Our profession is unlike any other. We carry a gun and a badge and wear body armor. We have the power to take people’s freedom away. There are so many different career avenues within LVMPD. There aren’t many other professions where you have so many options available — whether it’s being a detective, promoting through the ranks or becoming a helicopter pilot. Getting through this career and enjoying a well-earned retirement is the goal. There will no doubt be bumps in the road throughout your career. This career is challenging enough as it is. When we don’t take accountability for the small things, they turn into much bigger problems.

Over the last several months, we have seen a trend among officers that is becoming increasingly common and concerning. Cops have been making relatively minor mistakes and then trying to hide them. We’ve seen cases where cops made a small mistake and didn’t say anything at all until they were confronted in Internal Affairs. Officers have been going into self-preservation mode, hoping the Department doesn’t notice or find out. A lot of what this job is about is owning the mistakes we make and holding ourselves accountable. We break things and lose things. It just happens. That’s the nature of being in law enforcement. There are a lot of small issues that become much bigger issues when we don’t hold ourselves accountable.

When I was brand new, I got into an accident in my patrol car. It was a new Explorer, as most of the Crown Vics had been phased out. I had never had one of the Explorers as a share car. I wasn’t paying attention, trying to do too much at once, and I nailed a wall. I was mad at myself and extremely embarrassed because I had to go over the radio and tell the world I hit a wall. I was terrified of what was going to happen because I was brand new. I called my boss and told him what happened. Several weeks later, I went to the Vehicle Collision Board. I answered their questions and jumped on the sword because it was entirely my fault. The board showed me clemency. I walked out of there with a contact report. I also got chewed out a little bit off the record, and that was OK.

When we try to cover up minor mistakes, that’s when things get worse for us. It allows the Department to come in and turn a minor issue into a much bigger one. Internal Affairs and Labor aren’t just going to let you skate by. If they know you failed to do something that is in policy, they are going to get their pound of flesh. Officers may still get discipline, whether it’s from IAB or the Vehicle Collision Board, but you’ll keep your job. If you find yourself in a situation where you aren’t sure what to do, please call us. We will guide you and walk you through the next steps. You work too hard to get jammed up for something we can avoid.