Family Sheepdog

Since this Sunday is a 5th Sunday, our ward discussed Elder Ballard's "Family Councils" talk from General Conference.  I have discussed this topic for weeks now in class and in my home and I really wanted to dive into the topic and the important roles of our families.  (Please read the talk, it will change your family life if followed)

I have never owned a dog but have had plenty of friends with them.  I have met quite a few K9 units and their dogs.  What the good dogs do for the family is protect and provide joy.  They are often fiercely loyal and have taken on all kinds of threats to protect the family.  They have no fear of danger and they still want to snuggle and play, even when they have been yelled at and belittled.  Pretty great example of love right?

Now here is the topic EVERY officer has had to discuss: family relations.  How many briefing room side-discussions, locker talk, and other conversations have been on this?  I feel it is almost every single day at work and sometimes multiple times.  Divorce, separations, child problems, selfishness and the like run rampant.  Now I doubt all of these "water cooler conversations" is the truth, but imagine how upsetting your spouse or child would feel if they happened to see or hear the footage from your camera/mic as you are belittling their feelings?  The one line I despise hearing is how a spouse/child shouldn't be complaining because the officer has had a far worse/taxing day.  This never has been true.  This talk about who's life is more important goes against the entire Family Proclamation.

This attitude of self-service carries from work to the home really easily.  That quick fuse from dealing with "boneheads" all day can be easy to light.  The idea that (barring a superior's opinion) your way is the right way can be transferred across work and home time.  This is more boneheaded than any person you encounter on the streets.  Your life is just as important as each of your family members.  No more, no less.  Your marriage was to be a help-meet not a President and Vice-President.  Your children are your stewardship, not your minions.  So why do you think your day was/is more significant?  I am pretty sure Jesus Christ didn't do some miracles and then say, "Hey, come wash my feet and make me some food.  It's been a long day and and I'm the Savior."

Just like the rest of the gospel principles, the strengthening of our families comes together over time with hard-work and dedication.  Put forth the effort and see the fruits of the gospel flourish in your home.

We all hope the day we have to go to the call we have been dreading (child, partner, or other horrible circumstance) our family is there to surround us with love and support.  A piece of advice from a officer who is of a different faith: on the last day you remove your badge and uniform, if your home is empty because your career was full, what will you really have done in 30 years?

I have one EXCEPT to add.  In the event of something traumatic, please, please, please get help from your family, trained counselors, and coworkers.  There are many out there who find themselves slipping because they take the other extreme of never asking for help.  The advice and counsel in the gospel is working together, not suppressing.

Sorry that this post is more for reflection than for just uplifting.  Sometimes, we have to take on the hard truths to progress.  It keeps us humble.  So be fiercely loyal to your family.  Be the person that others ask for counsel in private, after the public heckling in the locker room ends.  Show your spouse and kids what real heroes stand for.  And read the talk.  It's still on the homepage of LDS.org for at least today.

Godspeed, LEOs.

-LDS Sheepdog

Ride-Along Reflections

Ok, I'm sorry about this being on Monday instead of my normal deadline of Sunday.  My good excuse was I was indexing and got carried away with WWII and Civil War enlistments.

So I recently had the privilege of taking a Young Men's Priest on a ride-along as he had turned 18 and had been asking for months.  I made sure he had all his ducks in a row and was ready as Midnights was not the easiest to go on as a High Schooler.  Especially since there would not really be any dance parties or potential dates included.  Just me and him for the full shift until the sun showed up.

I warned him that likely the conversations from my partners and the like would be closer to a High School bathroom gossip conversation than church.  I warned him that there would likely be heckling back and forth but the "guys" (we don't only have men on the team) were really nice and helpful.

The night went quite smoothly and he got to see a good mix of calls and stops.  We got to chat with all my partners at the end as it was our Friday and the new shift was already fielding the end of our day calls.  I actually drove him there and home (at his mother's request) so we were able to have an even deeper conversation.  Let me just let all of you know: if you are concerned about the "rising generation" and only look at the juveniles you book, look to our YM/YW kids.  They are strong.  They face huge obstacles just like all of us.  And yet, they show their strength of the gospel with the right encouragement.

What really blew my mind is my own reflection of High School.  I remember the foul conversations and peer pressures.  I remember the trials, the strain, the fears.  And yet, I felt the need to "warn" my ride-along of the same.  Maybe it is due to my "parental instincts" trying to protect him from the inevitable.  Maybe it is because I felt embarrassed to be in such company.  Either way, I was making a judgement that was not truly for me to make.

My reflection (as I hope you all take time to do the same) is on our daily lives.  Would we act the same way without that ride-along?

Reflected long enough?  We all know what we should do.  Now it us just a matter of putting it into practice.  Peer pressure, trials and fear are just as present now as they were in High School.  Take some time and re-commit to your covenants.  Remember, the real person sitting passenger is the Holy Ghost, but only as long as you travel the paths He can be with you for.

Godspeed, LEOs.

-LDS Sheepdog

The Back Corner Table

I like many (if not all) of you have had my patterns changed through this career.  Admittedly, I drive faster.  I also have my head on a swivel more, scan faces, and base my reasons for staying in a public place on threats rather than the menu or line.  And I know the place we feel the most comfortable in a restaurant is that back corner table with lower lighting, easy escape access, good cover, and full visibility of all the entry points.  Our spouses and friends have probably made a comment about it.  But man, do we love that little nook of security while we try to enjoy a meal.

Yeah, I'll take that one... way back there

That back table has added a challenge to me.  I have always been that free spirit, outdoor, social butterfly, likes everything, be anywhere person.  I have almost always taken personality quizzes and career quizzes in school telling me that's what kind of person I am.  And of course a bunch of quizzes with consistent answers for me definitely scratches the "scientific method" itch I have.  While I don't subscribe to this being a fate for obvious reasons, I do think that the gospel has helped mold my inherent personality and talents with its power into the person I am.  The Lord loves to take our talents to stretch and grow us.  So when I completed the academy, I faced a new challenge: I was thrown into the "always watch your six" mentality. Pretty contrary to the whole "social saints movement" right?  I honestly felt so two-faced with this. At church and in the comfort of mine or a friend's home, I was outgoing and "normal" at least for me. Outside if that, I was the guy tactically positioned and quietly observing. This dichotomy had been bugging me for over a year and I really felt further from the spirit.  So to steal from scriptural verbiage: "what is to be done?"
First, let me add that this experience is only my own.  You may have a different path to the same solution (and please let us all know because this would be an odd world if everyone was like me).  Second, NEVER give up tactics.  You have been trained to protect and serve.  Your life matters to the Lord.  Ok, back to the question.

We have been taught to seek guidance from the scriptures and the Lord.  I will add that there are very few occupations that have a closer physical similarity to our career than the Book of Mormon.  We are trying to become like the righteous warriors of old.  What greater motivation than that of the Army of Helaman?  What a better leader than Mormon or Moroni?  These men had the Lord on their side.  And while the world would teach you that they had the Spirit because they were called as prophets, we have the same potential to be the Lord's vessel.  Did they lead by hiding in a corner?  Well, maybe Moroni was a bit pushed into one but that was due to the end of a dispensation, not our reality.  So no, they didn't.  Did they sacrifice virtues for tactics?  NEVER.  In fact, the best example of what NOT to do by disregarding spiritual AND tactical advantages is found in Alma 47.

Cool story, bro, but what does that have to do with us?

The "stories" are for us!  We need to know what others have done to comprehend the fact that the Lord will uphold us.  Heck, that's why I started this blog.  I was taught that we can balance both the safety of the shadows with the brightness of the gospel.  One of the ways I found worked in maintaining balance was to revert back to my missionary days.  I studied (not read) my scriptures and petitioned (not prayed) to the Lord.  I went out of my way to talk to strangers.  I looked for opportunities to serve.  I felt the fear of man quickly turn to the trust in the Lord.  Turns out, all the great righteous warriors did the same.  They had full trust in the Lord, even in the face of death.  So why be scared?  There is plenty of room at the corner table.  And I realized that the Lord also creates opportunities for us to bring others to the gospel in our profession.  What a better way to fill the corner table than with sheepdogs like us right?

Sorry for the basic answers but isn't that what tactics are all about?  How many gun drills do you do drawing from your holster?  Or how about role playing stops?  Or reviewing past reports to make sure our current reports contain all the right information?  Life is basic.  It is made for our happiness and the happiness of all those who inhabit it.  It is made for us to learn and grow to be like our Heavenly Father.  So our answers to questions are basic (though not always easy).  Study, Ponder, Pray/Plea, and all the other basics.  Now go do some drills!

Godspeed, LEOs.

-LDS Sheepdog

Learning by Emulation

Who here loves that Parole's friend who is screaming at you about his buddy's rights and how you are violating them?  Or the one person who keeps giving you a gauntlet of names they "might" be listed as?  Or how about the punk teen who is "just going to run away" if you bring them back to their parent's house because they do what they want?  Has that blood pressure started to tick upward thinking about these and the other laundry list of less-than-cordial people you deal with daily at work?  I know mine has.

"Thanks LDS Sheepdog, now I have to try to relax AGAIN."  Ok, there is a point I promise.

There are lots of things out there that will make us angry.  There are plenty of people who have no issue spouting hate, lies, and just ugly things to us as we do our best to provide service.  Here comes the cliché: Don't sweat the small stuff.

Now before you try to rip me off the high-horse, know that I am learning this just as much as the next.  It is true though; there is plenty of small stuff out there trying to get us to lose our cool and start acting like meat-head ogres rather than the spiritual directors we are. No one likes losing their cool.  It isn't becoming of us and I know it makes me feel like I'm no better than the dummy I am potentially arresting.  Yes, I have thought how great it would be to really make a "scumbag" face immediate justice.  Yes, I have cheered when you see a video of an officer spear a perp to the ground and felt the satisfaction of dropping a fighter to the ground.

But that feeling is fleeting.

That feeling we get comes from a temporal satisfaction from our coworkers cheering us on for stopping the threat.  And while I am in no way belittling officer safety and the obvious need for this action (regardless of what others may say), I am saying the satisfaction should come from performing our jobs well.  It should not come from a sense of "teaching that punk a lesson."

"All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny."

Recognize this?  I hope so.  This is the reminder to us about who we are really dealing with.  Suspect, victim, witness, everyone.  They are all beloved of the Father and the Son.  It is through this understanding that we can utilize the power of the Holy Ghost to direct our actions and words to reiterate this to those around us.  We don't have to be callus to the world around us.  There is too much of that in this job.

It's true that we are the few who have to deal with those who make or are affected by the most heinous tools of Satan.  We are the few who find people at their worst.  We have to see the anguish and suffering and remain aloof from the emotional pain clearly displayed.

BUT... we are also given the Gift of the Holy Ghost to seek opportunity to teach, uplift, and support.  We are the few who have the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to have the words to say to help.  We are the few who have the tools to gain spiritual protection and guidance to help others do the same.  We are the few who can truly recognize that getting into a fight, throwing on handcuffs, and booking criminals for multiple charges does not mean that the criminal is any less of a person in Heavenly Father's eyes.  We are ALL beloved of the Father.

It just takes one little moment

My final point in this is that we are truly in a unique position to feel what our Father in Heaven feels.  How about some literal comparison:

-Hearing them curse your name while trying to help and blaming you for any repercussions of their decisions
-Reaching out to help someone who is fully addicted to any vice
-Counseling despite knowing the likelihood of re occurrence is great
-Wanting to fix the pains and consequences, but knowing it is up to them to make the right choice
-Seeing the instant remorse of poor judgement and knowing the battle of repentance ahead

We can become like our Heavenly Father.  Everyone on this Earth can do so as well.  Do not despair.  Do not let "the guys" harden you.  You can be tough, fair, and loving.  We are all practicing to be heavenly parents.  For those who are parents, tough, fair, and loving should be the motto anyway.  Take this week to do some reflecting.  And don't worry, we are all still working toward the goal of being like Heavenly Father.  We aren't there yet.

Godspeed, LEOs.

-LDS Sheepdog

Who's on the Lord's side? You?

We are officially in month 5 of the year. Maybe it has been a long 5 months for you, and maybe it has blown by.  Either way, May Day has arrived and spring is in full force.

As I opened this to start writing, I pondered this scriptural message from Joseph Smith: 

"No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing.... The truth of God will go forward boldly, nobly, and independent." 

Wait, what in the world is this all about, LDSSheepdog? First you ask about how I am doing and then tell me the gospel goes on through everything? What are you getting at?

Alright, you know me to well. I love a good leading statement. 

So here is the deal: whether or not you are ready, the gospel is progressing. So how your year is going (put bluntly and insensitively) does not matter... at least as far as the Gospel of Jesus Christ goes. You matter of course but I will get to that. 

We see the terrible calamities of this world daily. We hear the degradation of every religion, race, marital status, and the like. We see the sadness and stress of sin. We hear the cries of loss. The prophesies of old discussing the state of the world seem to be ever in our view. But the promise is sure: the gospel will still progress. 

We are seen as both the devil and a savior to the world. We are plagued by harsh policy and regulations. We have frustrations with political leaders. We face constant scrutiny of our work, even when we do the right thing. Our families face challenges from our work. And yet, the gospel continues. 

Now before you call me names for bringing down the joy of these posts, remember, you are in this gospel. Your efforts increase the progression of the gospel. You matter. Yes, the work will go on without you but you aren't without the gospel. Take courage and keep reading.

The sadness for the state of world is somehow better knowing the gospel pierces even the most hardened heart. Fear of man seems just a little less scary knowing the Lord is upholding your life as you strive to do what is right. Family struggles dissipate with the glowing warmth of gospel teachings. Evils that appear impossible to avoid are easier to navigate with the gospel's blessings of discernment. The work will go forth... and you can go forth with it!

Don't despair. You matter to the Lord. He needs no "#" to show it to you. So now that 4 months are down, you only have eternity to go! Today is His day (literally) but you can make everyday a day for Him. Let's get creative. I am sure you have all used the spirit of the law to find a better solution at work. Do the same for your gospel work. Go to the temple. Attend an ordinance. Do service. Have Family Home Evening. Read gospel doctrine. Pray. Teach. Better yet, do any of these with a friend! Don't wait for the gospel because that car is going code 3. Be the Lord's fill as you know He is yours (if you don't know what I mean, read the last post).  Its May Day. Celebrate a change in seasons with a change of attitude/dedication. You matter.

Godspeed LEOs. 

-LDSSheepdog 

I post these for all of you and myself. Got a question, comment or story? Email me. I want to make this a place where we can grow together. The topics from you influence almost all of the posts. And no, I don't say who it is unless you say so.