Getting my stripes on Monday. Let's hear some advice! - Page 2

cowboywannabe · 02-07-2013, 11:09

Quote:

Getting my stripes on Monday. Let's hear some advice!

my advise, unless youre with a fair sized agency where a sergeant is a sergeant, give them the **** back.

Ftttu · 02-07-2013, 11:29

Nothing to really add. My input is to take all of the positives of all of the great supervisors you have had in the past and follow suit. Your subordinates will eventually do the same with you.

JBaird22 · 02-07-2013, 13:34

Aside from politely saying "no thank you" and giving them back, some tips from me, a lowly corporal who has had to play sgt on more than one occasion:

Make their jobs easier. Whatever it means make their jobs easier. If its deflecting BS from above, it it's fighting for better training, whatever it is make your people's jobs easier.

Don't be afraid to tell someone they stink and need to fix themselves. Only if they do need fixing.

Show them how good decisions get made. Share with them your thought processes and help them to see the big picture of events. I never got this sort of training from my sgts and it was like good decisions were based on magic or a crystal ball. Make them the next sgt so when you move up, you don't have d bags working for you.

Good luck.

VPD4327 · 02-07-2013, 13:45

Remember where you came from. Stand up for your guys when they deserve your support. Don't be an admin "cool-aid" drinker.

BL33D 4 M3 · 02-07-2013, 13:46

The transition you are about to make is the most difficult one in your career. Patrolman to Sergeant changes everything about how you are viewed by "the guys" and "admin". Stay true to the values and practices that got you promoted. Its probably the most difficult job in LE to do well. You will filter information in both directions (up and down). One thing to always remember is this; What you permit, you promote. They will test you. Let them know early on what will fly and what won't. You can accomplish this without being a prick.

Good luck to you and congratulations on this new chapter in your life.

x_out86 · 02-07-2013, 15:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheepdog689

Don't ask your officers to do anything that you aren't willing to do yourself....then show them that you will do it too.

+1000

You cant stand in the back and yell "charge" and expect your guys/gals to follow you blindly. If you lead the charge side by side, never ask them to do something you wouldnt do, and never treat your people as "less" than yourself. Do this, and they will follow you anywhere without question.

Oh yeah, and always remember....Praise in public, punish/correct in private. Everybody loves an attaboy once in a while, but nothing shuts down guys faster than being scorned in front of co-workers.

igor · 02-07-2013, 16:56

teh best job in the dept. congrats. listen to the folks they have good ideas treat all fair and be known for that. at the time of my retirement my shift had a 46 person waiting list to work on it. i would like to think that myself and the other sgt had a little something to do with that. i was a sgt for almost 20 yrs and it was a hoot

Sgt127 · 02-07-2013, 17:35

You must have done everything you expect from your troops. If they are directing traffic in the rain at a major accident, you occasionally have to let them see you soaking wet too.

If they are wading into a bar fight, you either need the street creds for wading into bar fights, or, every once in awhile, be with them when they do.

Jump hot calls. Let them hear you on the radio. Its hard for them to sit in the 7-11 drinking a slurpee if they hear you jumping calls. (if its not hard for them, it needs to be).

Let them be themselves. Everybody has a slightly different way of doing things. Some may work better than the way you did it. If it achieves the goal, is morally right and, within policy, let them have at it.

Look sharp. They better not ever look better than you. They can look as good, not better. (well, maybe a little)

Make decisions and stand by them. When I am asked how to handle a certain problem, my finishing quote is usually: "And, if anybody asks, tell them your Sergeant told you to do it that way." I got 27 years in. 15 years as a Sergeant. What are they going to do to me? As long as my decision was honest, had integrity, was lawful and was generally within policy, I assume they let me be a Sergeant to make decisions, I did. Somebody above me not happy with it, come to me, not my people.

Patchman · 02-07-2013, 18:07

What others have said.

Also, I'll add that when your patrol cops are called to a scene, make sure they ask the hard questions to determine if a penal law crime really occurred. If it's a civil matter, don't be afraid for the LEO to say "no police report will be taken."

And in cases like that, protect your cops by making sure they document somewhere what it wasn't a crime.

And if a crime was committed and needs further investigation by detectives, ensure all the relevant details are included and the elements of the recorded crime is spelled out. Teach your patrol cops a little additional investigation can go a long way (It's always important to develop current talent to be future detectives).

txleapd · 02-07-2013, 18:10

Don't be a ****.

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S.O.Interceptor · 02-07-2013, 19:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowboywannabe

my advise, unless youre with a fair sized agency where a sergeant is a sergeant, give them the **** back.

Ya, I was going to say "when they hand them to you, hand 'em right back". It's not worth it. However, I always encourage people to try their best to get promoted, because you can't ***** when the person doing the job is a ****tard, if you're not willing to do it yourself. That's why I promoted. I was tired of working for morons who made their officers hate their jobs.

Dukeboy01 · 02-07-2013, 19:45

Do not be afraid to make a decision. That's what you're paid for. There is nothing worse than a pantywaist admin weenie who won't make a decision. You wanted the stripes, after all.

CJStudent · 02-07-2013, 19:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dukeboy01

Do not be afraid to make a decision. That's what you're paid for. There is nothing worse than a pantywaist admin weenie who won't make a decision. You wanted the stripes, after all.

rgregoryb · 02-07-2013, 20:22

Vicarious Liability..................why I remained a Det/Corporal. I wanted to be responsible for me. With my length of service I made as much or more than most LT's

jenrick · 02-07-2013, 20:54

Provide guidance and direction to your rookies and junior officers. Provide a buffer for your senior officers. Come to work each day asking "how can I make my guys/girls better cops?" Have a plan at all times, when it comes down to it, your are the person everyone on scene is going to look to. Don't be afraid to make a decision, make decisions for the right reason. Be the LEADER and supervisor your troops deserve.

-Jenrick

cowboywannabe · 02-07-2013, 20:57

how many sworn officers does your dept. have?

cowboywannabe · 02-07-2013, 21:03

dbl post.

Islander-11 · 02-08-2013, 04:57

We have approximately 40 sworn officers. The stripes come with a significant pay raise. I won't be on call every day, all the time, like I was as a detective. Making the move to sergeant wasn't my first choice, but it was the one that made sense for me and my family. Folks, I appreciate your tremendous advice. I will strive to heed it!

cowboywannabe · 02-08-2013, 16:02

Ok, youre in a better situation than smaller departments.

Good luck....you shouldnt have a problem since ou cared enough to ask advise.

SpectreRider · 02-09-2013, 16:21

On your calandar, at an interval that makes sense to you, schedule time to put all else aside and self-evaluate how you are doing. Not to nitpick small mistakes, we all do that as a matter of course in our lives, rather make time to contemplate the big picture.

jhooten · 02-10-2013, 11:27

Congrats or condolences as the case may be. I'll keep it simple.

Lead by example.

Ajon412 · 02-10-2013, 12:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpectreRider

On your calandar, at an interval that makes sense to you, schedule time to put all else aside and self-evaluate how you are doing. Not to nitpick small mistakes, we all do that as a matter of course in our lives, rather make time to contemplate the big picture.

Self assessments are a good idea. Along with this, don't be afraid to ask other supervisors for feedback, guidance or advice.There are a ton of books on leadership out there and it wouldn't be a bad idea (if you have the time) to look at a few. One is "Challenging the Law Enforcement Organization, Proactive Leadership Strategies" by Jack Enter. I've actually finished this one and it's not a bad read (only about $20). I had the privilege to attend two of his Leadership Seminars and once you meet Jack (a retired copper from the Atlanta Metro area), you'll never forget him....

4teecal · 02-11-2013, 03:45

Things change.

You arent one of the boys.
You are expected to support your troops yet carry out the commands of your managers.
Your troops will now look on you as a supervisor and when they need you they want you, when you smack their nose they will resent you and do anything to wriggle out of it including sink you.

Dont compromise yourself. Your troops wont pay for your food on the table if you get the boot