Living Behind the Shield: A Modern Warrior's Path to Bravehood

By Brian Voncannon

This book offers the reader a glimpse into the very soul of a law enforcement officer. From the rigors of training to the effects that this career can have on the officer, this book will enlighten the reader whether involved in this field or not.
Many unknown burdens of wearing the badge are covered from the authors own experiences. Although shocking, the realities of law enforcement are revealed from the "drivers seat". The main thrust of this book is the challenge that officers face
each day; however, a message of hope encircles the final chapter. Individuals seeking a career in law enforcement will find the content educational, while veteran officers will see that they are not alone in their daily battles.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jul 28, 2000
• ISBN: 9781469737768

Brian Voncannon

The author has spent the last ten years of his life as a sworn law enforcement officer. During this time, he decided that both veteran and potential officers would benefit from a text that expressed a behind-the-scenes look into the world of law enforcement from a Christian’s view.

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All Rights Reserved © 2000 by Brian E. Voncannon

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the publisher.

Published by Writers Club Press

an imprint of iUniverse.com

For information address:

iUniverse.com

620 North 48th Street Suite 201

Lincoln, NE 68504-3467

www.iuniverse.com

Note to the reader: This book contains graphic stories from the author’s own experiences as an officer. This reading is not recommened for children. If you or someone you know is suffering from stress, then seek a qualified medical professional for help. No liability is assumed for any information contained herein.

ISBN: 978-1-469-73776-8 (ebook)

ISBN: 0-595-10048-1

Contents

EPIGRAPH

FOREWORD

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1

LIFE BEFORE LAW ENFORCEMENT

CHAPTER 2

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

CHAPTER 3

WELCOME TO A NEW WORLD

CHAPTER 4

THE WARRIOR’S MENTALITY

CHAPTER 5

THE BATTLEFIELD TAKES IT’S TOLL

CHAPTER 6

THE DEADLY SINS

CHAPTER 7

GOD’S MINISTERS

EPILOGUE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

GLOSSARY

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Dedicated to all law enforcement officers and the Lord Jesus Christ whom protects us all.

A special dedication goes to our fallen comrades…You are not forgotten.

Epigraph

For they are God’s ministers Romans 13: 6

Foreword

When I was asked by the author of this book to write the foreword to his book, I told him that I would be honored to do so. As a retired officer with over 20 years of hands on experience and growing up in South Florida a father who was in law enforcement for over 25 years, I have experienced many of the things written about in this book. I have experienced them either in the first person or through the war stories told to me by my father to by his life lived out before me.

For those reading this book that are considering a career in law enforcement, I tell you not make this decision hastily or take it lightly. During my 13 years with the Metro-Dade Police Department in Miami, Florida from 1974 to 1987, I spent two and half years in the Training Bureau and instructed firearms and officer survival to veteran in service personnel, rookies, as well as academy trainees. This career is a lifestyle much like becoming a nurse, physician, or attorney. You will primarily associate with other officers and those in other professions that can relate to your day in and out life.

I believe that you must be Called to do this job just as one who is called to be a Pastor. I have seen many who are just hirelings, and they are not effective as an officer and discredit the badge. In this job, you as an officer are expected to have the character of Joseph, the wisdom of Solomon, and the patience of Job. All of these men are of the Old Testament Scriptures. As the author of this book mentioned, the last chapter is about the spiritual side of being a officer and has referred to the New Testament Book of Romans.

I will tell you up front that your day in and day out life as a police officer involves dealing with those things you can see and do not see…But the greatest battles you will face will be spiritual, because you may be physically dealing with the flesh of man, but the greater battle is with fallen spirit of man that drives him. This is true of those who you have sworn to protect and serve as well as those in positions of authority over you. For we do not wrestle with flesh and blood but principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world Ephesians 6:12.

In retrospect, if someone had told me this as a rookie officer, my career would have been less stressful on and off the job. I tell you now that if I would have had been well established in the Living God through his Son Jesus Christ, my choices would have been far better. I am not saying I would not have had any trials or problems, but as an officer, you literally have a world of temptations and choices placed at your feet. The down fall of most officers comes from or by the choices they make concerning money, alcohol, sex, or power.

While assigned to the Police Services Division of the Metro Police Department, one night I stood atop a parking garage at Jackson Memorial Hospital with other officers and looked out over the city lights. I made a statement to the effect of the power that we had over those in the homes and businesses. You as an officer hold in your hands the power to take from someone their freedom and their life under the right circumstances. This power is not to be taken lightly or abused, as it is given to you through the human government set up by the True and Living God.

I did not come to have a personal relationship with the Living God through His Son Christ Jesus until the end of my active police career after serving six more years in a small town police department in the South. I was in my late thirties and had began my career at eighteen in Florida. I am now self-employed and living my life going into the sixth year a True Believer of Christ. I have dedicated my business to Christ and believe I have a mission to share my testimony with those in law enforcement and those considering a career in law enforcement. I believe God was chasing me for my 20 year career and he has brought to this point for this very purpose in this season of my life.

I hope this foreword has not discouraged those considering a career in law enforcement, as that was not my intent. My goal was to prepare you the best I know how for what lays ahead for you if you choose this path. For those who are active law officers, I hope my testimony will encourage you. And for both groups, to encourage you to seek Jesus Christ.

Fishing4HIM,

Bernie Loos

Honorably Retired Metro-Dade Police Department

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to my family and all of my fellow officers at the Cabarrus County Sheriff ’s Department.

Special recognition goes to Bernie Loos for not only writing the Foreword in this text, but for being a friend.

Finally, I would like to thank my pastor, Dr. Kinney Wallace of First Baptist Church in Locust, NC for sharing with me the message that inspired the final chapter of this book.

Introduction

I would first like to welcome you to my third book in print and to the world of law enforcement. Those of you who may know me, are already familiar with my newfound passion for writing. I always did well with English in school, but did not pay attention as I should have! Today, I have found out that I have an interest in writing and utilize this interest daily. Many readers who know me may be wondering how I came up with all of the ideas in this book. I will admit that I have been known as everything from a professional officer to the squad clown! My reaction is the fact that there is a time to play and a time to be serious. In this book, I will combine a little of both. Hopefully, you will not find this as just another boring, text-filled book without pictures. Instead, I want you to feel that this book reflects the essence of law enforcement from a true-to-life standpoint.

The book that you hold in your hands is the result of many years of my own experiences as an officer. Most of the ideas and thoughts which you will read herein are not standard blocks of instruction in police training facilities. As a matter of fact, the information could be considered quite opinionated. I wanted to create information related to the officer as a human being and not simply a robot undergoing formal programming. If that is how you perceive this book, then one of my goals have been met. There are plenty of fine instructors and books out there which aid one in becoming a good officer. My ultimate purpose is to attempt to put the realities of law enforcement in front of you. I must tell you that originally this book was written only for veteran law enforcement officers. After much thought, I changed the format to target the new officer primarily. However, many chapters could be considered to be particularly directed at veteran officers.

I must also stress that I am not a psychologist and that you should definitely not take any information within this book as advice on how to deal with stress or other factors associated with this type of career. If you or someone you know, is suffering from a stress related disorder, I recommend that professional help be obtained immediately!! Stress can be a dangerous element and must not be left untreated. Some stress is good for us, but when it affects our lives too much, it is time to seek some help. I mention this because the career that you are considering or are already in, is probably one of the most stressful jobs that you can acquire! Knowing how to deal with that stress can make life easier for you. You will find your own ways of dealing with it, but if you cannot, then follow my advice above! I am also obligated to tell you that you should not view any of my particular ways of dealing with the scenarios contained herein as the only way of handling them. You should refer back to your own training and policies that your department has set forth.

One other aspect that motivated me to write this book involved thinking about what is taught to officers in their basic training. We are given a great deal of formal training in a variety of subjects. While this is needed and important, there are still subjects that needed to be covered. I did not realize this until many years into the job. The things which you will read in this book are those subjects that I felt should have been explained in more depth. Of course, basic law enforcement training has probably changed a great deal over the years. There may be more classes today which deal with these subjects across the country if we were to do a survey of academies. I am not putting any training facility down, nor am I saying that any state is substandard when it comes to preparing it’s officers. I am simply stating that there are points that should be covered in regards to the effects of this lifestyle on the human being. I think that it would have helped me out a great deal to have had someone teach me the ups and downs of law enforcement while in the academy. On the other hand, we all know that most of us do not listen too well when we are younger! No matter what you are told, you will always try it out for yourself first. That is fine, but law enforcement is serious business. It can really take it’s toll on you if you let it. This book should help explain that from my personal perspective.

For those of you who are not officers, you will see that this career is unlike any other. There are so many jobs out there that are the normal eight to five. You tend to get in a pattern of going to work and coming home everyday at the same time. In law enforcement, you can forget all of the normal rules of living! First of all, most officers do not work the standard work day. As a matter of fact, many departments have a twelve hour shift as a regular work day. The shifts often rotate from days to nights in the middle of the week, and overtime can come at any time. The tasks that you complete each day will probably be different from the last. Some things are repetitive, but you will normally have a nice variety of jobs. The officer, although not literally, can be compared to a counselor, medic, protector, and friend.

There are not many jobs that require one to live so many lives. You may be helping an elderly person one minute and the next, be fighting for your life. I hope to convey some of those examples to you in this book, as well as the effects that it can have on you personally. Here again, these are my opinions as to what officers may be going through. I am