Terry Trulson: An Image of An Officer

An Interview by Alex Merk

Terry Trulson

He is a retired police officer from Pasco Police Department. He served formally as a Patrol Officer, Sergeant, Detective, and Sgt.of Detectives, as well as various other positions over his 20 year career.

He currently works with the State of WA as apart of the Traffic Safety Commission. Organizing emphasis patrols with all of the local agencies

Career- Satisfaction?

He expressed great satisfaction with his career and his life in general. He was able to help other people. He was able to put bad people in jail and keep his community safe. “If I only helped one person in my 20 some years as a cop…it would be all worth while”

Like and Disliked

Helping other people Relatively

Fun/Diverse Was an active

player in seeing “his town” grow

No day was ever the same…always new

Saw very horrific things

Watched good people in bad situations

Domestic Violence in Tri- Cities: An Officers View Terry described DV In the early 80’s and 90’s the same as it was

today; Violent and Sad. He valued his ability to use discretion at each case. A luxury that

has changed in recent years with the instatement of mandatory arrests. (He also added that mandatory arrests is a good theory, but officer discretion can be more practical in purpose. MA’s don’t work as preventive measures, and only add paperwork)

He described the TC as 3 main cultures Caucasian, Hispanic, and African American. But never noted a prevalence among one of them. Only the association of alcohol, and socio-economic situation.

He made note that theorists write about DV but officers witness it each day.

Child Abuse

He shared with me some very sad stories relating to child abuse. And I have opted not to share them. Through out the semester we have read and learned the horrific things that humans are capable of.

Terry did note that with kids being able to smile at them has a curing effect. It shows that you care. Something that may be absent from their lives. He also said that follow-ups are also very important. As an officer you have become a savior and to continue to show you care will help them heal.

Culture- An obstacle?

Terry described culture as a huge hurtle. Empathy is a valuable tool, and coupled with understanding made for an strong officer. Each culture is different and being able to empathize with each one was imperative.

Example- Russia. In the early 90’s the TC had a huge growth of the Russian population. He said that he noticed a more aggressive nature in them. As a Sergeant of Detectives he and the Pasco PD had to adapt to understand them. They did so through Community Oriented Policing. They talked to citizens and learned the culture as to learn how to combat such violence.

Coping?

I asked him how he coped with such horrific events and he laughed and said…talk about it.

His wife Lana was his rock. He shared every detail of his job with her. It kept from bottling emotion and hurt. She was happy to help lighten his emotional load. He also noted that it wasn’t easy sharing, but it made him a better man for it, and in doing so helped him to help others.

Early Training tools Offered to Officers

Next to none other than Academy. Only experience, and older officersTerry said that the chiefs he worked with

did a good job of hiring people with a high level of people skills. In that way, they were able to avoid “problematic situations” (he said that with a smile)

Interventions

Terry said that he felt officers don’t get enough credit. Every time they arrive at a situation where abuse has occurred they are the interveners. They deal with broken homes, and ruined families.

He stressed again that EMPATHY is an officers best friend. Being able to put yourself in another’s shoes helps calm down those involved. Having that calming effect in a tense situation can and will diffuse every situation. And in the long run aide the family.

Advice for Future Officers/ So. Workers? Have empathy and you will be a huge help.

The effects empathy has on all involved goes far into the future.

Always have patience…with everybody, all the time. Rushing into anything and making snap judgments at the wrong times can do more harm then good. Patience is always the best choice.

Prevention

He did not have an answer right off the bat. He said that people will always be violent, and abuse in every form will always be here. Alcohol is a huge variable, and one that will never go away.

He said the only thing he could see to help would to continue with Community Oriented Policing. It gives officers opportunities to be apart of their community and learn from the public, gaining the trust to “bust” the bad guys with the help and trust of the community.