Attaboy

Attaboy
By: Deon Joseph

The older I get, the more I value the memories of my job as it gets closer to the end.  I had a lot of challenge coins given to me over the years. The ones in the front row each have a cool story behind them.

One in particular is my favorite.  It was given to me by Chief William Bratton around 2005 or ‘06. I remember back then I was really grinding to make Skid Row safe along with many great officers. I was primarily driven by the tragedy and lack of justice for the people there. I wanted to change it.

One day I was at the old Police Administration Building on the first floor en route to conducting an investigative follow-up at Robbery Homicide Division.

I was at the lobby desk talking crap with one if my old partners, when a tall detective with a white shirt and red tie approached me and said “The Chief wants to see you.”  It was out of the blue. First I thought, “How did he even know I was here.”  The second thought was “What the heck did I do?”

I was just a new Senior Lead. I never got into trouble, I stayed quiet and humble.  Never bragged about my work.  Someone must have lied on me or something.

It was a weird way to think, but after what we experienced with the previous chief, I was a little nervous.

So I took the elevator to the Chief’s floor. I said a prayer, sighed got myself prepared for whatever was coming beyond that door. I knocked and heard a calm voice with a super heavy Boston accent say, “Come on in Officer Joseph.”

I entered and saw the Chief in his class A uniform standing and staring out of the window at the gray sky. His hands were clasped behind his back.  I thought to myself “Oh oh!” I approached and said, “Sir, You wanted to see me.”  He turned to me with his hands behind his back and said, “I’ve been hearing about your work. Keep it up. This is for you.”

I stuck out my hand had he placed this coin in it. He then said, “That is all. Be safe out there.” I thanked him for the coin and I left feeling relieved.

But also euphoric knowing that though I never touted my work, the highest-ranking member of my department noticed.  It was a good feeling.

With every story I tell there is a lesson. This is for leaders of 1st responders The people who work under you don’t look for credit. They don’t look for pats on the back or thank yous. They don’t need to be paraded around in a grand fashion.

But a simple and quiet, “Attaboy” in private, can really mean a lot.  It really did mean a lot.

Deon Joseph is a 28 year veteran of law enforcement in Southern California - 24 of those years working in the homeless community to create an environment conducive to change for those in recovery, as a Lead Officer. He’s been recognized for his work locally and nationally, and news stories and documentaries surrounding his work in crime fighting and community relations, featured him. www.deonjoseph.org