Although many law enforcement officers are counting down until they can retire, collect a pension and are thinking about what they ll do afterwards, some haven't even given those things a second thought. There are those who are bound not only to the duties and responsibilities the job brings, but who also truly savor the excitement, adventure, risks and the difference they can make in the lives of others. They're in no hurry to go anywhere, and they remain on the job because the desire and passion for policing is still in their blood.
Three veteran cops working for the Prince Georges County Police Department for more than three decades still retain their motivation for the job. Lt. John Decker has been employed with the department for 36 years. His uniform is adorned with medals that are a testimony to the hard knocks of working the street, dealing with the dangerous elements and rising through the ranks with a level of experience that can't be bought or sold. Decker was shot, along with a perpetrator during a home invasion response. Both survived. Decker received a Medal of Honor for the manner in which he took control of the barricade situation.
In 1985, he received the Chief s Award for tracking down a hit-and-run driver of a 6-year-old girl who was killed while playing in a sandbox. Because the victim's father was unable to pay the funeral expenses, Decker and his colleagues raised the money to pay for the funeral, the casket, the grave site and a wake.
Decker has awakened every morning, for 36 years, with a purpose. It's the people, the camaraderie, he said. And that is why he stays. He has received many awards throughout his career that recognize his work and pinpoint his success. A lot of these guys and gals do things everyday they should be recognized for, he said.
Twenty-five officers have been killed in the line of duty during his tenure with the department, and the vast majority of them were killed by gunfire. Recognition of that understated courage, sacrifice and commitment that keeps me around, Decker said.
Decker has always cared about people, and his career has been impacted by the traditions and values of duty, honor and commitment. You get a chance to make a difference, get a chance to help people; it's infectious, Decker said. I appreciate the people I work with and for, he added.
Do Unto Others
Lt. Douglas Murray has been his colleague in the department for 35 years. There's no reason for me to go, Murray said. I like what I'm doing.
Murray wanted to be a cop since he was a kid, and he began as a patrolman. He went to the investigative section and became a precinct detective for five years. He spent time in the robbery, homicide and the internal affairs divisions. He turned down an opportunity to work in the narcotics section. I think you endanger your life unnecessarily, he said. Currently on the motor squad, he enjoys riding. It's a high-profile assignment, Murray said. You re not confined to an office. It's very diverse.
Murray acknowledged police work can be stressful. There is a lack of support sometimes from the system in general, he said. If someone makes a complaint, there is an immediate rush to judgment. It stifles officer initiative. I could make a legitimate mistake and be crucified.
Despite the stressors, Murray has no immediate plans to retire. He still maintains a healthy outlook about his work. I look at it the same way when I first came here: Treat people like the way you want people to treat you.
Respect Is Key
Sgt. Charles Montgomery, a 33-year veteran with the department, has experienced significant death throughout his career. I buried my very first rookie, he said. That was one of the toughest things I've ever done. In addition, his classmates and close friends have died in the line of duty.
Throughout his tenure, he s been grateful he made it home safely after some rough shifts, and he s been involved in a few shooting incidents. In 2002, he received the Bronze Medal of Valor for talking a woman out of killing herself.
Regarding his role as a supervisor, Montgomery has wise words. One thing I learned a long time ago: A supervisor is only as good as his people, he said. We all come to work together; we all go home together.
He underscores the importance of being respected. Being a police officer, your integrity means a lot the way you carry yourself, he said. You give respect and you get respect back. Not everyone may like me, but they respect me.
When does he plan on retiring?
"I don't know. The job is still fun. One of these mornings I'll wake up and know it's time," he said.
Relating, Cooperation
Jack Harris, public safety manager for the Phoenix (Ariz.) Police Department, has marked 38 years in law enforcement. He began as a patrol officer and worked up through the ranks to become the leader of all security elements in the city related to public safety. I could relate very closely to the men and women of the department because I spent years in motorcycles, narcotics, and vice before I was promoted, Harris said.
He brought the 800 MHz radio systems to Phoenix that enabled him to coordinate communication with 20 police departments. That took a lot of meetings to bring in the system, he said. He s achieved cooperation between the police and fire departments and, contrary to other jurisdictions, these agencies aren t in competition with one another. That just doesn t exist here, Harris said. That cooperation between police and fire has been huge.
He introduced the program of Compressed Discipline that provides a maximum of 40 hours that an officer can be suspended for any infraction. His agency was the first in the country to implement it. That was a huge morale booster for our department, he said.
One of the biggest changes he's observed throughout his career is the attitude toward police. Bad guys don t hesitate to shoot at police, he said. Now, it's almost like it's open season on officers.
If You Enjoy It, You ll Stay
Alexandria (Va.) Police Chief Earl Cook has been in the business for 30 years. I ve enjoyed it since I started; I love the job itself, he said. He acknowledged that he has developed vital relationships and valued friendships along the way. For all of us, celebrating with our people is always the best at the end of the day, he said.
He noted, however, he's also experienced death, destruction and horror. The loss of life from September 11, 2001, is a signature moment for everyone, said Cook, who leads a department that s not far in distance from where the attack occurred on the Pentagon.
He shares the common thread with other tenured cops. You stay as long as you are viable. Don't leave because you ve reached a certain age. If you enjoy it and will want it, stay, he emphasized. Though he acknowledged this opportunity to become chief evolved at a time in his life when he may have gone somewhere else, he is glad to be there. I'm going to try to do the absolute best I can, he said.