Standards and the maintaining of them throughout your entire career. The job doesn't get any less demanding the older you get and last time I checked , bad guys don't take it easy on you because you're older and out of shape. It is beyond embarrassing, its criminal , the level of physical incompetence that is allowed to exist. I can't be the reason you don't make it home and if the reason You don't go home is because I have decided not to make health and physical conditioning a priority, thats completely unacceptable. Sorry for the rant, Great article as always my friend!!!!!!
One thought on the physical fitness standard: I think it hurts the profession that most police agencies have PT standards that start 2 months before the academy and end the day of graduation. There's obviously a lot of difficulties and you don't want to lose talent over a 15 year veteran who can only do 29 pushups, but I find it wild how few agencies require any standard beyond "can fit into a Ford explorer".
Same same issue in the olden days. Fat deputies, too much beer, too many free burritos and Mic Dees as it was known then as “The employee special”
Much much more Lead was expelled during the 1970’s through 1980’s. Fleeing felon meant shoot to stop. Not run five blocks.
Patrol car; No running, use the car form perimeter. Thirty second response time as departments had hundreds of applicants waiting for job announcements. Me included.
Bill Gate’s began very first SWAT Team.
Running was reserved for serious criminal acts only. Unless a former JARHEAD type couldn’t wait to chase some black dude because he was running away at 0200hrs…
Poor nutrition, Poor parenting if any, the one size fits all new physical fitness standards that deem any activity must include the most limited kid with physical limitations (Wheel Chair bound) bad this bad that, Inhalers galore (50%) in California classrooms. No upper body strength equipment allowed. No strengthening exercise period. H.S. Numerous ways to ditch-out on that bad word. Exercise.
I have both friends and relatives in Law Enforcement.
I am retired after 40 plus years in Health Care and Law.
I can tell you that I hold Law Enforcement in a much higher status than those weak kneed Physicians and many Lawyers who are disgusting humans when it comes to sticking up for what is right and doing what their Job was supposed to prepare them to do.
It is the "Thin Blue Line" that keeps America civil!
Now that I’m supervising these Gen Z cops.. I’ll tell ya there are some great ones out there. Using slang in reports is a constant issue 😂 but their motivation and drive are damn impressive to witness
Great read! I have a podcast the I just did with a former Capt of our former agency that discusses management issues and leadership as you describe. I'd love for you to watch it and give us your professional assessment. We are getting lots of praise and thanks from others in our circle on this..
I watched the first few minutes and I am intrigued. I'm prepping to be on https://www.talk995.com tomorrow from 10 am to 12 CT and I promise to review it full thereafter and get back with you. It looks like you are rightfully entitled to some praise from the bit I've seen.
Much appreciate that and honored... Just remember, I'm still just an old retired cop and this podcast thing is a work in progress..!-) I'll try and tune into the show and listen...
Standards and the maintaining of them throughout your entire career. The job doesn't get any less demanding the older you get and last time I checked , bad guys don't take it easy on you because you're older and out of shape. It is beyond embarrassing, its criminal , the level of physical incompetence that is allowed to exist. I can't be the reason you don't make it home and if the reason You don't go home is because I have decided not to make health and physical conditioning a priority, thats completely unacceptable. Sorry for the rant, Great article as always my friend!!!!!!
One thought on the physical fitness standard: I think it hurts the profession that most police agencies have PT standards that start 2 months before the academy and end the day of graduation. There's obviously a lot of difficulties and you don't want to lose talent over a 15 year veteran who can only do 29 pushups, but I find it wild how few agencies require any standard beyond "can fit into a Ford explorer".
Same same issue in the olden days. Fat deputies, too much beer, too many free burritos and Mic Dees as it was known then as “The employee special”
Much much more Lead was expelled during the 1970’s through 1980’s. Fleeing felon meant shoot to stop. Not run five blocks.
Patrol car; No running, use the car form perimeter. Thirty second response time as departments had hundreds of applicants waiting for job announcements. Me included.
Bill Gate’s began very first SWAT Team.
Running was reserved for serious criminal acts only. Unless a former JARHEAD type couldn’t wait to chase some black dude because he was running away at 0200hrs…
Poor nutrition, Poor parenting if any, the one size fits all new physical fitness standards that deem any activity must include the most limited kid with physical limitations (Wheel Chair bound) bad this bad that, Inhalers galore (50%) in California classrooms. No upper body strength equipment allowed. No strengthening exercise period. H.S. Numerous ways to ditch-out on that bad word. Exercise.
Safetyism will be our undoing if we don’t learn to recognize it and resist. Great piece!
Absolutely. You are 100% correct. I had a Tom Sawyer upbringing in forests and rivers 10 miles from the George Washington Bridge! Rub some dirt on it!
I have both friends and relatives in Law Enforcement.
I am retired after 40 plus years in Health Care and Law.
I can tell you that I hold Law Enforcement in a much higher status than those weak kneed Physicians and many Lawyers who are disgusting humans when it comes to sticking up for what is right and doing what their Job was supposed to prepare them to do.
It is the "Thin Blue Line" that keeps America civil!
Now that I’m supervising these Gen Z cops.. I’ll tell ya there are some great ones out there. Using slang in reports is a constant issue 😂 but their motivation and drive are damn impressive to witness
Great read! I have a podcast the I just did with a former Capt of our former agency that discusses management issues and leadership as you describe. I'd love for you to watch it and give us your professional assessment. We are getting lots of praise and thanks from others in our circle on this..
https://youtu.be/D-9NUVpsxk8?si=RNvOrNoGr6bDLHzE
I watched the first few minutes and I am intrigued. I'm prepping to be on https://www.talk995.com tomorrow from 10 am to 12 CT and I promise to review it full thereafter and get back with you. It looks like you are rightfully entitled to some praise from the bit I've seen.
Much appreciate that and honored... Just remember, I'm still just an old retired cop and this podcast thing is a work in progress..!-) I'll try and tune into the show and listen...