All day long, we watch people. We watch our screens and our pending calls for service. We watch our units and make sure they’re safe and we have them in the correct location at all times. We’re watching the bad guy. We’re watching the streets for anything suspicious. We’re watching out for our safety and the safety of our partners in the field. Watching and being observant is something that we’re trained to do during our shifts and the entire time we are in uniform. But what we often forget is that, while we’re watching everything that goes on around us, someone is watching us.

The corrections officers have to worry about the inmates watching them and waiting for a weakness. The field units have to worry about the bad guy watching them and looking for an opportunity to commit a crime or to cause harm. Supervisors and managers have their subordinates watching and looking to them for leadership and direction. And we all have to be concerned with being watched by the public and members of the media.

Supervisors and managers might also want to remember that they are always in the spotlight as well. Supervision with respect, honesty, and fairness will give you loyalty and respect in return. It’s difficult for those who transfer from being a coworker to a supervisor to make that transition. Hopefully they’re able to separate those friendships from the authority that comes with their new responsibilities. You have to remember that you are being watched by your subordinates. If you can successfully balance these things from the get go, you’ve got half the battle won.

I’d like to remind you of another set of eyes that are always upon you. Trainees are like sponges—much like toddlers and teens. Just when you think no one is listening or watching, think again. Trainees are normally very engaged and inquisitive about their new job and surroundings. They’re very excited to embark on their new career and want to learn as much as they can as fast as they can. Who wants to be the new guy? They want to get that training over with quickly so they can be on their own as soon as possible.

Training can be rewarding but it’s also challenging and can be downright exhausting at times. It takes a special person to be a trainer. You have to have the right combination of patience, knowledge and enthusiasm for the job. Typically, trainers are held to a higher standard than the rest of staff. You want your best people as trainers and instructors.

Are you projecting the right image at all times? Do you ever find yourself venting or complaining about your center, department, co-workers or management? We all have bad days. We have days we wish that human resources had lost our application and never called us for an interview, however many years ago. We all have those moments when we spill a string of words or comments out that we hope no one heard or that we wish we could take back. But the reality is: Once they are said, there’s no taking them back.

We have to be mindful of the image that we are portraying to our rookies. Do we really second guessing their career choice when they are starting out?

In the past it was pretty much the school of hard knocks, in my experience anyway. You either conformed, got out, or your life was miserable until you did one or the other. “Sink or swim” they used to say. Today, training standards have been developed to help trainees succeed. Trainees are trying to find their fit at a new agency or shift, and they are paying close attention to all the nuances of their surroundings, including the things that are not on their trainee checklist. So the least we can do as trainers, and as coworkers, is give them a positive atmosphere in which to learn and grow.

If you’re in a division that has low morale and high turnover, perhaps we should consider that one of the reasons for the added stress is found within ourselves. Yes, low pay and long hours are things to be upset about, but can we really do anything about those things? Unless you’re in a management position, and most of the time even not then, most likely you don’t have any say over budget items and/or being short staffed. But one watch commander recently reminded me that you can control your immediate environment and how you react to those around you.

If there’s one thing that will send a public safety worker over the edge, it’s telling them they have no control over something. We have to remind ourselves that while we’re accustomed to being in the driver’s seat, we need to remember that our actions speak louder than words and that perception is everything. If we want to make our workplace into a more pleasant environment, we should start with ourselves. If we can plant the seed of professionalism in our trainees, hopefully they’ll grow into productive employees and set a new standard. Eventually, when the problem children no longer have an audience to feed their negative behavior, they’ll either fall in line or they’ll find another sandbox to play in.

Remember, trainees will mirror the behavior that they witness and employees will behave the way they’re allowed to behave. If you conduct yourself as if you’re always being watched, no matter where you are and who you’re with, you’ll rarely have any problems and you just may get the working atmosphere you’re longing for.

So as you put on the uniform for the beginning of your shift, remember that you’re also turning on the limelight that we all try to avoid. Let’s remember to let your professionalism shine through. As one of my favorite supervisors says, “Fake it ‘til you make it!” Whenever our shift starts grumbling, she always smiles and reminds us of this little saying. We all want a positive work environment. Remember why you chose this profession in the first place; remember that you’re proud to serve! But most of all, remember that we’re all under a watchful eye, no matter where we are or who we’re with.

Be Safe!

About the Author
Cindra Dunaway is a 9-1-1 dispatcher for the Lee County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office. Contact her via e-mail at cdunaway@sheriffleefl.org.