Saving the Brotherhood: Make the Call
/Saving the Brotherhood
By: Monica Eaton
Police work is hard. It’s not for everyone.
Statistics will show cops are at a higher rate for obesity, mental health problems, suicide and divorce.
Cops will often tell you we have a brotherhood. One that exists to protect each other. To put our lives on the line for each other and to “hold the blue line.”
Cops also know that in many departments, that isn’t completely true. Many will tell you that the inside of a department is more of a “dog eat dog” world. We bitch, we complain, we tear each other down.
But why?
Why do we allow a negative work environment to be created within a mostly negative job to begin with?
Cops see people at their absolute worst more often than seeing people at their best. Cops see death, abuse, drugs, stabbings, and shootings, all of it.
We need to do better. We need to genuinely be there for our coworkers and ask them how they are doing. We don’t have to be best friends with everyone. But we can certainly have compassion for all. Everyone is struggling with something.
This goes for all first responders. Check on your coworkers. Lift them up. Be a shoulder to lean on. Be a positive person when there is always negativity around.
I challenge you to reach out to a coworker you don’t usually talk to. Ask them how they’re doing, and genuinely listen.
Take care of each other.
Monica Eaton is the owner/CEO of Five-0 Fierce and Fit which creates online nutrition and fitness programs designed to help female first responders lose fat, gain strength, and take back their confidence in 90 days because “your family depends on you to be fit for duty.” Using her six year Oklahoma law enforcement experience along with her 15-year background in fitness and nutrition she helps female first responders reach their full potential in life and career. Look her up on Instagram @five0.fierce.and.fit
