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-914400-91440000-414528-323088MONTHLY WELLNESS SPOTLIGHT00MONTHLY WELLNESS SPOTLIGHT87909401082040Volume 1, Issue 1July 201800Volume 1, Issue 1July 2018550341831750VOLUME #1JULY 201800VOLUME #1JULY 201868262533020STAYING POSITIVE ON PATROL0STAYING POSITIVE ON PATROL1333598298000Since the founding of our Department in 1874, “Patrol Officers”, “Beat Cops”, “Radio Cars”, “Patrolman”, or “Field Officers” have been some of the titles associated with the most vitally important job on the police department. Police Officers and Sergeants working in Patrol are the frontline, the officers that we often send first into harm’s way. These officers are vital and essential for the KCPD to fulfill its duty to the community of Kansas City, Missouri. The duty to protect life, property, and maintain order is a sworn oath every KCPD Officer takes upon getting commissioned. Every other element, unit, section, or squad on the police department, serves as a supporting component to patrol and its cadre of officers.Patrol Officers (depending on assignment) engage in shift work causing the majority of them to work the afternoon shift, or the overnight shift known by department members as “Dogwatch”. These shifts can sometimes cause additional strain and stress because of missed family events, holidays, and working on weekends. These officers work in some of the most challenging and dangerous areas our city can deliver. They are expected to resolve situations on a daily basis that most from the community would find disturbing, dangerous, or impossible to do. In moments officers can go from eating lunch, to a foot chase, to a fatality accident, or possibly respond to help a child who has just been seriously hurt. Working in these conditions is stressful, demanding, and emotionally difficult. Officers are expected to maintain composure regardless of what they do or witness on a previous call (911 call for service). Patrol Officers are the image or “face” of the police department. They have contact with the community on a daily basis and are often used as the basis to judge the professionalism, competency, and compassion of the KCPD. Most often a Patrol Officer will be the only direct contact a member of our community will ever have with the police department. The working conditions and the ability to operate daily in them are a challenge few from our community are willing to accept. The ultimate privilege is reserved for those men and woman who answer the call to serve and successfully complete the academy. That privilege is the right to proudly wear the badge of the finest law enforcement agency in the world, The Kansas City Missouri Police Department. Within days of graduation the newly minted officers will be assigned to Patrol Divisions throughout the city and join The Thin Blue Line.For many officers in Patrol once the required time has been served, they begin to explore working in other areas of the police department. This occurs for a multitude of reasons and circumstances. Nothing is wrong with this and it is one of many distinct advantages of working for a large agency. We all have unique talents and skills to offer. The police department will always need new detectives, and officers for a seemingly endless array of specialized positions. There are also officers interested in getting promoted and becoming supervisors or commanders. All of this is necessary for the KCPD to achieve its strategic objectives and goals. Sometimes, officers that remain in patrol are stigmatized as not able to advance. Some are thought to not have the desire or drive to explore other areas of the police department. The simple truth is that some just thrive in the fast paced working environment Patrol provides. These officers could not imagine sitting behind a desk, or doing anything different. Officers that choose to spend their career patrolling the streets of Kansas City are some of the most dedicated, tenacious, and hardest working members on the entire police department. The Wellness Section had the honor of speaking with two of the police departments finest, Officer Michael Crooks “Cookie” and Officer Jonathan Hall. These officers are veterans of the KCPD with a combination of 27 years of service. Both officers have been assigned to the Central Patrol Division since joining the department and have been partners for the last five years. For those of you who do not know them (If that’s even possible) they have dedicated their attention to the needs of patrol, with an emphasis on building relationships with the youth in our community. Their approach to community policing truly demonstrates how using creativity, along with a little fun, can be a formula for success. Despite their approach, both officers have a full understanding of the seriousness of our profession. Officer Michael Crooks and Officer Jonathan Hall attribute their success to “Avoiding negativity because it’s essentially a choice”. They also stated that their demeanor has a direct influence on how calls for service are handled, perceived, and the ultimate disposition. These officers make it a priority to interact with neighborhood youth, understanding that positive interaction with children can have an everlasting impact. These positive contacts create great opportunities to build crucial relationships and trust with children at an early age. Without this direct interaction, it is likely that these critical opportunities might not occur. Both officers take it upon themselves to pack toys and treats in their patrol vehicle to pass out. When the opportunity presents itself they also enjoy playing a pick-up game of basketball or football. From a wellness standpoint, both officers were asked what they do to handle the stress and emotional pitfalls that can occur from working the streets in Patrol. Both officers stressed that “Staying positive regardless of the situation” is paramount. They also look after each other’s emotional wellbeing by what they refer to as “Debriefing”. These officers make it a priority to simply talk to each other about what they just did or witnessed. This enables them to “leave it and forget it”. Officers Crooks and Hall are enjoying and dedicated to the work they are doing in Patrol. For now, they have no plans on doing anything different. It is important to remember that regardless of our profession, we are all still human. Each of us handles stress and deal with emotions differently. Take a moment and ask yourself if stress from work and other areas of your life are causing you to engage in unhealthy, destructive, or counterproductive behavior. If the answer is “Yes”, “Maybe”, or “I’m not sure”, then you are strongly encouraged to reach out to the Wellness Section. We can provide you with strategies, techniques, or a referral to get assistance that you can use to help yourself. We must all recognize and acknowledge that asking for help with an issue is not a weakness, but a demonstration of inner strength. Most contacts with the Wellness Section are strictly confidential. If you are more comfortable talking with a counselor, the police department has and encourages the use of the Employee Assistance Program or (EAP). If you have questions, concerns, or would like to share how you personally handle stress, please contact the Wellness Section. We are located at 901 Charlotte (HQ Annex). Our normal hours are from 0600-1600. Please feel free to stop by or make an appointment. If needed outside of regular hours we are available at the numbers listed below.Take care and be safe,Luther and RobEmployee Wellness Section 816-459-4329(Main Number)Sgt. Luther Young 816-269-8989 Luther.young@Civ. Rob Blehm (Det.R) 816-213-9103 Robert.blehm@ The KCPD Wellness Section ................
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