Hint: talk to people like they're people! And like you're a person!  Novel concept!  We talk about humanizing the badge, which means we need to act like “normal” people first.

Easier said than done, and I wish I had know this early in my career.  It's definitely that much harder if you let your emotions and ego get in the way of things.  

I tried the robotic approach - no go. I tried the fake it til you make it tough guy- hard pass. People see right through it.

When you are able to be straight, even a bit unpolished at times, people see it, feel it as genuine and will open up and be genuine right back.

This is huge from community events, simple contacts, victim interactions and even suspect conversations.

As always, like, subscribe, share, tell your people to do the same. Better together- stay well and stay gritty!