I recently received an e-mail from a reader. In a nutshell, he is the new guy on his department, has been there less than two years, and is still called a rookie. He doesn't like it and wants to know if there's a different title people should use to refer to him.
OK, let's discuss this age-old dilemma.
Tradition
Traditions run deep in law enforcement. We are neither the most subtle nor the most politically correct for that matter of all the professions. Rookie is an accepted title (like it or not) and it's police tradition. Most believe that it is a derivation from the word recruit. There are several ideas about its origins, but any way you cut it, it means that you are the apprentice. Neither the journeyman nor the veteran, rookie is your title.
When I came along, anyone was a rookie as long as he was a patrol officer. Then when he was promoted to advanced police officer (one stripe!) he lost that moniker. Speaking to other colleagues of mine, some departments left you with the title until another officer was hired to your junior. In some departments, this could be a long time.
I have heard alternative terms such as probationary officer, conditionally appointed trooper (CAT), recruit, kid, and cadet, and there must be another few more out there. And I cannot forget the ever popular FNG (Frickin' New Guy). "Young Pups" is used in some areas, which means rookies are like young puppies. They yip and yap and chase cars. Hey, I don't make this up; I just report what I hear.
Conduct
It matters not what the title may be; your actions may cause colleagues to call you a rookie. If you mature and conduct yourself as a seasoned officer, this title will eventually disappear from around you.
I have seen some officers with several years under their belt make a boneheaded mistake. The seasoned officers will mumble "rookie" behind their back. In that same department an officer who is junior will handle business and never be called any name. It is all in how you conduct yourself.
Just a Name
Names do not make you a cop. Besides, once you become a seasoned officer, your career will change directions. Then you will become the rookie detective or rookie sergeant. It is a cycle of life and traditional part of our vernacular. The irony of all of this is one day in the future, the officer who hated the title the most will be very fluent in its usage after becoming a Field Training Officer.
It is a life cycle; get used to it. Additionally, if you are the FNG, you best have thick skin. I don't know what it was like in your charmed little world, but stop and think. When you played sports and you were the youngest, what were you called? Seniority is based in life, even in your own family. I can recall having to sit with the other kids in the kitchen or side room at family gatherings.
I still hold deep in my memory the day I got to dine at the big table with my father and uncles. That day I was not the kid or the family's rookie anymore. You will appreciate your transition from rookie to officer or whatever…it is a great feeling. Hang in there.
Keep your cool and train hard, for your actions under pressure make you what you are.