They Let The Sergeant Direct Traffic
Last weekend, I went on a ride-along with my brother. He was promoted six months ago and this is the first time I’ve ever done a ride-along with a police sergeant. As a sergeant, he is essentially a first line manager, so the job duties are a bit different now. When I’ve ridden with him before, we spent the night looking for and actively engaging anyone breaking the law. This time we spent the night waiting to be asked for help. It was a perfect case study in servant leadership. It also provided a perfect metaphor.
During the nine or so hours I spent with him, we responded to a variety of calls, but one stood out. A 9-1-1 call came in about a single vehicle traffic collision at an intersection. The reporting party said the car had flipped over and the driver was trapped inside. We raced to the scene with lights and siren. Upon arriving, we observed a white sedan with its wheels in the air. My brother positioned his squad car to block the left turn lane to prevent traffic from interfering with the rescue that was now underway. As we walked across the intersection, it was clear that other officers had the scene under control. The driver was still in the car and stuck upside down by his seat belt. One officer was talking to him and keeping him calm as the wail of approaching fire engine sirens got louder. Other officers were keeping the onlookers on the sidewalk and beginning to interview witnesses.
Overturned Vehicle Accident
The vehicle was partially in the intersection but completely blocking both eastbound lanes of Lincoln Avenue. Cars were now lined up with no way out. My brother took out his flashlight and walked towards the traffic jam, instructing the cars to turn around, re-routing them down a side street. He then stood there, flashlight in hand, directing traffic. I walked over and snapped a picture. This was a photo op if ever there was one. My brother looked behind him towards the accident, smiled, and said “yes, they are going to let the sergeant direct traffic.” He wasn’t upset about it, but we both enjoyed the irony of the highest ranking person on the scene performing what was arguably the least skilled task.
This is pretty much how the night went. Like me, my brother has had quite a few managers during his career, and he’s developed a keen understanding of what makes for a good one versus a bad one. Micromanagement is not on the good list. At another incident that night, we arrived as a couple of people were being handcuffed and placed in a police car for a free ride to the city jail. I asked my brother, “what did they go for?” “Not sure,” he responded. “I assume my guys had a good reason for arresting them and I’ll read about it later in their report. I just wait for them to tell me what to do.”
Sergeant Genovese Directing Traffic At The Scene Of An Accident
Imagine for a moment your boss sitting down next to your desk for the purpose of waiting for you to ask for help. Or better yet, waiting for you to tell him what to do. That is servant leadership. Hire great people. Train them well. Trust they will do the best job possible. Be there to coach and remove obstacles as required. Or better yet, direct traffic away from the scene before it becomes an obstacle. So yes, they let the sergeant direct traffic, because at the most basic level, that’s literally his job. And this sergeant loves it.
