Take the pledge to spend as much time with your family, never forgetting that without them this job would be almost impossible.
The New Year’s tradition is upon us as we reflect on the past year and look forward to the next.
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This year has been a rollercoaster ride politically and economically, which has had (and will continue to have) tremendous impact on correctional officers in most states. What lies in the future no one knows, but I am sure it will be full of surprises. As our nation moves further into economic downturn, we are all sure to be affected — not only at home, but also at work. Almost every state, city and municipality id facing budget shortages. Unfortunately, we are often the first to suffer severe budget cuts.
As we are expected to do more with less, it is important to remember the basics. We are correctional officers first. We have a duty to protect and defend the innocent, and keep the guilty away from society. Many of my articles in the last year have concentrated on the “basics.” I am a true believer that this is the time to go back to the basics, and concentrate our efforts on being professional, dedicated officers, no matter what the politicians say or do.
In this new year, make a pledge to yourself to ignore the negative, of which, if history holds true, there will be plenty. Take a pledge to help a new officer stick to the basics, and help them through the first formative years of being an officer. Most importantly, take the pledge to spend as much time with your family, never forgetting that without them this job would be almost impossible. Take pride in the fact that most people will go about their daily business, never worrying that an escaped convict will harm them. This is why we do the job we do. While we work silently in the shadows of our nations prisons, Americans all over can sleep safely tonight, never knowing we are there.
God Bless all of you, and may 2009 be the best ever.