I think by now, you have come to realize that I try to make points via metaphor. Not everything need be police related. By this I mean, we, as law enforcement professionals, are also regular “Joes” and “Joannas.” We are the fiber of the community we protect and serve. Thus, I write a few things that should resonate as citizen. But being that we are cops, it should resonate even more. Why? Because of what’s it’s demanded of us.

Get out your violin, cello, or fiddle and let me begin. I was under the weather about ten days ago. While I was running a 102-degree temperature, I was also praying to the vomit gods not to let my puke. Unless it comes from seasickness, it messes me up no end. I hate it as much as I hate my Cardinals losing in extra—ahh, but I digress … Anyhow, all was well. It was a lousy virus that avoided the stomach like the Germans avoided the Maginot line.

Still, I slept hours on end. I turned the cell phone off. When I awoke I saw two missed calls. Thankfully, it was only two missed calls. I didn’t recognize the number. But more surprisingly, no voicemail was left. This is the gist of my article.

Where has the decorum gone in regards to phone calls?

Where Do We Go?

I am writing this to everyone. If you’re a cop, even more so reason to listen. First, leave a voicemail message. There is nothing that pisses me off more than to call someone only to hear “the subscriber has not set up his/her voicemail.” Set up your outgoing announcement professionally, requesting people not to hang up without leaving a voicemail.

When you call someone, ALWAYS leave a voicemail. How damn rude is it to automatically think that someone will see a missed call from you and thus call you back to see if you called him/her. Leave a voicemail and explain what it is exactly you need or want. The ball then shifts to that person’s court to call you back.

Check Your Excuses

I realize voicemail might have gone the way of the eight-track player. But perhaps it can come back like the LP! Messages are important. Missing messages can be problematic. You need to do all you can to ensure that you convey and receive all the messages that need to be given and received. Look, we are professionals, and people look to us to solve problems. Their issues are very important to them regardless what we may fell of them. But in all reality, we owe every citizen to hear them and help them if we can.

If we miss that message, we do no one any good.