The Key For Advancement by Black Males in Law Enforcement

The ranks of law enforcement have opened up to allow increases in minority representation, as it relates to the once protected classes. Women of all races, men of color and in other minority groups have been given chances to reach higher heights within police organizations. However, there are still varying degrees of complacency in accepting opportunity, and some seem to believe that there is a silver spoon entitlement. Yes, there is no disputing that blacks and other minorities were denied equality and history bares accurate testament of the racial inequalities in American society.

However, my parents always taught me (an African American) that there were no silver spoons in life and one must “pull them self up by their own bootstraps” and work hard to get ahead…”cause work never killed [no one]!” Unfortunately, holding onto the vestiges of the history in America and not striving to reap the benefits of opportunities that are currently present in law enforcement, without grabbing education in academia or pursuing career development courses, seem to be the norm of some of the newer, younger generation in law enforcement. Thus, when promotional examinations are given, many fall so far at the bottom of the ranking that they would never be considered for advancement, or they fail to even rank. Hence, we hear that ugly term and the old cry of discrimination.

In my years as a police executive, I have found that too many officers chose to spend their time supplementing their salaries through various off-duty jobs. They grab as many assignments as possible, which leave little time to focus on personal development, which is a must if you want to get ahead in a police organization. Unfortunately, the former may seem a necessity, when police officers in many areas struggle to make ends meet due to their low pay. There are also other distracters officers engage in that leave little time for personal growth and development in law enforcement.

Therefore, I encourage this new generation of police officers to always take advantage of career development opportunities in academia and advance police courses. Preparation for advancements in police organizations require due diligence in matriculation and studying is paramount to passing promotional examinations. Written examinations and in-basket exercises are the primary areas where I have seen many candidates fail. Improvement comes with personal development in study habits and continuing education provides a platform for improving these habits.