• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Sandhenge Publications

Jim Potter, Author

  • About the Author
  • Author Blog
    • Sign Up for Jim’s Posts
  • Podcast
  • Book Reviews
  • Contact the Author
  • Check Book Reviews
  • Sign Up to Receive Blog Posts
  • All Books
  • Listen to the Blog Podcast

Conclusions of a Cop

November 13, 2019 by Jim Potter 17 Comments

Share this blog post

Email
Share
Tweet

(To listen to the audio of this blog, use the purple play button.)
Photo by Greg Holmes. Published in the Hutchinson News, May 4, 1988.

Recently, I was visiting with a friend who is a retired cop. I’ll call him Tom Jennings. Even though he’s no longer physically involved in the business, intellectually he’s still working. He has ideas about how cops can and should make community connections in order to help solve problems, not just make arrests.

*

Addressing the serious issue of unarmed people (not only people of color) being killed by police officers, Jennings said the public needs to be taught two things: 1. If a police officer is pointing a gun at you, obey the orders. 2. If you think the police are wrong, complain later.

*

A short play about race and racism in high school (2003) by Jim Potter

Gun deaths in the United States are disproportionate to the rest of the industrialized world. Too many accidental deaths, suicides, and homicides. Too many massacres by active shooters. Too many officers being murdered. Too many police officers killing unarmed people. Even though most people of color are killed by police officers of color, the statistics continue to show white officers killing people of color at higher rates.

As a result of high profile deaths, the public has less trust in law enforcement officers today. Recruitment of officers is more difficult. Communities are less safe. These factors, in part, have led Jennings to ask the question, “What can the police do to reestablish trust with the community?”

Jennings talked about the importance of officers being able and willing to show compassion. And, of course, in order to show compassion you need to build relationships, which means…drum roll please…not just driving around in your patrol car. An officer needs to stop and talk to people, build relationships, and be willing to listen.

In recalling his days in law enforcement, Jennings made it clear that during his career he wanted to talk to everyone, including the “drug people.” He wanted to understand them. By seeking them out and listening, he was showing respect for them. Their voices mattered to him, but building these relationships didn’t mean he gave a green light to crime. “I made friends with them,” he said. “I’d listen to them. Some I arrested.”

His story reminded me of an interesting citizen I met who lived in poverty. I’ve referred to him before as Christopher McCraken. I got to know McCraken after interacting with him about his rough living conditions. On three occasions I assisted landlords who evicted him. He and I had a civil relationship that was built on familiarity, but never total trust. You could say we used one another.

Christopher used me to help protect him from landlords who were trying to intimidate him by using illegal tactics. I treated him respectfully. I felt compassion for him, and I wanted to help, and during the eviction process everyone was safer because of our communication.

However, I never helped him solve his bigger problem: living in poverty.

*

Besides the issue of officer safety, retired Officer Jennings told me how he had approached his calls for service with a bigger picture in mind than making arrests and writing reports. He asked himself, “What will it take to resolve this problem?”

Sometimes when people hear of officers who want to solve problems, they jump to the conclusion that the officer would rather be a social worker, hold hands around a campfire, and sing Kumbaya. Instead, usually, these officers have a desire to help people while avoiding repeated (dare I say, “nuisance”) calls for service.

Good officers understand that making an arrest isn’t always the best solution. It’s called using discretion.

Imagine the difference between the police continually responding to calls about a person loitering, looking suspicious, or “acting crazy,” versus helping a person find affordable housing or receiving support for a mental illness.

*

Jennings told me he was more productive after he allied with personnel from Community Corrections and Court Services. He gave me an example of how he learned to gain leverage on uncooperative drug addicts who refused to go to mental health counseling. Jennings worked with the County Attorney to file legitimate charges against people in order to pressure them to choose counseling over jail or prison.

*

Police memoir by Sgt. Jim Potter (2007)

Having been a School Resource Officer (SRO) for twenty-two years, I grinned when Jennings told me that today’s police officers need to visit schools and connect with kids. This was not breaking news. But, we agreed that many police administrators know but don’t take preventive action steps to help create healthier, safer communities because of other priorities.

Obviously, limited budgets and understaffed departments can make everything more complicated, especially when law enforcement’s mission continues to be about reacting to, not preventing crime.

I’m not saying that law enforcement officers should turn their guns in for electronic tablets. Obviously, the public needs protection from dangerous people. Jennings and I agree that when reoccurring problems are solved then police have more time to focus on more serious issues.

*

Jennings recalled a job interview he had where the city authorities explained that they had a huge community problem.

“What was the problem?” Jennings asked.

Their police department was “at war with the teens.”

“At war?” Jennings questioned.

“Yes, war,” they repeated.

Ultimately, Tom wasn’t hired for the job but he recalled thinking, that’s a war the police won’t win.

I recalled my own years of working with the schools in order to build positive relationships with the students, staff, teachers, and parents. Early on, a principal asked me to park my patrol car behind the school so that parents didn’t assume there was a criminal problem at her school. Later, after we had built trust with one another, she promoted our sixth grade Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) graduations using the school’s outdoor marquee.

*

The Kansas Law Enforcement Center (KLETC) has updated its training approach to being much more interactive. They’ve trained their instructors to be mentors and facilitators rather than lecturers showing PowerPoint slides.

Smaller class sizes allow for the instructors to give the newly hired officers opportunities to think critically while working through different scenarios. Ultimately, when officers improve their communication and teamwork skills, it should have a profound effect on their community.

Contemporary novel by Jim Potter (2017)

Jennings and I hope that KLETC is promoting the creation of a police culture where well-trained officers and the public build positive relationships. Taking the time to talk and listen to people is an important step because it shows an openness to understanding different points of view.

However, Jennings and I both agree, the law enforcement community has a long way to go. One big challenge hasn’t changed. Hire excellent people, from the chief or sheriff down to the line officers. We know how one rotten apple can spoil the whole barrel. One bad cop, one high-profile poor decision, one inaccurate post from the media, can help ruin the reputation of and trust in an agency.

Delayed trust means delayed progress.

Until next time, happy writing and reading!

The Kansas Authors Club www.kansasauthors.org is a statewide organization that encourages and supports great writing. It’s divided into seven districts. In Hutchinson, Reno County (part of District 6), we have monthly meetings at Hutchinson Community College. http://www.hutchcc.edu You’re invited. Questions? Contact Jim Potter, jim@copintheclassroom.com

Share this blog post

Email
Share
Tweet

Related

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alex says

    Thought-provoking piece. It’s complicated.

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      Yes, complicated. Wanted: DNA from Rambo and Mr. Rogers.

      Reply
      • Kenneth B Moore says

        Right on target, Jim, with the DNA comment. Thanks for what you have done and do now to màke a difference.

        Reply
        • Jim Potter says

          Ken, thanks. I know your experiences and deep-thinking have helped Kansas communities, especially the youth. Jim

          Reply
  2. Heather says

    Humility. Leadership comes with humility, not a sense of self-importance.

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      Agreed. When a person comes from a point-of-view of self-importance, that s/he is better than the other person, open communication will never happen. Dead in the water.

      Reply
  3. Rebecca says

    The ability to make changes in a culture. Compassion, humility, and a high moral standard.

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      Agreed. Those traits are huge. We’ve all heard how change is difficult. So true. I guess it’s human nature to hold to what we know vs. the unknown so I’ll add courage to the list which is similar to your high moral standard trait.

      Reply
  4. Darin says

    I completely agree that good policing begins with good communication, respect and compassion.

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      Perfectly put. Concise.

      Reply
  5. Nancy Julien Kopp says

    Some very good points made and an interesting discussion.

    Reply
  6. Jim Potter says

    Yes, thanks, Nancy.

    Reply
  7. Sandy says

    Education and communication is important in solving so many of our problems today. Hopefully the new training will help with community policing. Thanks, Jim, for all you did during your career with students and families.

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      Yes, thanks, Sandy. Education and communication are huge.

      Reply
  8. Jim Potter says

    Shout out to master photographer Greg Holmes. He captured the trust of children in his 1988 photo of me in the classroom. And today, he still has the artistic eye. I recall just last year at an event at The Metro. People were inside taking photos when I saw him outside with his camera looking in through the big window. The downpour soaked Greg but he got the shot he wanted. Still masterful. He has the eye.

    Reply
  9. Natalee says

    Agreed , thanks, the cops need to make personal contact stop and talk with folks be friendly etc very good points of course. Good comments ,here as well Thanks Jim (and BTW my Jim here is going to Mennonite press today for his book! Finally! Woohoo)

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      Yes, personal contact, stop and talk, not stop and frisk! So happy for Jim. A published author! Wow!

      Reply

Comment Form: Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Jim Potter, Author

author

Recent Posts

  • Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Sequel
  • Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Promotion
  • Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Collaboration
  • Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Creative and Colorful Illustrations
  • Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Write While You Wait

Post Archives

Testimonials

Karleen Wilson-Moon

Terrific story relevant to today’s social issues . . . well written . . . likable characters . . . insightful perspective from an insider in law enforcement.

Larry Kruckman, anthropologist

Jim Potter displays ethnographic skills in Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, creating vivid scenes and fascinating characters. The Greeks had a word for subcultures and people’s behavior: ‘ethos,’ or ‘ways of being.’ In colorful, sometimes marvelous detail, this novel captures various people and settings . . . the ethos of rural Kansas: a… Read more “Larry Kruckman, anthropologist”

Steve Becker

I’m impressed. It was an excellent read. . . . I hope you continue with more projects in the future.

Morgan Penner

Taking Back the Bullet is a novel that provides the reader with a window into the world of law enforcement. As the novel unfolds, the reader is able to see how split-second decisions alter the lives of the main characters in the story. Taking Back the Bullet also explores how humanity is impacted by mental… Read more “Morgan Penner”

Sean McArdle, Winchester, England

Retired police officer Potter’s novel centers on very disparate characters and through the tried and tested means of gradually introducing each one, builds a sense of anticipation about what is going to happen to them. This often used methodology is not easy to do well but is superbly handled by Potter who knows how to… Read more “Sean McArdle, Winchester, England”

Jane Holzrichter

I finished it last night around midnight. What a great piece of work. It kept me intrigued all the way to the end.

Deb Theis, LSCSW, clinical therapist/hypnotherapist

Jim Potter has done it again! After his book, Cop in the Classroom: Lessons I’ve Learned, Tales I’ve Told, Jim has written another great work. In Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, Jim Potter takes us on an insightful journey into the lives and relationships of numerous characters. Jim is such a talented storyteller… Read more “Deb Theis, LSCSW, clinical therapist/hypnotherapist”

Diana Dester

Good story line, building the characters along the way. Great job!

Wynona Winn, PhD, retired school superintendent

Three main characters walk different paths but with the same destination – each coping with his or her self-discovery, self-identity, and self-realization. Much like their earlier counterparts – Huck Finn and Holden Caulfield – their journeys are often joyous, often tedious and often tragic.

Judy Hawk

. . . I was impressed with the Native American information as well as the depth of character development . . . .

John & Cindy Morrill, 20 years Air Force retired, 17 years law enforcement

I enjoyed your book. When I am looking for a new read, I always read the first page, last page and choose a random page somewhere in the middle before I decide to buy it. You had me on all three pages. I also like reading a book where you can relate to the characters… Read more “John & Cindy Morrill, 20 years Air Force retired, 17 years law enforcement”

Sheryl Remar

I enjoyed the different stories of this book because Tom, James, and Suanna, the three main characters, represent in their own way the different struggles with themselves and society’s idea of what is normal.

Rebecca Schillaci

As a former law enforcement officer, I found the story very relatable as it details the life of a law enforcement officer and the struggles some face throughout their careers. . . Taking Back the Bullet is a journey of understanding, respect, and forgiveness . . .

Dennis Perrin, educator

Masterful storytelling, exquisite character development, so real as to HURT and HOPE, a real page turner. Begs for stage, screenwriters, and visual episodic development a.k.a. TV series . . . Thanks Jim Potter for telling it like it is AND providing us visions of how it could be. Well done!

Rebecca from Proud Police Wife

Taking Back the Bullet is an emotional, yet captivating novel. Jim Potter does a superb job of intertwining each character and putting their individual identities on display. All law enforcement storylines are a true reflection of Potter’s years as a police officer because they are realistic and relatable. This is a book I highly recommend.

Denise Low, author of Jackalope (Red Mountain Press)

Jim Potter is a cop, retired, but he brings deep understanding of this job to his novel Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery. This layered novel has literary dimensions as characters explore crisis situations. Congratulations to this fine writer for his debut novel.

Podcast Listening Options

Footer

Follow Jim on Facebook

Follow Jim on Facebook

Interviews with Jim Potter

Video interview with James Lowe outside Bookends Bookstore July 21, 2022

Print interview with author Bill Bush September 1, 2022

Print interview with author Cheryl Unruh February 28, 2019

Hutchinson Magazine Article

Copyright © 2023 Sandhenge Publications · Website by Rosemary Miller