Working Together Works
By Detective Shannon Garner
Recently, I was reminded of the importance of working relationships between crime-fighters. It is easy to forget how important it is to encourage and rely on one another as we go about our stressful jobs.
Police, prosecutors, probation and parole officers, sheriffs, detention officers and many others who work in the criminal justice system to keep our community safe, are sometimes overwhelmed just trying to keep up with day-to-day tasks.
When we have to interact quickly together, we remember how important we are to each other. Rarely do we have the luxury of really getting to know one another as people, and learn the expertise each brings to the table.
Two years ago I was fortunate enough to attend a gang training course with members of different law enforcement agencies from throughout Central Kentucky. That week-long experience has faded in my memory, but a recent visit with an officer from Probation and Parole reminded me that those of us who met during that training will forever be allies.
Because we got to know each other well, we are likely to call on one another for the contribution that each can make toward our common goal – the safety and security of our community.
I encourage all of us, when we get the opportunity to work with one another, to take advantage of that opportunity, and develop allies both within and between agencies. Take a minute to get to know other criminal justice professionals and then continue to communicate with them as much as possible. We all are on the same team.