It’s always special when I hear from a former deputy. But it is particularly encouraging when they tell me how much our character-based training program meant to them. Here is a lesson from one of my deputies that he told me I could share. With his permission, here is an edited version of his comments…
“I had anger issues and was being led in the wrong direction due to the people I associated with. Even when I first came into law enforcement at (agency). I left there and took a break so I could get rid of the crowd. I then decided to get back into law enforcement when I had a friend get killed in the line of duty. You gave me that opportunity to come back despite the bad references you may have gotten. I started at the Dorchester County Detention Center as a detention officer and was given a second chance in law enforcement. I was amazed with the family-oriented environment. I received more training in my first month than I did in nearly two years at (the other agency). I loved going to character training. It was like a family reunion once a month. I was on the transport team, had a take home car, and made 42k my first year doing that. I was on the dive team. And I had a badge that said “deputy.”
“I learned a lot about ethics, morals and character from you. I still remember walking down the hallway at the Summerville office. I passed by you and I moved far to the right. You stopped me and shook my hand and told me “happy birthday.” That’s a great supervisor. You had probably 300 plus employees and you knew me. The day after (the new sheriff) took over, they lined all the detention officers up and stripped us of our badges. Then a week later took my car, gun, and disbanded the dive team.
You gave me a foundation I should have learned from my father. I learned anger from him. So that caused me to rebel ultimately leading me to the wrong crowd. He did teach me right from wrong. I’ve done some research on early childhood development since I have two daughters of my own now. It says a child learns all of their morals by age 7. So I’m working with my children every day. My oldest is almost two. She says “thank you” and gives hugs and kisses. And says “amen.” Those are foundations.
One thing that really opened my eyes on your Police Dynamics website was the rewards for accomplishment (instead of character). I have been craving for that because being new to the road I’m learning and thats been my way of trying to figure out how I’m doing. I really can see how it (praising for achievement rather than character) could promote poor character decisions.
A Lesson on “Foundations” from a Former Deputy