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Jason Mosher

Sheriff's Journal

Vernon County Sheriff.

Opinion

Tested by fire; how will you perform when it's the real deal

Saturday, September 12, 2015

I have talked before about the testing and interviewing process we use for new applicants, as well as the regular evaluation of those processes, so we can continually update and add to them. Our hope with this process is to find the most qualified applicants and help match the right person with the right job.

Identifying personalities is one area that is becoming more and more common in the work place environment, but there is no guarantee on what kind of employee someone may be. When it really comes down to it, there will always be that "wait and see" factor. This is the Show Me State, and the only way you will ever know for sure what kind of employee someone may turn out to be is to see them do the job.

It can be difficult to find the right temperament and personality needed in the law enforcement field. You must be able to escalate when the situation dictates and de-escalate when that time comes.

Several months back, we added body cameras for the patrol deputies to help ensure professionalism among our deputies and to help better protect the deputies and public. We regularly review calls by the deputies for training and evidence, and policy compliance purposes.

I recently watched a video where two deputies and a police officer were attempting to place a wanted subject they had just found hiding in a closet with a gun under arrest, when he started fighting. There is no better way to be tested than the real thing. I would call it tested by fire!

Having videos of these types of situations gives us the ability to see firsthand how the deputy will perform when violence must be used to fight violence, but kindness must return immediately when the threat is gone. In this video the suspect tried to run away while being handcuffed. Once an officer grabbed him while attempting to get through the front door, the suspect was continuously given orders from multiple people to stop fighting and lay on the ground.

It was very easy to see the response from the deputies in the video change from giving verbal commands to attempting to restrain, and when the suspect began screaming and the scene turned into a full-on fight, the deputies responded with the same amount of force they were receiving. You could hear the sound of breaking glass, furniture being knocked over and items falling off the walls as the struggle sent them crashing into the walls. The suspect got up after being knocked down and charged a deputy pushing them both through the front door where the deputies and police were able to bring him to the ground and place him in handcuffs.

It is at this point in an incident that we see how the deputy will be able to control himself. After a struggle like this, it is easy for tempers to flare, and adrenaline to be racing. This can make it hard for the deputy to go back to "calm" mode."

What I saw, however, was a complete switch in the deputy's attitudes as soon as the suspect was in custody. You can clearly hear the deputies ask the suspect if he is all right; they were very calm and polite to him, even calling him "sir." An ambulance was called out as a safety precaution to make sure no one was hurt and the suspect was taken to jail without any significant injuries.

I was happy to see there was no sign of anger or hatred in the deputies and their attitude was that they were just doing their job. When someone is put to the test and they show they can do the job that is required and do it right, they should be proud. They have been tested by fire and they were victorious.