Words for Graduates

Matthew 5:13-16 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Last week, I had the privilege to offer the keynote address to Class 23 of the Adult Corrections Officer Core Course at the Santa Rosa Junior College Public Safety Training Center. Here are my comments:

“Pray for the best. Train for the worst.”(The Class Motto)

Congratulations to all of you for completing the program here at the Public Safety Training Center. This experience will serve as the foundation for your careers. It is now time to start applying your skills in the workplace and build the house that represents your professional journey.

I can tell you that after serving 24 years in law enforcement, it is important to keep a positive outlook on life, to maintain your sense of humor and always remember where you came from.

Put together, it means to stay humble and recognize that we are servants to everyone. So in the spirit of humility, I will tell you that the Assistant Police Chief of the Monterey Police Department got his start working at Disneyland. I was a ride operator on the Jungle Cruise, the largest collection of plastic plants and animals ever assembled in one place!

GK Chesterton said it like this: "Humility, the holding of ourselves lightly, prepares us for an infinity of unmerited triumphs.” Let yourselves be surprised at work and celebrate your success!

I would like to share three words with you that I hope will guide your professional path and give you something to hold on to when things are going well and when you face challenges in your service to your communities. 

The three words are Justice, Mercy and Grace.

Justice

As I prepared my comments for today, it occurred to me that your role as a corrections officer transcends all areas of the criminal justice system. From arrest and booking, to trial and conviction and serving a jail sentence; you have a significant role in the criminal justice process.

What this means it is that it is critical that you DO YOUR JOB. At the end of each day ask yourself these questions: First - Did I do my job? Second - Did I do my best to create and maintain a safe community?

Do Your Job means that you think two levels above your position. For people that serve in my department, I expect every corrections officer to think like a lieutenant. This perspective will motivate you to perform at a higher level of service. The expectation is that you give the highest level of customer service no matter if it is a law enforcement officer, a member of the community or a prisoner. Your performance is a reflection of your department and our profession.

Mercy

Mercy is about relationships. Things don’t get much worse than getting arrested. You offer the first act of mercy to prisoners because you are the one taking off the handcuffs.

Mercy means that you can only panic, when I tell you, “You can panic.” In your role, people look to you to set the tone. If you communicate a sense of peace when you book someone into jail, people will be less likely to get agitated. You are a leader and you set the tone.

Keep in mind that there is always more to the story. If you take some time to learn about the people you encounter during a single booking or if the prisoner visits your facility so often they get frequent flyer miles, you have the opportunity to offer a word of encouragement that can change a life forever.

Never underestimate the power of relationships. The great corrections professional is the one who can build a relationship during the 20 minute booking process. Find a way to get people to look past the badge.

Grace

Grace is for people you work with. It is a sure thing that you will get frustrated with your peers, your supervisors and your managers. The ability to forgive others and perform your job beyond their expectations demonstrates a willingness to let the past go and create a highly professional environment. There is always more to the story and people in your organization will look to you, “not to panic.”

Think of grace in the context of getting stopped for a traffic violation. If justice is getting a ticket and mercy is getting a break then grace is not getting a ticket AND the cop gives you a Code 3 escort to your destination AND buys you a doughnut on the way.

Do not hold grudges. Always be hopeful. Remember that you can only change where you are at.

Once again congratulations and hold on to Justice, Mercy and Grace.