Virginia Tech or mental health: Sign of the times?

The recent shootings at Virginia Tech University is without a doubt one of the most unsettling situations in a very long while. The reason(s) behind the student's killing of his classmates will take some time to unravel. However, a preliminary review of this matter revealed that this student was truly angry at something or someone. Is it fair to blame his inability to cope with his internal strife? Yeah, maybe. Is it fair to blame his fascination with weapons? Yeah, maybe. But if we can't ascribe direct blame to him, without all the facts, then where can we place the blame? All the signs were there. Students and teachers reported his strange behavior to the authorities, but nothing was done. Does it matter that a person wants to keep to himself? Not really. Does it matter that a student writes a really bizarre screen play for an English course? Not really. However, the signs were there for someone to at least pull him to the side and find out what was going on.

It is very convenient to play Monday morning quarterback, but the signs were there. The campus police department was tasked with providing security for the university students. The fact that the initial student killing took place hours before the mass killing opens the police department up for public criticism. The decision made by the police chief and president of the university to keep the university open will probably get them removed from their positions. There will inevitably be numerous lawsuits filed on behalf of the deceased.

As a nation can we say that we have learned something from this terrible incident? The news media will run this story for the next week or so and we will be glued to our televisions to find out more about the killer. The law enforcement pundits will come out of the wood work to critique the security on college campuses. Yet, have we learned anything from this incident? Until we seriously address the issue of mental health, we can expect similar situations to occur. There are some mentally ill individuals living in our society who have not been properly diagnosed. Copycat crimes will like this one will keep colleges and universities in a state of terror. Legislation will be drafted to question the right to bear arms, but it will be defeated by the lobbyist. The call for more firearms will be bandied about by the NRA and their supporters. But will there be a call for mental health legislation or lobbyist championing this cause? A resounding no. So, please do not feel shocked if this type of event occurs again...it is just a sign of the times.

"I MUS" talk about this incident

The recent statements made about the Rutgers women's basketball team by Don Imus were reprehensible and disturbing. That a grown man feels the need to speak about college aged women disrespectfully shows that he needs to grow up. Imus was totally wrong and the initial two week suspension should have sufficed. Unfortunately, his bosses saw differently and ultimately fired him. The damage is done and for all intent and purpose Imus is gone. However, the real problem still exists in the black community.

The fact that rappers call black and Latino women bitches and ho's on a daily basis is even more problematic. Yet, they get a pass and are able to make a substantial amount of money off of this rude behavior. Black community leaders need to stand up and be recognized for the true hypocrites that they are. When will the days of crying wolf stop? Black people cannot cry foul every time someone hurts their feelings. There are ways to rectify egregious situations, but this was not one of those situations. It was a failed attempt at some off colored humor that went noticeably wrong. Is Imus regretful? You better believe that he is. Should he have been fired? No way.


Let's keep it real and move on.

What they won't teach you in the police academy

To all the brave men and women who choose to put on a police uniform, I applaud you for selecting an exciting career. To say that your lives will not dramatically change would be disingenuous. The fact that you chose law enforcement as a career path speaks volumes about you as an individual. Some believe that police work is a calling based on what they have experienced while growing up. Of course, our experiences are divergent, but universally, law enforcement officers want to help others. However, there are some who made the determination to enter law enforcement based on other factors. It would be incredibly ignorant not to assume that some have chosen this career for ulterior motives.

As can be expected, the law enforcement profession bestows an exceedingly high level of societal power upon its occupants. This power is so overwhelming that it can be intoxicating. It should not come as a surprise that some individuals were bullied as youths and chose this profession to exact revenge. Others have had family members who were police officers, and they want to follow in their footsteps. Then there are those who got into this profession by happenstance.

Much of the foundation for law enforcement is learned in the police academy. Instructors will run the police recruit through the gauntlet of physical training and the academic maze. Those that have the intestinal fortitude to endure the numerous mind games and physical pain will ultimately graduate and be thrust into a world of an increasing adrenaline rush. Words will not be able to describe the pulsating feeling of power that comes with the territory. However, with that power comes responsibility, which some police officers never seem to grasp.

The first few months on the job will make your head spin. Depending on what community you are assigned will depend on your level of involvement. Also, not to be forgotten is the person that is assigned to teach you the ropes. The choices are very slim. Either you will get the senior guy who is just biding his time before retirement, or you will get the squared away young officer. Regardless, the message will be “forget what they taught you in the academy; I am going to teach you the right way to do police work.”

The groups of men and women that you are going to be working with will become the most important people in your life, aside from your immediate family. To some, this new group will become your immediate family. There are going to be days you feel like talking about how your day went, and your family members just won’t get it. Fortunately, the officers on your squad will and the invitation to go out for a cocktail will follow.

Initially, the socializing after work should not pose an immediate problem. The act of winding down and sharing can be therapeutic. In most cases, this camaraderie builds strong bonds for a high-stress occupation. However, in some cases, addictive personalities will prevail, and that innocuous drink after work can turn into a lifetime of alcoholism.

Drinking and law enforcement seems to go hand in hand. Not being able to “handle” your alcohol will inevitably get you harassed and harangued by your colleagues. Probably, the most critical social decision is whether to give into the pressure, i.e., become a functioning alcoholic or to remain the inexperienced social drinker. Either decision will have a lasting impression on your law enforcement career. If you choose to up the ante and drink more, you welcome a lifetime of problems. Divorce, alcoholism, insolvency, health issues, loss of jobs, driving while under the influence and possible death are some of the downfalls. If you choose to remain responsible, you can reasonably expect a long and fruitful career. Barring any unforeseen job-related injuries, you can look forward to a stable relationship with a significant other, decent health and an opportunity to retire with a full pension.

As you move on with your career, many opportunities will avail themselves. Most people believe that opportunities within law enforcement are limited. However, some agencies have up to one hundred and twenty different specialties to include forensics, ballistics, arson, bomb squad, etc. Knowing what you want to get involved in is just half the battle of becoming a police officer. Preparing yourself for involvement in your field is a greater hurdle.

Promotion and specialist assignment are two of the most competitive areas in law enforcement. I have only known a few “unique” individuals who did not care about getting promoted or attaining a specialist assignment. The sign of success in law enforcement should come from the impact you have made on the job or in the lives of the citizens you have come contacted. However, in police reality, the actual measure of success is the rank you hold within the predominately paramilitary organization. The titles within the law enforcement profession vary from patrol officer, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, deputy chief and chief. The names and titles differ but typically follow the structure as mentioned above. In municipal and county level departments, the usual course of promotion entails taking a civil service test. The thought of taking a test to ensure upward mobility can be intimidating for some officers. The process of preparation for the actual test is where most officers are weeded out. Those that want the next promotion will prepare themselves properly. Study groups are formed, and the test is broken down into the different components. Hours upon hours are spent in preparation. A lot of personal sacrifices are made. Hopefully, in the long run, it would have all been worth it.

After the promotion is attained, the recipient is thrust into a new realm. The old days of hanging out and just being one of the boys are over. The new responsibilities include supervising your colleagues. This new position can make for a difficult transition. What responsibility does management have to ensure that the new supervisor succeeds? This is often the question that is asked but never seriously addressed. Management has the sole responsibility of preparing the new supervisor. Mentoring should begin the day they promote the supervisor. However, because many departments are so small and close knit, it is taken for granted that the new supervisor is ready. The only time management is aware a problem exists when personal relationships begin to deteriorate, and complaints are filed. At this point, damage control must take place. Hopefully, the issues can be resolved and litigation has not been explored

In most cases, especially in smaller departments, issues can be resolved. Conversely, in bigger departments issues fester due to the many levels of bureaucracy, and ultimately lawsuits are filed. The line has been drawn in the sand, the gloves have been removed, and the fight is on. Unfortunately, the complainant will have to endure retaliation, a hostile work environment, lack of promotion, and the possibility of termination before the lawsuit gets to court. Be very mindful that once you decide to take on the “giant” that all bets are off and you’d better watch your back.

It may appear that you have a few sympathetic ears and some verbal support. In most cases, you will be ostracized and find yourself alone on an island wondering what the hell did you get yourself into and why. The old days of being happy and looking forward to going to work are all but over. Your new life will be filled with possible depression, seclusion, sleepless nights, medication and psychological therapy. If you are married, you can count on having less sex, diminished family intimacy, arguments with family members and possible suicidal ideation.

If you are fortunate to have saved some money, you may be able to sustain your current standard of living. You may also be able to deal with the stress, but this is not normally the case. Either the city or the state government funds the greater entity, “the department”. Monies are set aside for lawsuits, and the onus is on the complainant, a.k.a., “YOU” to stay in the game. You must be acutely aware that the giant will attempt to wear you down and deplete your savings. This is their plan for you daring to challenge their authority. Who do you think you are? You are the most important person in your department because you are challenging the system that wants to maintain the status quo. The status quo does not perpetuate the change needed in law enforcement.

So what else won’t they tell you once you leave the academy? I would venture to say that management would not inform you that you are just a number and they will make your life difficult. Yes, some will go through their career without having had any serious problems with their bosses. However, human behavior will dictate that you will “piss off” someone and they will attempt to exact revenge against you. A lot of the bosses are just miserable individuals. They have gotten this way by coming up through the same dysfunctional system, and they know no better. Also, the system is set up to protect the bosses and screw the worker. This may appear to be a very cynical view, but if you were to ask most police officers, especially those who are not the chosen ones, you would find that this is the overall sentiment.

You may ask yourself how these individuals can go from being your friend and drinking buddy to the ultimate “jackass.” I believe that as police officers move up into the management ranks, they want to leave their mark. Some will initiate programs that benefit the community. Some will try to please everyone. Then you have those who will listen to the decision makers and do their bidding and attempt to keep everyone in line. A lot of these individuals are lonely and insensitive. They are not happy with themselves or their family lives. The only way to appear important is to bully others. Often they were bullied when they were growing up. Moreover, the uniform and the job are their only identity. They put the job ahead of everything and everyone. I believe the initial metamorphosis takes place while in the police academy. The instructors make you feel like you are special and that the job is everything. At no time did they inform you that you are an individual. You are always to consider yourself as a part of the team. The team is where you derive your power, and the team comes first. If and when you get on the team, you must perpetuate the team concept at all cost. You will undoubtedly ruin some friendships that took years to nurture. However, in your zest to make it, you will stab people in the back and believe me they will not forget it.

The recurring theme noticed as people move up the ladder is that idiots come in all races and both genders. Since policing is a predominately white male profession, you will observe all others partaking in the same behavior and mannerisms. You would think that as African-American, Hispanics, Asians, and women move up the ladder of success that they would have compassion and empathy for those who are still in the struggle. There are some who will remain faithful to themselves, but it is rare that this occurs. Each group is unique and needs to be addressed independently so that over generalization does not occur.

African-Americans have a history of struggle regarding integration. Their plight has been well documented. The first African-American police officer would roll over in his grave if he knew what is going on. There are a lot of African-American police officers that suffer from “double marginality.” They are torn between being an African-American, who is responsible to their community, and being a police officer trying to fit into the profession. For whatever reason, many African-American choose the latter. It is rather disturbing to see this transformation due in part to the inherent racism that is prevalent in this criminal justice system. So why does it happen?

As previously noted, rank is the determining factor that says you have made it in law enforcement. African-American officers have to fight for any gains that they have achieved. Some will be martyrs and never get the recognition. Others will get promoted just because a black body is needed to fill a spot. Make no mistake about it; African-American police officers will never get the respect and admiration that their white counterparts receive as a matter of fact. Sure, you might get a chief of police, who just happens to be black, but you must understand who will be pulling his or her strings. Is this to say that all African-American’s sell out? No, that would be irresponsible to posit such a notion. It is challenging to find a handful that has the sincere conviction to stand up for what is right. However, can you blame them? It is a tough road to traverse if you are fighting the machine. Numerous lawsuits have been filed, and the individuals, who have caused all of the problems, are never held accountable for their actions. It is the organization and department that will ultimately bear the responsibility of settling the lawsuit. Oh by the way, if you did not know it, taxpayers like you and I will eventually pay that bill.

Now, one of the most secretive group of police officers is the Hispanics. The Hispanic police officers are a quiet and unassuming group. Never one to yell discrimination or racism, they are often diligent workers who very seldom complain. Is this a problem? Without a doubt! There is strength in numbers. Today it's me, and it could be you tomorrow. They are held back as well as any other minority, yet they won’t complain. I cannot imagine being slapped in the face and not saying something. Hopefully, their next slap will leave a mark, and they will feel the pain. I would be remiss if I did not mention that Hispanics are no different from African-American police officers when they make it to the top. Some forget where they come from and fail to do the right thing. Again, based on the tremendous pressure to succeed and retire with a good pension, can you blame them as well?

The next group is women. You must give them a lot of credit for wanting to get involved in this sexist, racist, and homophobic profession. I would venture to say they are less appreciated than the aforementioned minority groups. However, what is so unusual about women police officers is that they know how to band together regardless of their differences. Their ascendancy to upper ranks of management far exceeds other groups. Fortunately for them, they stress the upward mobility of females and do not mask their feelings. They can easily get management to listen to them and respond to their needs. However, it is unfortunate that they take on the same macho persona once they get in control. It is not a particularly flattering trait, but they did not become police officers to look pretty for the cameras. So do not expect them to be anything other than a police officer. So are they any better than their colleagues? Some are but then again this is law enforcement, and the nature of the profession dictates how they act as well. The one thing that I will say to women police officers, whatever you do, please do not sleep with anyone on the job unless you plan on marrying them. If not, once you cross that line, everyone in the department will know and you will not be taken seriously. Oftentimes, these relationships don’t survive and two parties still have to work together.

I would also like to speak to Asian officers, but they have not made it a point in their lives to become a part of the law enforcement profession in significant numbers. Maybe they are the smartest ones and by pass this profession for a more lucrative one. Who knows?

Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not mention the role that white males have in law enforcement. To sum it up, they control every aspect of the criminal justice system. The only advice that I can impart to them is to be fair and share the wealth. Of course having all that power can be exhilarating, but realize that integrity is a much better trait.

I expect that this commentary will offend some and disappoint those that want to become a police officer. For those who are offended, the truth may hurt, but it is the reality of some. For those who are disappointed, you should feel grateful that someone has gone out on a limb to tell you the truth. For all others, it is your decision to embark upon this career. At least now you go into this profession with your eyes wide open and can make your own informed decision.

Good luck.

"Vocality trumps neutrality." Dr. BLR, Saint Peter’s University

The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and does not represent any police organization, police officer, or police department.