountable, they may sometimes seem overwhelming.
OVERCOME THE FEELING OF INADEQUACY
New officers may experience the challenge of feeling inadequate due to their limited experience. Trust me, many of us have felt this way at some point in our career. After making mistakes as a rookie, I starkly remember being embarrassed, feeling as if I was deficient and as if I wasn’t good enough to do the job. For those of you who may feel as if you aren’t good enough, be patient with yourself and give yourself grace. Understand that you will not have every answer or know how to handle every assignment properly within the first year or within the first few years.
Police Woman Journal
It takes several years of experience and intentional learning for an officer to have a good grasp of organizational procedures, state laws, city ordinances, and the overall culture of a specific police organization that one is employed by. When you make mistakes, instead of beating yourself up, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this situation so that I don’t make the same mistake twice?” Remember that it is okay to be upset with yourself; however, you shouldn’t dwell on negative experiences but instead learn from them.
SEEK OUT METHODS TO BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE
As a rookie, I knew that I would make mistakes; however, knowing that missteps were inevitable did not make the process easier for me. I decided that gaining additional experience early on would help alleviate my sense of inadequacy. While I could not extend the duration of my tenure, I focused on increasing my experiences as a new officer. I believed that by signing up to work overtime, before or after my shift, I could increase my repetitions when investigating calls for service and handling other assignments. By constantly exposing myself to several interactions with the public, I improved my knowledge base and skill set. Although I still made mistakes from time to time, I found that by having multiple repetitions, my confidence increased.
BUILD A NETWORK OF TRUSTED COLLEAGUES
Having an expansive network of officers that I could trust and rely on for dependable advice (including my mother, who was also a cop) greatly assisted in my development. It also helped that I had two FTOs who taught me what they knew. After field training, I remained humble and didn’t mind asking questions. Most of the veterans that I worked with led me in the right direction. Of course, there were a few who were not interested in providing guidance, but for the most part, my coworkers were supportive.
Building a network of trusted members is key to your success. When seeking guidance, be sure that the person providing you with information is knowledgeable and has a good reputation. When you don’t know how to properly handle an assignment, being able to call a seasoned member who will take time to walk you through a complex investigation is essential when you are on solo patrol. Also, ask your administrative and civilian coworkers for guidance if you need it. I’ve found that most of my civilian coworkers had a wealth of knowledge and didn’t mind sharing information.
SET ATTAINABLE GOALS
Another tip that may increase your skill level and competence is to set small attainable goals that will help you expand your understanding of the job. For instance, if you’re struggling with report writing, seek guidance from your supervisor or trusted peer to identify the areas that are challenging you. Volunteer to take on similar assignments that require similar report writing styles. While writing your report, diligently focus on the area that you need the most improvement in. If possible, before submitting the report, ask a supervisor or that trusted peer to proofread your report and point out any errors. Set a timeframe of when you believe you should be able to accomplish the goal on your own. For instance, “In 30 days, I will be able to write a detailed narrative of a theft report.” The more reports that you write correctly, the more your confidence will improve. Consider applying this method to other areas that challenge you.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Remember that you are good enough and that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. - (Philippians 4:13)
You will make mistakes so give yourself grace.
After making a mistake, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this situation so that I don’t make the same mistake in the future?”
Build a trusted network of sworn and civilan employees who will lead you in the right direction.
Ask to work additional hours or specific assignments to build your repetitions.
Attempt to increase the number of repetitions that you receive in the area you struggle in to boost your confidence.
Seek guidance from a supervisor or trusted peer for assistance.
If you have other ideas or suggestions for new officers, be sure to leave them in the comment section.
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