Navigating our Policing Careers: Mentorship and the Path to Wisdom

In policing, the journey from rookie to wise, seasoned officer is a winding road filled with challenges, lessons, and pivotal moments that shape one's perspective. Reflecting on my own career, there's one particular anecdote that stands out, a moment when I learned the importance of humility, wisdom, and especially, the value of mentorship.

It was the mid-1980s, and I was a deputy sheriff with about five years of experience under my belt. Confident in my abilities, I found myself in a situation where I was eager to make some significant arrests, to prove myself as a capable officer. Back in the day, amongst your peers, there was healthy competition on who made the most legitimate arrests on your shift. You often heard in the locker room or parking lot, “How many pink slips (arrestee booking slips) did you get today, Bro.”

In this situation, there was a case on the table, a misdemeanor, but one that also could be considered as a borderline scenario and be construed as a felony with a bit of resourceful interpretation.

Determined to pursue the matter aggressively, I sought guidance from a colleague, a San Bernardino County deputy district attorney, presenting my case and hoping for validation. However, instead of affirmation, I received a dose of much-needed wisdom. The deputy district attorney gently reminded me of the importance of sticking to the facts, of not letting personal ambition cloud my judgment.

Undeterred, I turned to my sergeant, seeking approval for my more aggressive approach. But once again, I was met with a reminder to exercise wisdom and compassion in my actions. The veteran sergeant emphasized the need to approach each situation with a balanced perspective, considering the implications of my decisions on both the individual and the community at large.

It was the kind of “Aha!” moment that can define an officer’s career while raising two important questions: Can you listen? and, can you learn? It’s something that could have happened to a cop 40 years ago, or 10 years ago, or even today. I chose to listen, and to evolve. Ultimately, I realized the significance of humility and the power of mentorship. I learned that being a cop isn't just about making arrests or enforcing the law—it's about exercising sound judgment, showing compassion, and understanding the nuances of each situation. I will remain forever indebted to my sergeant for helping me learn that lesson.

As a retired police officer, I find myself reflecting on the evolving landscape of policing in a tumultuous society, where technology and emerging artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly prevalent. While these advancements offer new tools and capabilities, they must be tempered with the wisdom and experience that is requisite to becoming a wise, seasoned officer.

Today, when the spotlight is often on flashy technology and quick solutions, it's crucial not to overlook the importance of mentorship and the cultivation of critical thinking skills among young officers. As we look to the future of policing, let us remember the lessons of the past and the value of wisdom passed down from generations of veteran cops to the younger generations who follow in their footsteps.

The integration of technology and AI undoubtedly holds promise for enhancing law enforcement practices. However, without a foundation of wisdom and mentorship, these advancements may fall short of their potential. Young officers must learn to harness the power of technology while also embracing the timeless principles of compassion, integrity, and sound judgment, which you learn by listening, and evolving. Those things must be conveyed, not by machines, but by those more experienced.

In the end, being a police officer is about more than just making arrests – it's about making a positive impact, one informed decision at a time. And that comes through experience, which perhaps is the greatest lesson of all as we navigate the ever-changing landscape of policing, preparing ourselves for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

About the author

David G. Dominguez is a retired chief of police with more than 33 years of public safety experience, including time with a major metropolitan sheriff’s department and two municipal police departments - all in Southern California. He currently serves as Senior VP of the National Command and Staff College and is a Senior Law Enforcement Advisor with the U.S. Department of Justice, International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) where he travels internationally.