Feb 2024. Blues Vol 40 No. 2

not know I was a rogue. This
may also be the case for many
of you reading this. When we
are amped up and pressing to
arrive at a call for assistance,
we may take chances. Not slowing
at a red light or stop sign or
operating at dangerous speeds.
I am not sure when I began to
understand I was not as good as
I believed, but it happened, and
I want others to see that rogue
behavior exists in the law enforcement
profession and it can
be overcome. Rogue behavior,
if continued, will ultimately end
up in one of three places. You
may find yourself on the unemployment
line, in the defendant’s
chair trying to defend your actions,
or in a casket leaving those
who love you to survive on their
own.
Below 100 has been around
for many years now and we are
no closer to achieving that goal
than we were when the seminar
began years ago. We can not do
anything to prevent assailants
from shooting us other than
wearing protective equipment.
There is only so much we can do
to prevent impaired drivers from
crashing into our patrol units
while on the side of the road
except keeping your head on a
swivel, using the patrol car for
what protection it can offer. Discussing
Spike deployment regularly,
discussing the difference
between cover and concealment
while deploying spikes to end a
pursuit. Lastly, we should consistently
train to focus on the task
at hand, the safe operation of the
patrol unit. These things should
be discussed early and often
with your patrol staff.
I read a story about a police
officer while responding to a
call, blew a red light, no audible
signal, and no emergency lighting,
without slowing for safety.
The police officer killed two
teenaged girls who were not
involved in the event. The police
officer was fired, indicted, and
sentenced to 10 years in prison
on 2 counts of involuntary manslaughter.
During discovery, the
defense found where this police
officer was reprimanded twice
and had a history of aggressive
driving. (So why were they
allowed to continue to drive)?
The family of the two girls sued
the department and the officer’s
supervisors for vicarious liability.
To say none of these events
should have occurred would be
an understatement. Supervisors
while reviewing dash-cam video
should have honest conversations
with officers who operate
on the edge of danger, even
when there are no negative consequences.
There are those who
do the right thing, at the right
time, for the right reason, and
there are others who do what
they want, when they want, and
give very little thought to the
consequences. There are many
law enforcement officers who
understand and respect the dangers
associated with emergency
operations. Then there are those
who possess an air of superiority.
Every leader of your agency
should lead by example, drive
to their skill level, and educate
those who continue to push the
envelope. If you care for the welfare
of your staff, team, friends,
and family let’s make 2024 the
year we eliminate senseless car
crashes in law enforcement.
I challenge everyone who
reads this article to host our
8-hour mental aspects of emergency
vehicle operation seminar
“The Law Enforcement Driving
Concern”. This training can and
has changed the attitudes of the
rogues, the officers who are on
the edge, and provide inspiration
to all in attendance to understand
driving an emergency vehicle
is not just driving. It can be
as deadly as an encounter with
an armed suspect. The difference,
an out-of-control patrol
unit with a rogue driver rarely
lives to talk about it.
Until next time, please be safe,
drive to your skill level and keep
the dirty side down.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Garry Parker has served the
citizens of Texas more than four
decades in law enforcement and
retired from the Texas Department
of Public Safety in 2009. He holds a
commission from the Texas Department
of Public Safety as a Special
Ranger. Garry served as a Law
Enforcement Liaison and Instructor
with the Texas Municipal Police Association
and retired in 2020. Garry
is certified as speaker, trainer and
coach, through the Maxwell Leadership
Team, the International Speakers
Network, and the Texas Commission
on Law Enforcement. Garry is
a nationally recognized trainer and
consultant in traffic safety, crash
prevention, law enforcement tasks,
and emergency vehicle operation.
Garry is a motivational speaker,
trainer and coach on communication
and leadership. Garry has served as
keynote speaker for many conferences
around the country. He has
been recognized for excellence in
program development and presentation
by the Texas Commission on
Law Enforcement and nationally by
Uniform Safety Education Officers
inc. Gary can be reached at: www.
garryparkerandassociates.com
62 The Blues - February ‘24