Hazing and Rites of Passage

I just got off the telephone with a fellow trainer who was distraught. It seems that a young and tender academy recruit has said that the trainers teaching him defensive tactics are being far too rough, and he thinks it might be a form of hazing. He doesn't want to be touched by others and wishes to instead simulate defensive tactics. After a few minutes of calming down my old trainer colleague, I had to ponder this situation.

I am positive that each of you has belonged to a fraternity, club, sports team, or some other group with its own distinctive rites of passage. You have been warned in the academy that you will be tested (mentally and physically) and probably picked on (hazed) as a new member of law enforcement. So what is the problem here? There is a difference between feeling pushed to participate in college frat-type shenanigans and merely being pushed to do your best under trying circumstances. It's important to understand the distinction.

In this situation, it seems that someone does not want to enter "copland" traditionally but wants an easy ride. My recommendation to this young recruit is to drive on. Bad guys won't give you an easy time of it. If you train hard in the academy, you suffer less on the streets. Besides, if or when you go to a special assignment such as "detectiveland" it will start all over again. So just what is right and acceptable?

Old School
When I joined policing, I was the F'ing New Guy (FNG) on the watch. Back then the "Fabulous" New Guy caught every sorry assignment. It wasn't the softer, gentler culture it is now. Back then you were intimidated and you knew your place in the pecking order. If it was a crime scene that was reeking, you had to carry the crime scene access log so you could smell it. Pouring down rain at the traffic accident scene? You got the traffic detail. You were not allowed to use the elevator, but had to take the stairs; that one was from my old chief himself.

You had to pay your dues, prove your mettle, and learn the ropes. It was not all peaches and cream. Everyone had to suffer a few embarrassments. Get a serving of each from the reality buffet under your belt and before you knew it, you were accepted. Some say that you are not the "real police" until you've experienced your first big bar fight, pursuit (both foot and vehicle), or trip to the emergency room. It matters not; it is all about "firsts."

Times could be tough. However, I and thousands like me made it through the rookie gauntlet and lived to tell about it. Looking back, none of us would trade these events, and we even laugh about them. One old lieutenant (God rest him) used to call out for rookies at the top of his lungs to frighten and humiliate them. I can hear him now: "Harvey, you big dumb Irishman, get in here now!" I would love to hear his voice again, not only to remind me when I mess up but to frighten the rest of the department into better performance. But alas, we are a politically correct lot now and some of these old actions defy human resources guidelines. This was my tradition.