Things I wish somebody had told me.

As I look at you, the ready-to-graduate law enforcement officers here today, I'm trying to decide what I can say that would be helpful to you. My career in policing certainly would have been less painful and even more satisfying if somebody had told me a few important things when I started this job 36 years ago. Those things are what I want to share with you today, hoping that you can avoid hitting some of those rough spots in the road that many of us old-timers have hit. And, as I look at some of my colleagues here today with just a touch of gray showing, I think they will attest to the truth of what I have to say.

Do not take yourself too seriously. Laughter--at the appropriate times--can help you survive on this job. A healthy police organization is one where you can hear a lot of laughter. No one wants to work at a place where everybody looks and sounds miserable all the time, so do your part.

Remember everything we taught you about officer safety, but realize that most people are not going to try to kill or hurt you. Some of them actually like cops. Most folks are not bad guys, so once you have determined that you are not in danger, it is perfectly all right to smile and loosen up a little. It feels better, too.

When in doubt, ask yourself how you would like to be treated if the roles were reversed. Or, how would you like for your mother, spouse, or child to be treated by someone wearing that uniform? I call this the "Golden Rule" of policing. Try your best to follow it.

Do not try to be a crime buster 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. First, it will wear you out. Second, 24-hours crime crushers sometimes get themselves into situations they should not. Use common sense when deciding to intervene directly, perhaps, to save a life. Realize that sometimes the smartest thing you can do is call 911 and be an excellent witness.

Identify someone you can talk to about your biggest worries and your darkest fears. For some people, that may be a spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, parent, or peer with whom you feel comfortable. But, make sure you are talking to someone about those stresses and perplexities at work. If you try to keep it all inside, eventually, you will explode.

Do not try to totally shield your loved ones from what is going on at work. If you do, you may only succeed in worrying them when you come home "acting differently." A spouse may assume there is someone else. You do not have to relate every detail of a grisly story troubling you, but do let them know what is bothering you. They just might be able to help.

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Be careful who you emulate. It is perfectly natural that, sometimes, a new officer wants to be "just like my training officer." But, realize you never can be anyone but yourself. That is good enough. Put together the kind of officer you want to be by assembling the best parts of several veterans you have observed in action. Then, make your own improvements in the way they operate.

Assume that until and unless they prove otherwise, you can trust the wisdom and decisions of your supervisors. As a rookie, I was convinced that my sergeant's foremost goal in life was to keep me from having any fun. Now, many years later, I realize that he was trying to keep me out of trouble at the same time he was helping me learn. It is amazing how much smarter he has gotten over the years. Please trust us. I think you will find that we rarely let you down.

Watch out for that dangerous 3-to 5-year mark when you think you have all the answers. The truth is, you probably do not. If you survive that risky period, you almost certainly will recognize that law enforcement is a field where you never have all the answers. Try to keep learning throughout your career.

Realize that good ends never justify bad means. Do not cheat. It is as simple as that. Excessive force, for example, is never all right, no matter how evil the criminal. Always follow the rules; it is the right thing to do.

Accept the fact that people will seek you out, on duty and off, for your opinions. Enjoy the attention. You are doing something special that people who make a lot more money than you do find exciting and interesting. Granted, you may not enjoy the interruption when you are trying to have a dinner break at the local diner. But, try to be patient and enjoy being an "expert."

Step back and look at yourself from time to time. Are you getting badge heavy? All of us who have been on the job awhile have known both men and women who fit the description. If you find yourself becoming a victim of that syndrome, lighten up a little.

Realize that you truly are part of a cause. Few people are today. As corny as it may sound, you really are part of the "thin blue line" that stands between the good people and those who would victimize them. That's why most of us pinned on the badge in the first place, so do not be ashamed to admit it.

If you ever cease to enjoy what you are doing at least most of the time, get out of the work. Every now and then, I have to tell that to a police officer. Some people simply are not cut out to do this job. That does not mean anything is wrong with them; they simply would be happier doing something else. Life is too short to be unhappy. It would be unusual if every one of you here today is meant to spend a whole career in this job. If you sense over time that this career is not what you expected, do not hesitate to make a change. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones.

Always listen to the little voice--your common sense telling you that if you do something or fail to do something, you are liable to get into trouble or worse. It is the same little voice that you should have listened to as a kid but, generally, did not. Oftentimes, you later wished you had. If it feels wrong, it probably is.

As we taught in the academy, try to forget what the television shows tell you about how cops are supposed to act. I saw a television show where the cop's wife was telling somebody, "He needs the booze and extra women to take the edge off." Do not believe the fiction. Be strong enough to be your own person.

Use the video camera test. If a camera was recording what you are doing or thinking about doing and your loved ones were watching the program, would you still be comfortable doing it? Act on what your conscience tells you. It is your best guideline for the middle of that dark, lonely night when no one but you may ever know what you do. Never forget who we work for and why we are here. We do, after all, have customers--they are why we are here. Some of them are sitting with us today. In many cases, they pay the taxes and foot the bills. We always owe them our best.

You have just received a free, front-row seat to the greatest show on earth. All three rings are full most of the time. Enjoy the show. Have fun--appropriately--in the best job in the world. Few people will get to do what you are doing.

Do not be in a rush to leave the greatest position in law enforcement. Many veteran officers will tell you that their first position as a uniformed patrol officer was the most fun they had in law enforcement. I agree with them. You can learn and accomplish a great deal there. May each of you have a safe, enjoyable, and contributing law enforcement career.

By Gerald W. Garner, M.A.J.

Chief Garner of the Fort Lupton, Colorado, Police Department delivered this speech at the graduation ceremony of the Red Rocks Community College Law Enforcement Academy in Lakewood, Colorado, on April 16, 2005.