advice to a new sup?

[satpak77]

hypothetically speaking (I am not a sup), what would you guys offer as advice to a new supervisor, first line (SGT, etc)?

this came up on a coffee break, and the discussion at work got pretty interesting....

[Delta784]

Don't forget where you came from.

[m_chevy]

Always be willing to talk with and listen to your subordinates. Over time you will become disconnected and an uneffective leader if you don't.

[mosetti]

Go to bat for your guys unless they leave you no other choice and handle minor problems at the lowest level.

[PHXCOP]

Good thread

I am going through a huge problem with my current supervisor. While he is a nice guy, micromanaging is a morale killer. The understated is just a guideline from all supervisors to be.... Lets sound off if we agree. None of these lines are specific to my boss. But instead, something you should remember if you are looking to promote.

1. You came from patrol.
2. Remember bitching about a few sgt's? Dont be him when you don stripes.
3. We were trained. Let us run.
4. We survived before you graced us. We'll probably still be here when you go to day shift.
5. If I wanna run hot to a priority one involving an active shooter and I'm in policy dont pull me aside to discuss protocol and value of response time to invalid victims.
6. I dont have to be your friend.
7. Ill do what you ask, but dont be a dick about it. Because I probably wont do it twice without letting you hear about it in the parking lot at 0101 hours.
8. If I have to tune up a guy, like you probably did once or twice in your career, get my back.
9. Sgt. What is the big picture. If Its better you dont know, dont ask for Christs sake.
10. If I let a DUI go home in a cab, dont quote the law.
11. I am a professional police officer. I have a job to do. We have 56 calls holding. Dont waste my time and make the citizens that pay us wait for service because I didnt have a stunbag in my car yesterday and got caught by PSB. (professional standards bureau ((Interanl affairs)).
12. Sarge. I know its been a while since you had to speed. If I blow your doors off responding to an officer asking for immeadiate assistance, #### off.
13. (in briefing quote from a sgt): I have been noticing that there has been a lot of speeding lately if someone asks for urgent assistance.

Well boss. If one of the people I work with asks for help and im behind you. Move to the right lane. I have a job to do.


To all aspiring SGT's: Dont underestimate the value of an "officers seargeant". And dont step on your officers feet on your way to butter bars....

[mobrien316]

In every situation there is a range of

[MPD-A9]

Don't step on your guys toes. We all were patrol officers at one time, and all did the same things. Don't question an officers discretion, unless against policy and against the law. Stand up for officers in front of the brass, Brass might hate you, but you officers will respect you. Don't call out an officer infront of others, one on one, or call him over the phone, Unless a major screw up that others need to be made aware of, no need for us to know about it. Remember all your bickering about your supervisors, and what you didn't like about them, so strive not to have those charicteristics that you did not like. Stand up for what is right, and fight what is wrong. Do not let your friendship with officers get in the way when one messes up. tand beside them though, and support them, and make sure that they now the screwed up, and you will see them through the end, that is what you would have wanted.

[jricks]

A supervisors job is this:

1. Make sure the officers are acting within policy and law. (when responding to calls with the officer)
2. Make sure reports are filed properly with the correct information.
3. Protect the department from complaints of vicarious liablity because of misconduct by the officers.

He/she should not be your friend. A friend will not climb your behind when you need it, a supervisor should. This includes when you "tune" someone up unnecessarily or excessively. A supervisor also should back you to the hilt if you are right on a decision you made even if it is different from the decision he/she would have made.

Those are just my thoughts from someone who's been there and done that

[mosetti]

...Don't call out an officer infront of others, one on one, or call him over the phone, Unless a major screw up that others need to be made aware of, no need for us to know about it...

I usually discuss minor matters with officers over a meal, I buy of course. I find that it is very effective to create an enviroment where the officer feels he is not being attacked or singled out. It is also good to have them join you for a meal just to B.S. It can help keep you on top of issues that may affect them on the job.

[PTI]

If you show up at a call, offer to do something. Don't just stand around getting in the way. Don't tell the guys how to do their jobs, but be there if they have questions.

[keith758]

Ditto to Delta's advice. Never forget where you came from, and never be ashamed of where you came from. Don't look at it as an "Us vs. Them" situation. Remember we're all on the same team. Don't be afraid to "get your hands dirty."

[stalker3]

[QUOTE=mobrien316] Your shift doesn

[Migraman]

Not to beat a dead horse but...Dont forget where you came from.

[mobrien316]

The first part I completely agree with. Enough said on that.

I have big problems with the second part. The sergeant's main job is to supervise police officers (assisting patrol officers is a part of that). Part of supervision is to make sure coppers are doing their jobs. Some coppers need a sergeant to climb on their backs, but most don't (10% of the coppers - the problem ones - take up 90% of a supervisors time). Most people don't work well when constantly scrutinized, but problem children sometimes need more attention. Police yourselves and your peers if you don't want a sergeant to do it instead.

I agree with you that in the event you have an officer who is not doing his job you will have to take action. I was trying to offer general advice on how to act with the vast majority of the officers, not how to specifically deal with the 10% who are R.O.A.D..

I am a firm believer in the theory that a person threatened with discipline for not doing their job will do precisely enough work to avoid the discipline, and not one tiny bit more. If you have a useless cop on your shift, that might be a way to get him to do the minimum. For most cops, though, treating them like that will hamper their productivity, not enhance it.

And what do you do with the cops on your shift who are only motivated enough to do the minimum acceptable amount of work? I praise them and thank them for their efforts. If they are doing the minimum then they are doing their job. The only effective way to get them to do more is to show that their current efforts are recognized and appreciated.

I have seen sergeants come right out of the gate with the attitude of: "You'd better not screw around on my shift or I'll jam you up!" Rather than helping their officers do their job, they threaten their officers with discipline if they don't do their job well enough. Sergeants or other supervisors like that often wind up with a surly group of unhappy cops who pass that lack of a positive attitude on to the public they deal with. In the majority of circumstances in my experience that is not the way to lead.

Just my opinion.