“That Guy”: Every Squad Has One — Guardian Score Can Help
Every squad has that guy.
He’s not lazy. He’s not corrupt. Often, he’s one of your top performers. Reports are tight. Arrests are solid. But once he’s on scene… things escalate. Tensions rise. People clam up, record, or lash out.
It’s not about what he does—it’s how he does it.
Sometimes, that guy follows every rule—but still lights a match. Sarcasm, rigidity, dismissiveness—it all adds up.
I’ve been that guy. Late nights, high-stress calls—any of us can slip.
I’ve supervised that guy, too. In one case, the officer was technically flawless—but simply too rigid. No policy violations. But plenty of public distrust.
That led to dozens of complaints—and even tougher conversations. And defensiveness, especially:
- "What did I do wrong?"
- "I followed policy."
- "They were disrespectful."
- "Where's the proof?"
That’s why Guardian Score matters.
It brings data to the conversation. Trends, not anecdotes. It shows frequency of negative interactions, types of issues, and peer comparisons. It’s not about blame—it’s about awareness and improvement.
Real-World Stakes
Wichita, Kansas — July 2016
Instead of a protest, police and Black Lives Matter leaders held a community cookout. Officers played basketball, danced (the “whip and nae nae”), and shared burgers—earning both local and national praise (whec.com, washingtonpost.com).
Rochester, New York — May 7, 2024
A traffic stop for an expired inspection sticker escalated when officers smashed a car window and forcefully removed a compliant driver. The body-cam video went viral, raising public concern despite no weapons or arrest (13wham.com).
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — January 2022
A 5th grader taught an officer the “Shake It” TikTok dance. The moment went viral—and later the officer surprised the student at his graduation, reinforcing trust through empathy (6abc.com).
These stories show extremes: one interaction builds trust and goodwill. Another fractures it—despite following the rules.
That guy rarely breaks policy or law—but he chips away at community trust. Small gaps form, and soon they are wide.
At a time when policing must maintain and expand public confidence, we need tools—like Guardian Score—that bring clarity before incidents escalate.
Guardian Score alerts leadership early. It gives officers real feedback, based on trends. Not an isolated complaint—but months of interactions. It enables constructive interventions that help good cops stay good—and get better.
Because we all want to serve—and be seen to serve—the public with compassion and respect.
Every squad has that guy. Guardian Score helps make sure he doesn’t stay that guy.
Want to learn how Guardian Score can help your agency build trust, strengthen leadership, and reduce risk?
👉 Visit www.GuardianScore.com or contact us to schedule a demo. Better feedback leads to better policing—and better policing earns stronger community support.
