Hire a Vet

A recent issue of The Journal News in Westchester County, New York, (just north of New York City) carried an article concerning the number of police agencies hiring military veterans, and highlighting how well this is working out for both the agencies and the vets.

Writers Richard Liebson and Steve Lieberman quoted Yonkers Police Lt. Patrick McCormack as saying, "In many cases, they're exactly what we're looking for. The military background gives them a leg up on other candidates. They're used to the training and discipline, and they know enough to listen and learn while they get experience on this job.

Clarkstown Police Chief Michael Sullivan said prior military experience is "a positive, like speaking more than one language."  He added that veterans "have discipline and understand the chain of command."

Similarly, the story carried quotes from veterans now on the job, such as White Plains officer Collin Breen (pictured), interviewed on what was literally his first day on the street, where he was training under the watchful eye of an experienced patrol officer.

"So far, so good," Breen said. "They tell me it's kind of slow today. I'm looking forward to interacting with people, going out on calls on my own. Serving my community. That's a big part of it for me."

Prior to becoming a rookie cop with the White Plans Police Department, Breen was a Marine captain and helicopter pilot who flew 20 troop transport missions a month during deployments to Iraq in 2007 and 2009.  Of the police work environment, Breen said that "a lot of things are familiar — it's a toned-down version of what we're used to in the military.  But there are definitely differences. When I was at the academy, we got to go home every day at 1600 (4 pm for those lacking military experience).  In the military, they put you through hell all day and you don't always get to go home. That's one difference my wife really likes."

According to the article, eight of the 55 graduates of the Westchester Police Academy class this past December are military veterans.  All eight are now rookie police officers.

White Plains police commissioner David Chong said rookies with military experience have little trouble making the transition to life in law enforcement.  "The police department is a paramilitary organization, but the veterans come from a strict military organization," he said. "They're used to the formal command structure, the discipline and the training, and they've proven that they have what it takes to work well under pressure. It makes them very attractive candidates."