In Part 1 of the Dynamic of Restoration, we take a closer look at the downward steps in the Path of Destruction. Identifying where an officer is on this path is the key to their restoration. And one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves is “where am I on this path…”

The Dynamic of Restoration builds on the ethical foundation of the Dynamic of Authority. Once a law enforcement officer develops an Independent Spirit and steps out from under authority, there are certain predictable patterns of behavior that can begin to manifest in his life. Ultimately, these behaviors can lead to death. Independent Spirits are very good at deflecting the truth by assigning blame to others. That leaves them open to the three root character flaws – anger, lust, and greed.

The downward progression of the Path of Destruction can be seen in this Dynagram.

Path of Destruction

As you can see, it closely mirrors the Five Types of Offenders that we covered in the Dynamics of Discretion, Compliance, and Discipline.

Blaming others for your problems, rather than taking personal responsibility which is the path of character, can lead to a Wounded Spirit. This in turn can lead to a Bitter Spirit, and bitterness can destroy you. Pretty soon, the officer is no longer content to get mad. They want to get even! That’s the Rebellious Spirit. Ultimately, this can lead to an Unrestorable Spirit, who is by definition beyond restoration. In the next episode, we will look at how to restore these renegades by applying specific character-based principles.

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