What's Under the Uniform?

In the past several days there have been three events take place that have caused me to reflect on the crucial role that character plays in policing. More than ever, the public is demanding accountability, transparency and a critical evaluation of its policing services.

Yesterday, I attended a court case providing emotional support for a friend who was in turn supporting a loved one who was facing charges related to an arrest. I sat watching the young police officer and was struck by his honesty and apparent desire to speak the truth. Yet, as he was being thoroughly cross examined, I detected a subtle hint of defensiveness as he realized that he had made some mistakes in the arrest. His defensiveness transferred into evasiveness which had the effect of reducing his credibility somewhat. I knew what he was going through as I recall the numerous court cases that I was involved in where I chose evasiveness in the areas where I had made mistakes. How refreshing it would have been for me back then to admit to my errors and let the chips fall where they may so to speak. The young officer's credibility, while not necessarily diminished, would have been significantly raised had he faced his understandable fallibilities and conceded the points raised by the defence lawyer.

The second event that has taken place has been the apparent lack of response of the Commissioner of the RCMP to demands for accountability and answers respecting several high profile situations that have surfaced in the news. Like the young constable who was being evasive in the face of procedural criticisms, it would appear that the same could be said of the Commissioner and senior management in not only the RCMP, but many other police institutions. Evasiveness reduces credibility and I would venture to say that the Commissioner, at this time, is suffering from a credibility crisis with the public he serves and the men and women he leads.

The third event was a phone conversation I had this morning with an RCMP member who has committed his efforts in his profession to standing up for the rank and file membership. His frustration with the leadership of the institution, that he has toiled mightily for, was visceral. It is difficult for a thinking member of a police force to buy into words like integrity and truth and honor, service and transparency when in the words of many police officers there would appear to be a "double standard."

Issues of character in the profession of policing do not have a double standard. They only appear so when the words used to define the character espoused are without a foundational understanding of what these same words truly mean. Accountability has always been a two way street, and ones character will always come to the surface when one is being asked to be accountable for their decisions, actions and failures.

The character of the men and women beneath the uniform, regardless of rank, will reveal itself when they are faced with the inevitable necessity of answering the tough questions about their own decisions. The uniform, rank, or position only reflects the exterior of the person who wears it, often masking the character that lies beneath. It is what is inside that will mark the person for who he or she really is. And this inevitably outs itself in times where accountability is demanded, or to put it more bluntly, when the heat is on.

Character is refined by failure and struggle. A noble character bears the mantle of humility, and humility comes when one can admit weakness and mistakes and the need for personal change. It would seem that the power corridors of Ottawa are not necessarily the safest place to admit weakness, errors, mistakes, and character flaws, yet this process must begin with the individual as he or she looks in the mirror in the morning and chooses to take off the uniform of pride, conceit, arrogance, fear, cover - up and contempt for others.

The refining and development of noble character requires a paradigm shift of radical proportions as one contemplates issues such as the purpose of life, the definition of leadership, and the very careful and responsible use of power. It is a journey of passionate desire for truth that overrides personal ambitions and self aggrandizement.

It is a heart issue. It always has been and always will be. And what is in the heart of the person who wears the uniform will always show itself in action, behaviour and language.

Angry Decisions - Step Seven

The Twelve Steps - Step Seven

Original wording ( A.A.): Humbly asked our Higher power to remove our shortcomings.

Corporate Wording: The motivation for making management decisions will no longer come from pride and arrogance, anger and defensiveness, or power and control. Decisions will come from humble and honest dialogue, wisdom and courage, empathy and understanding.

Commentary:

I have postponed moving on to the seventh step of the twelve step theme of cultural reformation because I do not wish to be overly critical of an institution that I still care about. When we talk of reformation and transformation, however, it is inevitable that an honest and critical analysis of shortcomings take place. I do not profess to be without shortcomings myself, nor do I necessarily have the answers. What I have had opportunity to do is to reflect and learn from my own weaknesses and shortcomings and come to desire change. I have also done much reflection on the institutional shortcomings that I have experienced. As in my own case, bringing these to light will cause pain, but this is a necessary step in the recovery process.

The RCMP as an institution is in dire need of change. There are too many broken and wrecked lives at stake, past, present and future. My use of story and illustration from my experiences is not designed to "embarass" but rather to shine light on the institutional shortcomings that really flow out of the shortcomings of individuals.

This commentary may prove to be my most provocative and controversial yet, however I feel compelled to speak truth for the sake of the institution and the individuals within, particularly those who are passionate for positive change.

In 1999, in my frustration and disillusionment with a seemingly manipulative strategy of apparent propaganda in the "war" on biker gangs, I released some benign documents to an author which outlined a national strategy to use media releases about biker gang activity to motivate the public to put pressure on the government to provide more resources for police. The strategy in and of itself, while, in my view, ineffective and politically motivated, was not necessarily so outrageous. When coupled with the historic investigative inaction against biker gangs, it became a strong issue of frustration for many investigationally minded police officers.

I have always maintained that my actions were ill advised and a lapse in judgment. What I have also maintained is that my motives were true and my frustrations were valid. To some, this sounded like a half hearted apology. I could not, however, compromise on my own motives. They were true then and they are true now. Once these documents were printed ( which was not my intent) and other police officers were suspected, in good conscience and with much anguish I admitted my actions to my managers.

My own 'mea culpa' resulted in a dominoe effect of decisions based on the foundation of anger, fear, and negative pride. In preparation for my internal disciplinary hearing I sought out the evidence to support this argument. Several disclosure, and Privacy Act requests later I gleaned the evidence that I required.

Senior executives in the RCMP could not disguise their rage in e-mails as they dialogued back and forth about the media attention my case was generating. The RCMP prosecutor's correspondance with other senior officers dripped with sarcasm and contempt. These emotions eventually resulted in his illegal withholding of relevant disclosure evidence, and my successful bid for justice at the Federal Court of Canada.

Orders were given, suspensions and attempted stoppages of pay, gag orders, and administrative intimidation tactics employed. Two or three witnesses remarked after my hearing that the piercing and intimidating stare of the RCMP adjudication board chairman had a rattling effect on their ability to courageously speak truth.

The rage did not stop with me. At least three police officers who gave evidence became victims of career sabotage, with one losing his security clearance for seven months, without evidence or investigation. All for the offence of speaking truth under oath. The details of what took place at this time would shock and dismay most objective observers, and as I work towards the writing of a book on these experiences, I know in my heart that there are some stories that need to be told. Good men of integrity were hurt deeply as the creeping tentacles of anger and contempt took hold of otherwise decent people in positions of authority.

Inevitably, decisions made from fear, rage, contempt, arrogance, and intimidation are wrong decisions. I thank God for the courage He gave me to stand against these decisions and challenge them.

The disciplinary process and decisions stemming from these negative emotions were wrong, and the Federal Court of Canada agreed, overturning an order to resign, and re-instating me to the RCMP.

The shortcomings of the RCMP, and I would suggest all police agencies, are highlighted in the decisions that come from areas of pride, anger, contempt, sarcasm, cynicism and abuse of power. When decisions are made under the influence of wisdom and the emotions of peace, kindness, courage, and doing what is right, these become decisions that will restore the institution of the RCMP to one of nobility and honor.

There are wise and courageous leaders in the RCMP. It is up to them to stand against the shortcomings of their peers. Angry people make angry decisions. Peaceful and wise people make peaceful and wise decisions. These will always be the right decisions.

I ask this question of the reader. Does reading this make you angry? Or does reading this make you smile and reflect on the possibility that what I am attempting to say may make some sense. Is it possible?

Hope

In the stormy seas of life, where is your lighthouse? In this past year I spoke with a man who had painfully shared that he had contemplated suicide on several occasions in his life. He spoke of a time when it seemed like the waves were crashing in on him from all sides, and he was so close to going under. Marital problems, addictions, job loss, despair. Many of us take pride in bulldozing our way through the struggles and heartache of lifes traumas, and wonder, usually insensitively, why others can't just suck it up and move on.

Emotions are bottled in, our masks are placed firmly on, and we cannot possibly show weakness or vulnerability to one another for fear of judgment and ridicule. We suffer in silence when we hear people speak of the weaknesses of others, recognizing the same weaknesses in ourselves.

The waves of ridicule, condemnation, shame, judgment, and other peoples opinions of us continue to pound down upon us as we try to navigate the already choppy waters of life.

Where is the light? Where is the hope? Our own strength and intelligence can only carry us so far if we are to be gut wrenchingly honest with ourselves. The mask of having it all together becomes more and more precariously balanced as we struggle to keep up this image.

When we are struggling, whether it be with addictions or other issues in life,we are often told by well meaning people that we are strong, that we can get through this. In my own experiences with life I have come to realize that as opposed to hanging on to my own strength, that it was much more liberating to accept and embrace my own weakness.

Until we are able to recognize our weaknesses and fallibilities are we able to humbly accept that there is something much more powerful than us that is at work in this world. Our God of love is the strength for those willing to admit their need. Our god of self will inevitably let us down and fail us in our own strength.

If the waves are crashing down on you and you are struggling with life, feeling depressed, desperate, disillusioned, maybe it is time to seek out a new light house. There is hope for radical change in our lives when we come to the realization that we desperately need it and want it. I encourage the reader, wherever they may be in life, to click on to the link to the right of your screen, Community of Hope. Open your heart and mind to the true lighthouse that will bring you through the stormy seas of life. What have you got to lose?

Be The Change

My friend, and pastor, Stew Carson once encouraged me and others to find our holy discontent. What he meant by this was to find something in life that you are passionate about changing. There are so many wrongs around us and in us that it is difficult to address them all. Becoming at peace with the fact that injustices will always take place, does not mean that a person should ignore, accept, or roll over when an injustice hits them smack in the face. Chasing injustices can lead to frustration. Confronting the injustices in your own life and circle of influence can lead to freedom and courage and change.

How many cop coffee conversations are marked by the frustration about persons, situations, and injustices? This is an indicator that we desire change and yet so often do not know how to usher in change in our lives and environments. Ghandi's words ring true. If you are griping for change, become that change. If you are angry about poor leadership, become a courageous leader. If you are angry about deceit become a speaker of truth. If you are angry or disillusioned about where you are at in life, then start asking the questions and seeking objective truth, open your mind and heart to areas where they were previously closed.

The next time you find yourself complaining about a person, situation, or injustice, ask yourself what it is that is in your capacity to challenge or change the situation. Your holy discontent could just be a prodding in your soul as to what your purpose is here on this earth. Listen to the discontent and take the risk of action.