What Drives You?
by James Englert, PCI #1081
Arapahoe County (CO) Sheriff’s Office
IPMBA Treasurer
Photo: Centennial Citizen, August 2008.
I have been in law enforcement for almost 22 years. Within my department, I have worked in several different areas such as detentions, patrol, and school resource officer (SRO). The majority of my time has been spent as an SRO (my current assignment), which I truly enjoy. With the multiple events that have happened over the last six years, I had been looking at how much longer I need to work before I can retire or do something else. I realized that I have several more years before I can make any big changes. My point is, I am not new to this work.
Around the first of this school year, the cross-country coach at my school sent out an e-mail asking for volunteers to help with the cross-country meet at our school. Because of the COVID restrictions, they had to limit the number of runners, and they couldn’t have parent volunteers. It sounded like fun, so I told the coach I would help at one of the meets.
Since she knows that I like to ride my bike around campus, the coach suggested that I ride my bike at the meet and either lead a race or follow behind the runners to ensure runners don’t need help.
When I arrived at the meet, I volunteered to ride behind the runners. The boys group went first, followed by the girls. In each race, the faster group went first and the slower group went second. Among the bike volunteers, I said I would follow the slower group.
In both races, the students started in a group but quickly spread apart. I followed the very last runner. In each group, there were about four to five runners at the very back; after the first mile or so, there were usually only one or two people at the end, and it stayed that way to the finish.
I’m sure the last few runners didn’t start the race thinking they were going to win. They probably had some idea that they were not the fastest.
Yet, as I followed the runners, I was impressed to see how hard those students were running. They appeared to be putting in 110% effort. It was awesome to hear their parents and friends cheer them on as they ran. I tried to do all I could to support the last runners by yelling, “You’re doing great!”, “Just one more corner!”, and, “You’re almost there!”
Watching these students work so hard and seeing the looks on their faces gave me chills.
Toward the finish line, it was very cool to see that the runners who had already finished and their friends were cheering the last runners on as they crossed the line.
Even though it has been a couple of months since the race, I still think of how hard the runners were running and how much effort they put in for those 3.1 miles. There are a couple of things that stick out to me from that day.
My first point: There will be a finish line. Sometimes we complain when things are difficult or what we think is difficult. We have all worked hard to get where we are; none of us were just handed the jobs we are doing. We put in a lot of effort, and most days are hard. Like when the runners were running so hard they were definitely feeling the pain, but it was worth it at the finish, being cheered on by family and friends.
My second point: Sometimes we focus too much the end. There is nothing wrong with that, but when we are doing a job just to get to the finish line, it takes the enjoyment out the work. Like the runners running, it can be difficult sometimes, but we have to take the time to enjoy the positive moments, like the cheering from their parents and friends
I know these not words of wisdom that will change your life forever. I believe that in difficult times, you need to think about what drives you. What drives me is thinking that some days may be difficult, but eventually you will get to the finish line. Just don’t forget to have fun getting there.
James has been a deputy with Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office since 1999. He has worked in the jail and on the road. He became a School Resource Officer (SRO) in 2006. He was certified as an IPMBA Police Cyclist in 2006 and as an IPMBA Instructor in 2008. In addition to IPMBA, James teaches Alive @ 25 and is an instructor for NASRO. He received the ACSO Award of Valor and the NASRO National Award of Valor in 2014 for his role in the December 2013 school shooting. James was elected to the IPMBA Board in 2012 and currently serves as Treasurer. He can be reached at jenglert9926@gmail.com.
(c) 2020 IPMBA. This article appeared in the 2020 Board Issue of IPMBA News.