Big news today...Early Christmas!** First shift report pg 7**

November 28, 2018, 06:57 AM

HayesGreener

quote:
Originally posted by chongosuerte:
Any of you guys/gals that have been around for a while know I left my old agency in 2015 and started at a newer, much bigger one. It was a big leap, I left my dream gig for the great unknown, coming to a city where I didn't know anyone and starting in a division that was unlike anything I had ever worked. The move was primarily for my kids/family, after the ex moved them 250 miles from where we had lived. It brought me much closer, with better pay. And it was anything but easy.

In the almost 4 years at my new department I've been very active and worked my butt off. Right off the bat I was given big responsibilities on top of my normal job because of my unique background and certifications, and after earning my dues on the line I was able to get back into the type of policing I enjoyed-a drugs and guns unit.

It all paid off today. Been in a promotional process for the last 3 months, put in a lot of work prepping and testing and interviewing.

Got the phone call this afternoon--selected for promotion! Sergeant Chongosuerte!

It's frankly life-changing. Not just the money, but it's a completely different aspect of the job, one I've worked hard to prepare for. I've got a lot to learn, but I'm excited about this new journey!

The irony is I made sergeant here before any of my peers at my old agency have made it there. That's proof that switching was truly a great decision.

So...any advice on what I'm supposed to do now?

Set the example-lead from the front

Keep your team Focused on the mission

Always be fair and genuinely care about your people

Never forget that leadership is about your people, not about you.

The job of sergeant where the rubber meets the road in a police department is the most important of all ranks

Congratulations!

November 28, 2018, 07:04 AM

RHINOWSO

quote:
So...any advice on what I'm supposed to do now?

I’ll give you the advice often given to me in the military after an promotion or qualification.

“Good luck, now don’t fuck it up!”

Humor aside, a hearty congratulations - I have seen you labor over the years after the big D and all the struggles that entails coupled with the change of jobs. Happy to see if all start paying dividends for you. Keep it up!

November 28, 2018, 07:13 AM

DennisM

Congratulations, Sarge! Best damn job in pretty much every department in America.

Not much to add to advice except to try to be a good 'gate valve" for your guys. Unnecessary crap shouldn't flow down from above you to your officers, or percolate up to command staff from your squad. The first frees your guys to be good, effective cops. The second will not go unnoticed and will help TPTB give you the "slack" you and your squad want/need.

November 28, 2018, 07:20 AM

mutedblade

Excellent news. Continue doing what you have been and don't forget where you came from. Sometimes people forget what it's like to do the menial leg work and piss on those beneath them. Go forth and conquer with your bad self!

November 28, 2018, 07:33 AM

whododat

Congrats brother. Always give credit where credit is due.

November 28, 2018, 07:43 AM

Cliff

Congratulations to you Sargent!

November 28, 2018, 07:46 AM

k5blazer

Congratulations!

November 28, 2018, 07:47 AM

Leemur

High five dude! BTW, where do I contact you about getting out of tickets?

November 28, 2018, 07:49 AM

ShneaSIG

Congratulations!

November 28, 2018, 07:58 AM

VictimNoMore

He's not a sir, he works for a living.

Congratulations, Chongo! Well-deserved.

November 28, 2018, 08:03 AM

armedprof

Sargent,

Great news. It is hard to believe it has been four years since you came to the Queen City.

Advice: Leading and Managing are not the same skillset. You will need both daily. The best advice I can give is to make sure your team knows you love them. If they know that, when you have to deliver the crappy news that comes with middle management, they will know that you did everything you could to help mitigate the crap. No one gets into police work for the money, they do it for the love of service. Make sure you communicate that daily. It is a tough job and sometimes it is easy to get jaded when you are dealing with difficult people all the time. Don't be a Pollyanna, but make sure they remember why they go out every day.

November 28, 2018, 08:07 AM

Ricardokid11

Congratulations, and thank you for your service.

November 28, 2018, 08:10 AM

SpinZone

Congratulations

Keep doing what you do.

November 28, 2018, 08:15 AM

10-7 leo

Great News, Congratulations!

November 28, 2018, 08:18 AM

RogueJSK

Congratulations, Sarge!

(My agency doesn't have "Sergeants" specifically, having a non-military rank system, but my current position is equivalent to a Sergeant.)

As I'm sure you've recognized already, one of the biggest responsibilities is looking out for your subordinates, both by being an advocate for your team and a "shit umbrella" for crap that rolls from uphill, as well as by handling problems you discover before they become big enough to jam your guys up.

So always look for ways to stand up for and shield your guys, while also keeping an eye out for issues which you can help your guys correct and opportunities to dole out advice.