Police reform? Start with our veterans.

Recently, the citizens of the City of Racine, WI were asked to provide recommendations on police reformation to the Racine Police Department. Amongst other things, one of the key recommendations was that the City “exclude ex-military [from the police department's recruitment efforts] due to a possible militaristic approach” to police work.

This collective thought is both disappointing and disheartening because of the way that it falsely stereotypes military veterans, but it is made even more painful because it denies Racine residents from the benefit of having former military service members working to protect their communities.

Today’s calls for “defunding the police” are really calls for improving the way police officers respond to and deal with the complex, volatile situations that they are called upon to mediate. It is in this realm where the veteran experience is most valuable.

Former military service members bring a wealth of traits that can’t be taught in a classroom or in a criminal justice academy:

1. It’s almost en vogue to thank a veteran for their service, but what are we thanking them for? For the selflessness of serving to protect the rest of us? For the sacrifice of committing to an underpaid, perilous job? For the boldness of committing to several years of an unknown destiny? Yes to all of the above. The subtext of our appreciation for veterans is the recognition that they demonstrated a commitment to serving others. Signing up for a military commitment isn’t to be taken lightly. There are few other instances in the world comparable to signing a legally-binding, contractual agreement that surrenders some of your rights and acknowledges that the government now controls your freedom, night and day. They can move you anywhere at anytime, assign you any job, or place you in direct peril at will. Whether a veteran came into the military to serve a patriotic calling or simply for college money is irrelevant; for the vast majority of veterans, what they depart the service with is an understanding of service and a pride in having served something bigger than themselves. That commitment to serving one’s fellow human beings is a hallmark of military veterans and one that both communities and police departments want in their officers.
2. Veterans know how to take and give orders with some compassion and diplomacy. Unlike sensationalistic Hollywood portrayals of hardcore military leaders who are void of any humanity, in the real world, military leaders must lead with empathy and understanding. Military veterans are adept at taking those same skills to their next careers, be it in the boardroom or on the street dealing with both civilians and suspects with the same diplomacy and understanding that made was engrained in them in the military.

1. While police are subject to Use of Force policies and military personnel are guided by Rules of Engagement, the foundations of the separate governances are similar: Here is what you can and can’t do to protect yourself or others. Soldiers’ experience operating under Rules of Engagement isn’t a detriment because of its fundamental differences from Use of Force, it’s a tactical enhancer because the former-soldier-turned-cop has operated under restrictions on their behavior and knows how to de-escalate or seek alternatives to deadly force.
2. Perhaps most importantly, the divisive events across our Nation - from the riots in the Capitol to the burning of American cities - have demonstrated that police officers can be vilified from extremists on both sides of the aisle. If our communities ever needed people who can deal with the emotional rollercoaster and ofttimes thankless job of being a police officer, it is today. And no one can handle that stress better than a veteran.

The list of reasons that military veterans make exceptional police officers goes on and on. The suggestions that police officials need to be wary of hiring veterans who are still working out emotional issues from combat deployments is seemingly based in logic, except that it is wholly inaccurate to suggest that anything more than a marginal percentage* of veterans suffer from mental or emotional health issues that hinder their ability to protect and serve their communities in a fair and compassionate manner (*this is not to trivialize or stigmatize those veterans who do need mental health support). The notion that veterans are ill-equipped for police work because of the trauma experienced in war is not supported by anything more than conjecture and anecdotal evidence. In fact, the military's increasing focus on emotional and mental health is helping veterans understand human emotional needs and bring that understanding and compassion to their work in community policing.

In their survey, the City of Racine asked residents what they envisioned for the future of their police department. The City's report notes that respondents consistently expressed a desire for “positive relations”, a foundation built on "trust and respect”, and officers integrated into the community to act “more as peace keepers”.

Nowhere is there a group of diverse individuals more qualified with these skill sets than amongst the veteran population. Today’s calls for “defunding the police” are really calls for improving the way police officers respond to and deal with the complex, volatile situations that they are called upon to mediate. Veterans-turned-police-officers don’t exacerbate the current problems for police departments and communities, they help solve them. Let’s hope smarter heads prevail in Racine and anywhere else veterans are mislabeled and misunderstood for the value they bring.

Jonathan Cleck serves as a Director for Greencastle Consulting where he consults with clients on leadership challenges and innovative solutions. He’s also a hot mess of expensive hobbies and volunteer work for veteran-focused nonprofits. Jonathan served in a variety of military, private sector and government positions, including 25-years as a Navy SEAL and 12 years as a Federal law enforcement officer. Jonathan regularly speaks to audiences on leadership, managing high stress situations, and team-building. In his spare time, he can be found dodging rotten tomatoes and beer bottles on Philly’s amateur stand-up comedy circuit.