Words of Advice to New Officers

Maintain a life OUTSIDE of law enforcement!

Make being mentally healthy a priority.

Check ego at the door. Be open to learning, and know that that things change over time. Learn to overcome, improvise and adapt. Ask for help if it's  needed. Keep loved ones close. Keep faith in humanity.

Mental health is a priority. Above all else.  

Know that your own integrity should matter more to you than anyone else.   You alone build it over the course of a lifetime and you alone can lose it in an instant. Once lost, it is very likely lost for good. #ethicsmatter

Put God first, keep your mind, body and soul pure.

A lot of people jump into the jobs or make the choices that they think are more prestigious without thinking much else. Find your niche in law  enforcement that you enjoy.

You are responsible for your safety, education/training, and mental health.

A quality police department will provide opportunities and assistance.

However, the department does not "conduct a traffic stop, decide the best  tactical approach to a call for service or knock on the front door where a domestic is in progress." You do these tasks.  

The department will periodically send you to in-service training. Read  articles, have discussions, and take classes, even when the department  is not paying you.

The department may offer mental health resources; use them. If the department is not proactive, seek out  assistance; peer support, and employee assistance programs are  confidential.

Law enforcement action is a skill set you must continually develop.