We’ve all had the experience of starting a new assignment. The buildup and anticipation for that transfer date after getting the call off a list. The feeling of eagerness to start something new. Once reality hits that you’re going somewhere new, here come the nerves and anxiety.

Cops are creatures of habit, and we get used to our daily routines. If we change the routine or start something different, it throws us off, and we forget how to do the simplest tasks. I’ve been on the Executive Board for four months, and it has gone by quicker than I had ever imagined. On my first day, the nerves and anxiety hit me. I’m going to a place where it is an absolute privilege to be, and on top of that, my job is completely different than before. 

I came from P.D., and I was used to the day-to-day routine. DTAC was incredibly busy, especially during the summer months. At the start of the shift, we would “cheers” an energy drink as a squad and then brief what cases we had working and what needed to be done. Some days would grow organically, working a case like a prolific nightclub shooting, and we’d be in the field all day. Sprinkle in a Spartan Protocol, and for my fellow DTAC people, you’ll know exactly what that’s about. 

Other days might be spent working the monster that is the P1 case queue. I was used to the call-out rotation and the hours. We’d get called out every so often, and it was no big deal. I was also able to turn that work phone off at the end of the night. Then I’d wake up the next day and do it all over again. I’m thankful for how busy DTAC was because that’s the only thing that has been similar. 

Now I’m the secretary for the LVPPA. My day-to-day schedule couldn’t be more different than before. It’s a different type of busy, but a good type of busy. I’ll start with the hours. The majority of my career was spent on swing shift and graveyard, and now I’m on a dayshift schedule. I keep track of membership numbers of the LVPPA. I also keep track of the Board of Directors and all the delegates to ensure all vacancies are filled. I’m in charge of making sure the Board of Directors elections go off without a hitch. I am expected to have a thorough knowledge of our bylaws and regulations. I’m tasked with recording the minutes for all the Board of Directors and General Membership meetings. 

Now, introduce the internal affairs interviews, diversity interviews, vehicle collision boards, FIT/CIRT interviews and our benevolent events. Every one of these is a different beast to tackle. Instead of preparing myself to submit a case to the district attorney, my job is preparing our members so they can go into an interview with no surprises. It doesn’t matter how long any of us have been on the Executive Board because the membership expects us to be on point and know our stuff. 

It still hasn’t sunk in that I am one of 10 people who have the privilege of representing our members. Every day brings something new, and I’m enjoying every minute of it. I am constantly picking the brains of all my partners on the Executive Board, taking bits and pieces of their styles and morphing it into my own. Just know you’re not alone when it comes to feeling all those emotions of starting a new position. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please stay safe out there.