Lt. Pat Ciser Teamwork take

Teamwork
By: Lieutenant Patrick J. Ciser (Ret.)

Teams … Have you ever been on one? Do you consider yourself to be part of a team within your law enforcement agency? I hope so. As kids, many of us were on Little League baseball teams, “Pop Warner”-type football teams, basketball, hockey, soccer, track teams and so many others. It always seemed like an easy concept and one that builds character as we grow. Arbitrary lines many times would be drawn, pitting some kids against their friends who just happened to live on the other side of town. Where I live in Wayne, New Jersey, we have two high schools separated by Ratzer Road. So as a result of having two public schools, rather than one, the schools have a fierce football rivalry. Wayne has a population of about 53,000 and could have had one high school like my alma mater, Clifton High School. But with Wayne being 26 square miles, I understand why they created two. To me, however, it seems like a family divided as I have so many friends on both sides. Larger New Jersey cities, however, like Newark, Jersey City, and Paterson, have no choice but to divide their municipalities up because of their sheer numbers.

Ever hear guys in the Marine Corps selling shit about the Air Force? But I’ll bet in war zones when the flyboys show up, the Marines would like to buy them a beer. If you’re deployed to the Middle East and meet a guy from your home state, I’d say there’s potential there that he’ll become one of your best friends. That’s what I like about battlefields, if there is something to like that is. Americans of all races, religions or ethnic backgrounds become one when they’re fighting on the same team. This applies to both domestic and foreign battles.

Sometimes we divide our team without even realizing it. I suppose there’s no real harm in the Italian, Hispanic, or Black Police Officers Associations, but personally, I feel no allegiance to the Irish, Germans or English, which Ancestry.com says of which I’m all a part. I do, however, have a strong allegiance to America, as do we all, and would like to be called simply an American. The New Jersey Honor Legion got it right, as all ethnic backgrounds are welcome.

In law enforcement, many times we’ll see division within our own departments. I’m told that the teamwork and camaraderie isn’t what it used to be, however, no one has to remind me of some of the backstabbing I witnessed in my 28-year career. I believe that in the City of Clifton, and other cities with civil service promotions, it wasn’t quite as bad as some of the “Chief’s Test” towns. Then, if you work for a Sheriff’s Department, it can really be bad for you depending on who you supported in the last election. Let’s face it, if your candidate wins, you win, but if they lose …

Internally, jealousy, ego and politics, always seemed to creep into the diurnal conversations in the hallways and local “cop” bars, which is always unfortunate.  But I can tell you this: When the call came in, “shots fired!!” EVERYONE was suddenly on the same team! But, to my chagrin, this, too, was short-lived.

Make no mistake! Today is extremely challenging for all of our LEO’s working in any capacity, as politicians and special interest groups sell us out, and continually drive a wedge between us.  Bosses many times don’t want to “rock the boat,” leaving us to wonder if they’re even on the same team as the rank and file, who would like to be more proactive. Prosecutors used to support our hard work as we risk our lives to ensure public safety, but now, many big city prosecutors don’t even want to charge certain criminal offenders let alone prosecute them. Assault on a police officer, for instance, is no longer a “big deal” and in most cases doesn’t even require bail.

It is incumbent upon each and every one of you, to stand proud and be the cop you were always meant to be regardless of those who would undercut your efforts. Run down a burglar or drug dealer, stop a domestic violence assault, talk to a teen about not doing drugs, save a potential suicide victim, including our Brothers and Sisters, but make sure that you do it for YOU, and be PROUD, that you did. And continue to build and support your team, because if we don’t, nobody else is going to.