Starting a career as a police officer can be exciting, invigorating, and even a little bit

intimidating.  We reached out to existing police officers, including Dr. Patrick Calhoun who has
24 years’ experience with the Tulsa Police Department, and asked them what they thought is
required to succeed in this profession. As you prepare for a meaningful career protecting the
safety of others, consider how you can improve your skills and provide the best service possible.
Choosing to Become a Police Officer
When you chose to become a police officer, you likely had several considerations to
make. What type of income did you need to support yourself and your family, what level of risk
are you willing to place yourself in on a daily basis, and how can you best match your skills with
the needs of the world? Choosing to become a police officer is a weighty decision because you
not only take risks with your own safety, but also take responsibility for the safety of others.
Expectations of a Police Officer
Police officers often speak about the expectations placed upon them. Officers need to
be clear-headed, quick on their feet, respectful, strong, and more. A police department may
expect an officer to work irregular shifts, fill in on nights and weekends, or step in as needed
during catastrophic events, even if off duty. Most of all, the community expects police officers to
be excellent at their jobs in order to be ready to serve.
Qualities of a Good Police Officer
Certain characteristics are desirable in law enforcement professionals.  These traits
determine their level of professionalism, how safe others feel around them, how suspects
interact with them, and even the future trajectory of their career. Some of the most important
personal qualities, as described by existing police officers, are listed below.
Communication
While most popular shows and movies depict police work as active and exciting, there is
also a very important element of communication involved. This includes writing thorough
reports that are easy to read, communicating clearly with teammates, and even speaking with
potential suspects. Here's what Calhoun had to say about communication:
"Emotional Quotient" is the ability to listen empathetically; speak in a manner that
communicates the message you intend to communicate; write professionally, as if your writing
will end up in front of the U.S. Supreme Court; and ensure that your body language is congruent
with your intended message. It is also displaying a sense of "command presence." This is the first
level of defense. Bad guys must know (or at least believe) that an officer is ready and able to
handle any situation. A person with a high EQ will succeed in the criminal justice system if they
are willing to possess the following qualifications.
Integrity
“Integrity is being the person in private that your pastor thinks you are on Sunday
morning,” Calhoun said.
 Most people go into law enforcement for the service of others and it is impossible to do
well in this role without a high level of integrity. Civilians need to know that they can trust you
and that they are safe. Those who pose threats to others need to know that you will treat them
with respect. Other officers on your team need to know that in intense situations, they can trust
you to be safe and watch their backs.
“Integrity is also the essential ingredient in leading others,” Calhoun said. “As people in
the criminal justice system, integrity is the difference between a just system and a corrupt one.
Without integrity, you don’t have leadership, you have intimidation.”
Technical Skills
Of course technical skills play a large part in the day-to-day duties of police officers.
Some technical skills Calhoun shared are defensive driving, offensive driving, spatial awareness,
defending yourself in a fight, and more.
“This requires continuous training and physical abilities,” Calhoun said. “The officers that
are physically unfit are ill prepared for conflict. They also do not exhibit a sense of command
presence.”
Resilience
In today's society, police officers need to have thick skin and a sense of resilience. 
Sometimes, you may be seen as the enemy, and it will be important to bounce back from those
comments and understand your true worth and the importance of what you do. Calhoun said
resilience can also help you face challenges that are sure to come up in a law enforcement
career.
“It's the ability to determine truth even though your emotions or presuppositions
conflict with the evidence. You have to be able to put your personal feelings aside and follow
the evidence, regardless,” Calhoun said.

Financial Planning
“People seeking the purpose of serving others in the criminal justice system are not
going to get rich (if they possess integrity) but they can retire comfortably,” Calhoun said. “They
must learn how to manage their finances and plan for their future.”
When you’re young and working a high intensity job, retirement planning may not be
the first thing on your mind. Follow the advice of experienced officers on this matter. Your
future self will thank you.
How to Become a Police Officer
The steps to becoming a police officer can vary depending on your goals and desired
lifestyle. However, there are a few milestones along the path. You will likely need to attend a
police academy, earn some level of education, apply at a station and be hired. To learn more
about becoming a police officer or how SNU's criminal justice program that’s designed for adult
students can help you reach your career goals.
 My father was a man’s man. In World War II he served as a drill instructor in the United
States Marine Corps. He went to law school and passed the state bar exam on his first attempt,
despite being ill with a high fever and hands swollen from hives.

He became an administrative law judge, deciding multi-million dollar cases. He wore a

crew cut, had a deep voice, embraced pragmatism and was a veritable polymath. In contrast, I
was a sensitive kid with long hair who loved to draw cartoons and write creative stories. Not
exactly Marine Corps material.
When I was sixteen I worked up the courage to tell Dad I wanted to be an artist and
writer. He sat back in his reading chair, closed his book and said, “There’s a fellow in town
named Jack Wilson. He’s a palette knife painter. I like his work. But here’s the thing, Johnny. It’s
a tough life. Jack is on the road a lot, going to different art shows. A career in the arts can be
hard.”
Where dreams confront reality
Dad’s response was not what I wanted to hear. But then he added, “There’s no reason
why you can’t be an artist and writer. But get an education first and find a career that interests
you, to pay the bills. Then, in your off time, you can paint and write. If the art takes off, great.
But you’ll always have the other profession to fall back on.”
“So pragmatic and predictable,” I thought to myself. “The perfect recipe for selling out
and settling into an unremarkable life of mediocrity. Nope, not for me.”
Of course, I folded pretty quickly.
After all, the old man was footing the bill for college. I put my art dreams on hold and
declared a major in criminal justice administration. My thought was to become an attorney or
police officer to pay the bills.
Between classes, I drew editorial cartoons for the university newspaper, which fed my
creative appetite. After graduation, Dad talked me into graduate school where I obtained my
master’s degree in criminal justice administration. I was clearly on the pragmatic career path.
Everyone has something they’re waiting for
In Jeff Goins’ book The In-Between, he writes, “Everyone has something they’re waiting
for…” and “[t]he irony is that when we think we are standing still, we are actually growing the
most. What gets us to our destinations are the pauses, the breaks, the in-between.”
I accepted the fact that my art would have to wait. I enrolled in the police academy after
graduate school and in short order was hired by a local police department. Six months of field
training later and I was released to solo patrol. Just a young artist trapped in a policeman’s
uniform.
I was firmly ensconced in my in-between. What I couldn’t have known was how the
roller coaster that followed would change me.
 There would be a fatal police shooting in my rookie year. High-speed pursuits, death
notifications, and the suicide of a close friend. I would bear witness to heartrending tragedies
involving abused children and forgotten seniors. But there were also inspiring moments of true
grace.
I saw the best and worst in people. And all of it was teaching me volumes about life and
humanity. The kind of stuff that gets into your soul, sharpens your insights, and equips you to be
a better writer.
Seven cop tips for better writing
I spent 26 years in law enforcement and the last ten as a police chief. I enjoyed my
career but felt like it was the long interruption — keeping me from becoming an artist and
writer.
What I didn’t realize is that police work was an investment in my future, creative self. As
Jeff espoused in The Art of Work, “Nothing is wasted. No job, no task, no obstacle is useless, if
we are willing to see how it can fit into our calling.” To that end, here are seven tips on better
writing, gleaned from years of police work.
1. You have the right to remain silent
If you want to be a good writer, you need to be a good listener. That means shutting up
and paying attention to everything that’s going on around you. What people are saying, how
they’re saying it, and the environment they’re in.
Look closely at most cops and you’ll spy a small notebook in their breast pocket. It’s
where we record everything.
Do yourself a favor and start carrying a small Moleskine notebook and pen. You’ll
discover they come in handy to record thoughts, quotes, wisdom from overheard conversations,
and more.
They also teach you to listen and write down details. And real life details are what make
your stories and articles more relatable and interesting. There’s a reason writers like Ernest
Hemingway, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson and Alexis de Tocqueville all carried pocket
notebooks. To remind them to listen, observe and record their ideas.
2. Summon your courage
It takes guts to put on a ballistic vest, uniform, badge and gun belt. Doing so
immediately marks you as a potential target. What’s worse, when the excrement hits the fan,
most people are running away. Except cops. We get to run towards the disaster. Doing so
requires courage and a willingness to confront your fears.
Maybe you’ve been hesitant to pitch that guest post idea or finally start your writing
blog. No one likes rejection and criticism, but they can help you grow as a writer. You can’t rely
on family and friends. They’ll just tell you you’re brilliant. Strangers, however, will give it to you
straight. So, summon your courage and put your work out there. It’s the only way to become a
better writer.
 3. Never a cop when you need one
Doesn’t it just burn you to go into a Starbucks and see three cops sitting around, sipping
their lattes on the public dime? Shouldn’t they be out protecting and serving? The reality is that
tons of police departments run 12-hour shifts. To stay fresh and alert, it’s important for cops to
take breaks.
Writers need to take breaks, too. Face it, writing is a sedentary and often solitary
pursuit. You need to step away, go for a walk and recharge your batteries. Exercise will
reinvigorate your mind, keep you healthy and more focused. You’ll return to the keyboard
refreshed and with new insights. And besides, nothing beats a pumpkin spice latte to ignite the
creative process.
4. Adopt the K.I.S.S. principle
People like to talk, and they often include endless details. As a cop, you learn to listen
intently and separate the wheat from the chaff. It takes experience and an intimate
understanding of the law to know what’s important for a police report, and which details are
superfluous.
Many experienced sergeants over the years taught me how to write better police
reports. What I learned was the proverbial K.I.S.S. (keep it simple, stupid) principle. Judges and
prosecutors want the facts, relevant details, and elements of the crime. Similarly, you need to
learn how to edit and get to the essence of your article or story. Editing and simplifying is a big
part of effective writing. So kiss those nonessential details goodbye.
5. Once upon a time
Since we know why cops hang out in coffee shops, let me tell you what they talk about.
Stories. Everyone enjoys a good story. We all want to know what happens in the end. A good
police report tells the story of what happened so that juries and judges can make informed
decisions.
As a writer, you need to tell a good story so your readers can envision exactly what you
want them to see. This means you need to read both deeply and broadly. Pick up Joseph
Campbell’s The Hero with a Thousand Faces to understand the craft of effective story arcs. Learn
how to hook readers with enticing lead-ins. Study a little copywriting. Tell a good story and
people will listen.
6. Continuing professional training
California police officers are required to have 24 hours of continuing professional
training (CPT) every two years. Beyond their department training, officers attend approved
courses, seminars, webinars and conventions. Why? The law is constantly evolving, best
practices change, and there’s always more to learn.
To be a great writer, you need to keep training, too. That means taking advantage of the
best classes, webinars, and on-line courses available. Tribe Writers is a good place to
start because it provides a comprehensive education for online writing.
 Continuing professional training is an investment in yourself that will improve the
quality of your work, your stories, and their impact on your readers. This, in turn, is what leads
to writing and publishing opportunities.
7. If you want a vacation, check the schedule
One of the downsides to a law enforcement career is shift work. Your whole life revolves
around your work schedule. As a sergeant growled to me once, “If you want a vacation, Weiss,
check the schedule!” Shiftwork taught me the importance of good time management. Beyond
family and close friends, I learned to say no to distractions and time wasters.
Our calendars tell the real story about our lives and priorities. How are you allocating
your writing time? Are you getting up early before work to write? Or, are you on the couch
watching NCIS reruns, checking Facebook, and playing video games? Remember, we are what
we do.
You say you want to be a successful writer? Take a good hard look at your calendar. It
never lies.
End of watch
Looks like my tour of duty is about done here. Let’s return to The Art of Work for one
last nugget of wisdom: “In the journey toward our callings, there will be roadblocks and
inconveniences, setbacks and slowdowns that we may mistake for distractions when in fact they
are as much a part of the calling as the job itself.”
I thought my law enforcement career was a long distraction from becoming a writer and
artist. Except it wasn’t. It was the in-between. It moved me forward.
Dad was right. A career in the arts can be hard. But no one wants to reach their end of
watch with regrets. May your own tour of duty bring you closer to the person you always
wanted to be.
time management isn’t the top skill Faisal Rashid lists on his resume, he might want to
consider adding it in big, bold letters.
The 28-year-old recently completed the Los Angeles Police Department’s rigorous
reserve officer program. That’s on top of working a full-time job in radiation oncology. Oh, and
he’s also studying for his master’s degree in neuroimaging and informatics at the Keck School of
Medicine of USC.
For 16 weeks straight, he rose at 6:30 in the morning for a punishing gauntlet of classes
on topics like brain anatomy and neurological diseases before squeezing in a workout and
heading to work. Then came four hours of police academy training and more work. He closed
out the day about midnight or 1 a.m. On weekends, he started even earlier.
Toward the end, his schedule was so hectic that he broke out into stress-induced hives.
But his determination paid off. Rashid received his LAPD uniform and badge at a swearing-in
ceremony in January. He also found out that he achieved another milestone, becoming the
department’s first sworn officer of Bangladeshi descent.
 Asked what inspired him to embrace such a punishing experience for an unpaid
volunteer role with the LAPD, he had a quick answer: “I love neuroscience, but to me, it just
wasn’t enough. I want to give back to the community.”
Family lessons, patriotic duty inspire aspiring USC neuroscientist and police officer
That dedication to service has been a core part of Rashid’s personality since his
childhood in North Hollywood and Glendale. His parents consistently emphasized helping
others. Rashid also traces his sense of duty to the shock and indignation he felt as a young boy
after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
I love neuroscience, but to me, it just wasn’t enough. I want to give back to the
community.
Faisal Rashid
“When it happened, I felt like, oh my gosh, people attacked my country, I need to fight
back,” he said. “And they were claiming to be Muslims, but I’m a Muslim, and that’s not what I
practice at all. So not only are they attacking my country, but they are using my religion to
spread hate and violence.”
He planned to join the military after college with the goal of becoming an officer and
aviator. But a high school psychology class led him down a different path: He became fascinated
by the human brain.
Rashid earned a bachelor’s in neuroscience at University of California, Riverside, then
worked in pediatric neuroimaging at Loma Linda University Medical Center. Around that time,
he read about well-known neuroscientist Paul Thompson bringing his team of brain imaging
specialists to USC, and recalls thinking, “I could never imagine working with superstars like
them.”
But a few years later, he landed a research position with Thompson’s center — the
Imaging Genetics Center at the USC Mary and Mark Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics
Institute. He spent his days analyzing data on teens with traumatic brain injuries.
“He wanted to be involved in everything going on,” said Neda Jahanshad, assistant
professor of neurology and biomedical engineering. “He wanted to know about all our projects
and would always offer great ideas and suggestions.”
A mind for details helps Trojan analyze brain data
Emily Dennis, a former postdoctoral scholar at the center, said Rashid seemed to have
an innate ability to streamline his data processing and analysis tasks.
“He was amazing at finding faster ways of doing the things I wanted to do, finding
shortcuts and making everything more efficient,” she said. “He was constantly trying to learn
new skills to help move the project along.”
When he started his master’s program, Rashid took a new job with the Keck School of
Medicine’s Department of Radiation Oncology, partly to avoid the long drive to Thompson’s
center in Marina del Rey. His responsibilities now include analyzing cancer treatment plans to
ensure the correct amount of radiation is being delivered to the right location, a great fit for his
meticulous, detail-oriented nature.

USC master’s student and radiation oncology project specialist Faisal Rashid, fourth
from left, recently completed LAPD reserve officer training. (Photo/Courtesy of Faisal Rashid)
The shorter commute also allowed him to return to his childhood goal of serving his
community — by becoming a reserve police officer.
An unusual pursuit for a Bangladeshi American: earning a police badge
Rashid’s desire to enter the reserve academy came as a surprise to his family. In
Bangladeshi culture, he said, becoming a doctor or lawyer makes you a success story, but few
people dream of working in law enforcement.
That might explain why the LAPD had no Bangladeshi officers before Rashid joined the
reserves, despite the city boasting a sizeable population and even a designated community,
Little Bangladesh.
“For almost six months before I started the academy, my uncle kept asking, ‘What are
you getting out of this?’” Rashid said. “I would say, ‘I just want to help.’”
It certainly helped when a USC doctor, trauma surgeon Kenji Inaba, got attention for
completing the reserve program despite his busy hospital schedule. Rashid’s family has warmed
to the idea. “I think they understand why I’m doing this now,” he said.
Aspiring USC neuroscientist and police officer: Analyzing crime data
Rashid was recently assigned to the LAPD’s Counter Terrorism and Special Operations
Bureau. He’s a Level III reserve, meaning he gets a uniform and badge, but only takes on
administrative tasks rather than going on patrol with a firearm.
He can’t talk about some of his work because of its sensitive nature, but he generally
expects to assist with data analytics. Once again, he’s putting his mind for organization to work.
Life is too short to just have a 9-to-5.
Faisal Rashid
“I value efficiency a lot,” he said, “so I am more than happy to help them any way I can.”
Rashid is also thinking about the next step after finishing his master’s program this year.
He wants to get a PhD in neuroscience and conduct research into traumatic brain injury and new
treatment approaches. A three-year doctoral program in Norway recently caught his eye, and he
can also imagine launching a tech startup focused on the brain-computer interface.
He envisions continuing the reserve academy after earning his doctorate, too. He wants
to reach Level I status, which would let him patrol the streets just like any other full-time officer.
With all those big dreams, one thing is guaranteed: He’ll stay busy.
“You should always have a hobby, play a sport — whatever it is, you should be involved
in your community,” he said. “Life is too short to just have a 9-to-5.”
 The mood was celebratory Wednesday morning, February 26, as the Falmouth Police
Department recognized officers and community members for their acts of heroism, including
rescuing two children from near drowning.
Friends, family and community leaders gathered at the Falmouth Police Station for the
department’s 2019 awards ceremony. Seasonal Officer Michael Renton was given a lifesaving
award for rescuing two boys caught in strong currents last August at a marsh opposite Old Silver
Beach. Josh Matta, 12, and Trey Cardoza, 11, of Falmouth were caught in a swift incoming tide
and were struggling to keep their heads above water. Officer Renton heard the cries and
immediately jumped into the water and pulled them out. The mother of one of the boys visited
the police station to express her gratitude and commended Officer Renton for handling the
incident in a calm and confident manner.
“His swift action to jump into the water and save the two boys is extremely heroic,”
Chief Dunne said.
 The Falmouth Police Department held its annual awards ceremony at the station
Wednesday. 2019 Officer of the Year Ryan Hergt stands with his wife Katie after receiving his
award.
GENE M. MARCHAND/ENTERPRISE
Three Falmouth High School students were recognized for their efforts to de-escalate a
fight on school grounds on March 28, 2019. Seniors Kyle Connolly and Marvel Nicholson and
Keith M. Ventura, a 2019 graduate, were commended for breaking up a fight that the chief said
would have resulted in serious injuries. Chief Dunne described the scene as a two-on-one
assault that began over a derogatory Snapchat post. The majority of the students in the area
were watching with alarm or enjoyment, the chief said.
The three students are seen on camera taking hold of the fighting students and
separating them.
 The Falmouth Police Department held its annual awards ceremony at the station
Wednesday. Officer Stephen Senior and seasonal officer Jaylene Austin (not present) along with
nurse Jennifer Medwar were given a Life Saving award for pulling a driver from a burning
vehicle. Jennifer’s daughter Emery Perkins, at center, also helped out during the rescue.
GENE M. MARCHAND/ENTERPRISE
“In today’s society, people are quick to merely stand by and watch the violence, or
record on their phone to post on social media. These three broke the mold of the stereotypical
millennial and did something courageous. And if any one of you want to get into law
enforcement, we’d be happy to have you,” the chief said.
Chief Dunne surprised Police Officer Ryan W. Hergt, a 2005 Falmouth High School
graduate, with the Officer of the Year award.
“He is receiving this award for his ability to adapt to changes in juvenile law and in
society, while maintaining the schools as some of the safest around,” Chief Dunne said. “His
investigations are thorough, he works well with patrol and keeping them informed of issues
pertaining to youth, and he is trusted by both school employees and students.”
In addition, Officers Timothy Brandt and Elvira Ferrer each received a lifesaving award
for giving CPR and using a defibrillator on a driver who was unresponsive after an accident.
Officers Stephen Senior and Jaylene Austin, along with a nurse, Jennifer Medwar, were
recognized for pulling a man from a car that was engulfed in flames.