Exposing the Sacred Cow
In an earlier post I made reference to the sacred cow of policing, which is, in my view, " the protection of image at all costs". I felt compelled to unpack that statement a little bit more as it is part and parcel of the healing process, individually and corporately. It is my intention for this blog to be about healing, and while it may sometimes be a bit more "warm and fuzzy, " at other times it may be a little more hard hitting. My motivation remains the same. I care.
Healing comes from the cultivation of goodness, or new growth, but often requires the removal of old mindsets and cultural beliefs, and this process can be painful to begin. Healing comes when truth is spoken within a motivating emotion of care and concern. I certainly don't claim to possess absolute truth, I do lay claim to committing my life to pursuing truth, and there lies the difference.
With that disclaimer... on to the sacred cow. Several years ago Paul Palango wrote two books on the politicization of the RCMP. His book The Last Guardians is an almost frightening, yet necessary, read as the average constable in Cranbrook B.C. ( or any other detachment across Canada ) , trying their best to do a very difficult job, has very little understanding as to what drives the purpose and corporate ethos of a very large machine.
One reason why many mounties would find it to be an objectionable read is that they may have attached their identities to their role, vocation, or false image of what it means to be a mountie. If the average police officer is not able to objectively evaluate criticism of their respective police force, and begin asking the tough questions of themselves and their organization, then the underlying worldview becomes one of institutionalization and corporate pride.
The RCMP Act itself bears witness to this premise as it makes it an offence for an RCMP officer to do anything which may criticize or "embarass" the force. This includes speaking, and/or exposing truth. Ironically when one exposes truth it is not their actions that causes embarassment. It is a shining of light on the actions/omissions/or policies that the police force should or may be rightfully embarrassed about. The correction of the actions or situation should be the focus of the organization's efforts but in most instances the bearer of critical truth becomes the object of the correcting mechanisms.
The ability to critically evaluate doing the right thing begins at the very top of the organization. The ability to admit ones mistakes begins at the top as well. Admitting a mistake however, can be perceived as weakness by some. How many memo's have I read ( or disciplinary and even judicial decisions) which read something along the lines of " this action undermines the public confidence in the ability of the (insert name of police force) to provide the service and protection they require."
This verbal rhetoric has been used in many cases to justify an autocratic and malicious handling of police officers who a) have either made an error in judgment or b) who have the courage to challenge the status quo and speak truth. What this statement is really saying is " we have to protect our image" and that is merely another way of worshiping the sacred cow, cloaked in the disguise of law and order.
What actions that may be deemed to undermine the public confidence then becomes a highly subjective and dangerous opinion, which begins at the top of the organization. If a leader has an opinion that an action needs to be remedied ( perhaps by an over reacting disciplinary process) , the question needs to be asked, what kind of accountability system is in place to ensure that the leader in question is acting with wisdom and objectivity?
How much more confidence in a policing organization would the public have if its leaders were able to be honest and forthright about their own and its own fallibilities.
To be able to admit that, as with any organization made of people, that mistakes will be made; rank does not automatically impart wisdom; autocratic decisions and structure, and command and control methods of management do not work; objective truth cannot be hidden; and mutual accountability, regardless of rank or service, is a spiritual truth that transcends the sacred cow and the actions or opinions of those willing to worship it.
What a refreshing and authentic method of providing a policing service. In this way, the media does not become the enemy, civilian oversight does not become the enemy, criticism and accountability does not become the enemy and a dissenting voice is one to be heard.
The question for hurting or confused, or even angry police officers ( whether they are angry with their organization or angry with me for writing this ) can be this " have you been worshipping the sacred cow?" and in a shameless theft from Dr. Phil...
" how's that working for you?"
For policing to heal, the idol of image and institution must be replaced by objective truth, goodness, and corporate humility. This is not a change of leadership gurus ( like Steven Covey) to read or follow, cliche policing ( " community based policing" - "intelligence lead policing") to adapt, or media strategies to develop. It is a corporate soul change that begins with the leaders of government and institutions at the top. This is a long road. But it is the only road worth travelling.
Healing comes from the cultivation of goodness, or new growth, but often requires the removal of old mindsets and cultural beliefs, and this process can be painful to begin. Healing comes when truth is spoken within a motivating emotion of care and concern. I certainly don't claim to possess absolute truth, I do lay claim to committing my life to pursuing truth, and there lies the difference.
With that disclaimer... on to the sacred cow. Several years ago Paul Palango wrote two books on the politicization of the RCMP. His book The Last Guardians is an almost frightening, yet necessary, read as the average constable in Cranbrook B.C. ( or any other detachment across Canada ) , trying their best to do a very difficult job, has very little understanding as to what drives the purpose and corporate ethos of a very large machine.
One reason why many mounties would find it to be an objectionable read is that they may have attached their identities to their role, vocation, or false image of what it means to be a mountie. If the average police officer is not able to objectively evaluate criticism of their respective police force, and begin asking the tough questions of themselves and their organization, then the underlying worldview becomes one of institutionalization and corporate pride.
The RCMP Act itself bears witness to this premise as it makes it an offence for an RCMP officer to do anything which may criticize or "embarass" the force. This includes speaking, and/or exposing truth. Ironically when one exposes truth it is not their actions that causes embarassment. It is a shining of light on the actions/omissions/or policies that the police force should or may be rightfully embarrassed about. The correction of the actions or situation should be the focus of the organization's efforts but in most instances the bearer of critical truth becomes the object of the correcting mechanisms.
The ability to critically evaluate doing the right thing begins at the very top of the organization. The ability to admit ones mistakes begins at the top as well. Admitting a mistake however, can be perceived as weakness by some. How many memo's have I read ( or disciplinary and even judicial decisions) which read something along the lines of " this action undermines the public confidence in the ability of the (insert name of police force) to provide the service and protection they require."
This verbal rhetoric has been used in many cases to justify an autocratic and malicious handling of police officers who a) have either made an error in judgment or b) who have the courage to challenge the status quo and speak truth. What this statement is really saying is " we have to protect our image" and that is merely another way of worshiping the sacred cow, cloaked in the disguise of law and order.
What actions that may be deemed to undermine the public confidence then becomes a highly subjective and dangerous opinion, which begins at the top of the organization. If a leader has an opinion that an action needs to be remedied ( perhaps by an over reacting disciplinary process) , the question needs to be asked, what kind of accountability system is in place to ensure that the leader in question is acting with wisdom and objectivity?
How much more confidence in a policing organization would the public have if its leaders were able to be honest and forthright about their own and its own fallibilities.
To be able to admit that, as with any organization made of people, that mistakes will be made; rank does not automatically impart wisdom; autocratic decisions and structure, and command and control methods of management do not work; objective truth cannot be hidden; and mutual accountability, regardless of rank or service, is a spiritual truth that transcends the sacred cow and the actions or opinions of those willing to worship it.
What a refreshing and authentic method of providing a policing service. In this way, the media does not become the enemy, civilian oversight does not become the enemy, criticism and accountability does not become the enemy and a dissenting voice is one to be heard.
The question for hurting or confused, or even angry police officers ( whether they are angry with their organization or angry with me for writing this ) can be this " have you been worshipping the sacred cow?" and in a shameless theft from Dr. Phil...
" how's that working for you?"
For policing to heal, the idol of image and institution must be replaced by objective truth, goodness, and corporate humility. This is not a change of leadership gurus ( like Steven Covey) to read or follow, cliche policing ( " community based policing" - "intelligence lead policing") to adapt, or media strategies to develop. It is a corporate soul change that begins with the leaders of government and institutions at the top. This is a long road. But it is the only road worth travelling.
posted by Bob S at 12:01 p.m.
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