My decision to become a police officer came after two male friends encouraged me to look into the profession upon my graduation from college. I had been involved in community service during college, so a public service career felt like a natural fit. I saw that policing would allow me to continue serving the community and add protecting its people to my duties. Hearing someone else say they believed I, as a woman, could do the job gave me the confidence and courage to move forward. I did not know any women in policing who could share their experience as a female officer or provide mentoring. I had seen and heard of negative encounters with the police when I was growing up, and I believed that I could make a difference.

During the academy, I realized that serving was not about me but others, whether they were community members or coworkers. In that moment, I understood that my why was tied to my purpose. When I raised my right hand to take the oath of office, it was a proud personal moment, and the clock started on my career legacy.

My why has led me to evolve and to not be defined by a title, résumé, or uninformed opinions. I constantly worked to be a committed public servant. Lack of self-knowledge will cause a person to take paths that are not fulfilling. Conversely, prioritizing personal growth and being open to constructive guidance helps one decide on the next level on their professional journey Nobody can determine another person’s career trajectory, but others can share what they see in you that many times you don’t see in yourself.

I had obstacles; some were a surprise—and some were not. The obstacles could not always be blamed on coworkers or supervisors, sometimes I got in my own way. Many times, I allowed my expectations to focus on the obstacles. I had to learn the importance of turning the obstacles into opportunities for me or someone else. I had to learn to view “haters” as motivators and to not be hard on myself. Obstacles build leadership muscles and a faith foundation that will be necessary on the career journey.

During my career, my focus has remained on WHEN, WHAT, and WHY

WHEN you know who you are, it is not hard to be receptive to compliments and constructive guidance. It is important to be confident in your abilities and what you bring to the agency. There is no reason to make excuses for delays in reaching goals. Understand that delays are not denials. Be an example of never giving up to someone who is watching you—model success for them. When you know who you are, “winning” should be your only option.

WHAT are you doing? What are you doing to invest in yourself personally and professionally?

What are you doing to prepare for promotion personally and professionally? You should be working daily to become a better version of who you were the day before. There should be some hurdles that you can reflect on and be proud that you conquered.

If you aspire to be promoted, what are you doing besides talking about it? Are you planning for growth? Planning involves researching, training, having a mentor, and writing the vision.  To avoid your being consumed by the job, the vision has to incorporate your personal life.

What are you doing to make sure that when your name is called you are ready? When the call comes, you don’t have time to get ready— you need to be ready. I always invested in myself and followed good examples set by men and women who operated with integrity.

What are you doing when sitting and thinking?  Many people’s biggest battles are in their thoughts.  We can speak and look confident, but our thoughts will take us on a roller coaster.  You will start thinking, I can never do that, my children are too young, my husband works nights, I don’t have support, nobody really likes me, people will remember when I made that mistake, and many more excuses.  Life happens, and it does not come with an eraser. You cannot change the past, but you can focus on a better future. What people think about you is not your business, what you think about yourself is what matters.

What are you doing to invest in you, so you are not derailed when faced with negative people or encounters? Mentors or accountability partners can keep you from being discouraged and cynical about the profession. Investing and pouring into others is just as powerful as someone pouring into you. I know you have heard you reap what you sow.  When you sow your time, talent, and sometimes treasure into someone else, then you will see the same happen in your life. What are you doing to promote professionalism, integrity, and ethics in your agency? What are you doing to support other women and promote your agency? Rank does not dictate your what. The what involves going through preparation and process to get to promotion. What are you doing to build a legacy of no regrets?  Build your what on a strong foundation.

Each person’s WHY they started their policing journey is different.  The original why could be needing money, needing a job, having a desire to help others and your community, aspiring to be a leader, or just wanting to prove something.  That is your personal why. My why changed with every new assignment and promotion. As you remain in the profession, why starts to change into “why do I stay?”

When you hear people complaining, being negative, and sharing from the “if” pulpit (e.g., “If I were in charge…”). When people who are negative about their agency are asked why they stay, there is usually no response.  Their goal is to recruit members to the “if” congregation.

• • Don’t allow your why to be disrupted or derailed.
  • Find time to rejuvenate and self-reflect.
  • Someone is watching, and the profession needs you to inspire and mentor them.

The story of Harriett Tubman is very inspiring.  She understood her why.  After escaping from slavery, she went back approximately 13 times in a 10-year period and rescued 70 friends and family.¹  As they were on the escape route, some would allow fear and doubt to overtake their thoughts and want to return to slavery. Harriett Tubman would use any means necessary to remind them of their why.

I don’t count my milestones, because my goal every day is to make a positive impact, whether that impact is on an individual, a group, or the profession. It is rewarding to me that now I am in position to share insight about this noble profession with women and men. I can honestly share what it means to be a public servant and the weight of the badge.

To be successful you must understand why you stay in the profession or why you want to be a leader in the profession. It is not about the money or the personal praise, because the higher you go, the more you will give out praise than receive it. This profession is never about you but service to others. d

Note:

¹National Park Service, “Harriet Tubman,” updated October 12, 2022.

Please cite as

Vera Bumpers, “When, What, and Why: A Women Leader’s Perspective on Purpose and Success,” Police Chief Online, February 28, 2024.