Issue link: https://let.epubxp.com/i/423221
LEADERSHIP 10 Law Enforcement Technology December 2014 about as that young upstart bunch that was going to try to show them (old guys) how to do police work. Somehow, we all made it and got the job done, amaz- ingly enough. Newer training concepts dealing with this very topic have their worth. In reality they were eye opening to me on how best to train, relate and communicate with the younger set. It is a pity that there was not train- ing like this when I came along, or presented when I became an instructor. You know that older bunch would have understood my generation better back in the day if they had something like this in their reper- toire. To repeat myself, I whole heartily recommend to any trainer, chief and field training officer to attend with an open mind a presentation on generational dif- ferences. I do not want to hear about generation gaps… we know they exist. There is no need to debate this, so let's bridge the gaps towards success. Knowing how to relate, best instruct and maximize the current learning styles will aid your departmental training programs. Police work thrives on its traditions but also can bog down with old school thinking. Some traditions could be viewed as hazing; I hope none have lowered their standards to workplace bullying. However, often the virtue of seniority creates some models of this behavior. I, as the resident old guy in the conversation, respect the old ways but have always believed that there could be a better way, if not an easier way to get the task accomplished. The more we reject technology the further behind we become. This incoming genera- tion has grown up in the computer age or the era of instant information. They are just that much more adept in technology, for it has been a part of their life. When I came on the job, my police cruiser had one switch for the lights, one box for the siren and the radio had off/on/volume and channel switch. Now we have car cameras, the discussion for body cameras and the cockpit of the patrol car looks like something out of science fiction. 908.852.3700 www.imt-government.com ■ Airborne Downlinks Airborne Repeaters Central Command Posts Mobile Command Vehicles Squad Cars Handheld Receivers ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Circle 5 on Reader Service Card The more we reject technology the further behind we become. This incoming generation has grown up in the computer age or the era of instant information. They are just that much more adept in technology, for it has been a part of their life.