Working with a Grumpy Older Officer

[@irakennington9563]

Hey! I resemble that remark! seriously though, I am one of the "Old men" at my agency. I'm also one of the strongest and fittest at my agency. I try to put on a positive face each day, and be a net force for good. I think that's what makes the difference, really. those that actually make an attempt rather than the ones who are Retired On Duty.

[@trueprisonstoriesbygaryyor3684]

Thank you for your service, and I appreciate you sharing this. Great attitude and advice. I retired at age 60 and could have kept going. I'm 65 now and could still go back and do my part.

[@wayneclingman689]

Great content thanks

[@trueprisonstoriesbygaryyor3684]

Thank you very much!

[@thomasnugent3836]

Gary, Very informative 👏

[@trueprisonstoriesbygaryyor3684]

Thank you very much!

[@duanecanady241]

Some Officer's get hardened after all those yrs. But will always be there.

[@trueprisonstoriesbygaryyor3684]

Amen to that! Always there!

[@thomasryan2679]

On the other hand, I've been called grumpy for not the social person I was years ago. I have little interest in trying to be liked. Many of us are burdened with administrative and time-consuming duties. While guys are talking about last-night's ballgame, I'm working on the budget, trying to get new floors, studying grants, overseeing training requirements, evaluations, dealing with staff shortages, unions, 2-officer suicides this year, deciding on promotions, personnel complaints, fleet maintenance, LOD injuries, malingerers, arranging landscaping services, justifying overtime, replacing aging equipment, dealing with the public, attending meetings that are painfully boring, and often missing lunch. I know about setting the example but would rather be left alone and am not looking for conversation. Despite my best efforts, I've been called grumpy by those with lots less to do.

[@thomasryan2679]

There's no excuse to be grumpy. Our job requires constant communication in the working environment. Inept supervisory practices, misunderstandings, management failures, overloading of channels, dissatisfaction, and grievances flourish by those unwilling or who can't be bothered to communicate. We can't let fellow staff of any rank operate in a vacuum. A recognized method of upward discipline is when officers don't tell supervisory staff of impending problems. "All is fine boss".

[@trueprisonstoriesbygaryyor3684]

Yes Grumpy officers are distracting to some officers and a great attitude is best. However there will always be grump grumps and we have to understand why they may not be smiling and happy all the time. This job effects everyone differently. Some it does not phase, some get very stressed out, some turn to alcohol or pills and others just get plain grumpy.

[@thomasryan2679]

Ex-President Bill Clinton was in town. He looks as old as Biden.

[@brucedillon9873]

The inmates aren't the major issue with that theory, it's the liberalism of society, the department, administrations and lack of real leadership, it has a ton of supervisors, but not many leaders. There is little to no respect by the department for seniority, experience etc;. The big question now is "DO (THEY) LIKE YOU, ARE YOU A YES MAN EVEN WHEN YOU KNOW IT'S WRONG, WHAT CAN YOU OFFER (THEM) AND I AIN'T TALKING ABOUT MATERAIL THINGS 🤫 YOU KNOW. At first you look over or past those things because it doesn't affect you personally, but after say 20 years you get tired of it, you're older, your smarter, you become more ethical and moral and less tolerant. Like Mr. York said if you're in a spot I'll be there for you, I won't judge you, but don't ask me to be someone I'm not or never was perhaps. I came into a career, but now due to the liberal mindset of society, and the prison system it's just a job, let me do my 8 in peace and hit the gate, I won't judge you and you don't know me. Don't kid yourself newbies in thinking that inmates are the only master manipulators, this statement refers to the (THEY and THEMS). When I was a supervisor over a decade ago and by choice no more, the best advice I got from a Colonel before I walked onto the compound for the first time in that role was " DO NOT EVER AND I MEAN EVER COMPROMISE YOUR INTEGRITY WITH STAFF OR INMATES" best advice ever. I have seen many administrations do the exact opposite and it brings me great sadness. So, with that being said I don't care if I do 25, 30, 35, 40 years, one thing I promised myself is I'll walk out that gate with my head held high and my integrity intact. If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, I'm going to tell you it's a duck, not something that's going to make you feel warm and fuzzy. Never mind appeasing the administrations, primary, Officer Safety Always. My opinion, my opinion only.

[@trueprisonstoriesbygaryyor3684]

Thank you for your service! You have made a very, very informative, and important statement here. I agree with you that between the inmates and a good old boy, what can you do for me system?, it is very hard on officers. I know I mentioned a couple of times that we have to find a way to have the young officers, the older officer's and middle management work together to protect each other by proper training, advisement and guidance. True leaders are hard to come by these days. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@thomasryan2679]

Bruce, these sound like the same comments I heard in the military. These concerns exist both in public and private agencies. If you don't mind me saying, the NYPD Commissioner told me, "You gotta dance with who you brung". Of thousands of officers in my agency, I'm number one in age and seniority. I stay because I'm still having fun while haven't lost my values. We don't live in a perfect world, if you have to leave...good luck. In the meantime, make it work for you.