Look, a squirrel
I know, so played. So very played.
Yawn.
A disclaimer to all of you internet P.h.d’s and Facebook neuroscientists. This article is merely asking a question.
Some of you reading this will lash out with a superbly executed counter to the question and argument.
Go easy.
Why do so many cops have ADHD?
See Related: “5 Strange Rituals of a Seasoned Cop”
Or, does the law enforcement profession attract those with ADHD?
I have been pondering both since 2012.
That’s when I finally gave in and did something about my “affliction”. I guess I had an extreme case because I really didn’t “give in.” In reality, it was more like an intervention from family and co-workers.
I couldn’t see it.
I mean the terrible grades in school, the failed marriages, the impulsive and erratic behavior at times. What the hell were these people talking about?
I was perfectly fine.
Stay focused man
My god if I had a nickel for every time I would hear that in a day.
With all good intentions, when you tell someone with ADHD to stay focused, you have essentially hit the pause button in their brain.
Like fingerprints or DNA, no two people with ADHD display the same characteristics of the “affliction.”
See Related Article: “Army Reservist Cop Retires After 25 Years, Only 2 Spent with PD”
Other than not being able to focus on anything for more than 3 seconds, the two that I displayed most prominently were hyper-speak and what I like to call the “Six Million Dollar Man” syndrome.
The best way for me to describe hyper-speak is this;
For normal brains, the thoughts that eventually become words and intelligible sentences, flow and pause based on the pace and temper of the person communicating.
For me and others who suffer from hyper-speak, the words in our head are coming at us at break neck speed and actually speed up as we begin to speak.
This usually comes across as arrogant, loud and sometimes mean. I guess that’s where my saltiness comes from.
Far worse than hyper-speak for me is dealing with and coping with the “Six Million Dollar Man” syndrome (this is what’s happening in my brain).
If you are my age then you remember this show that was quite popular in the late 70’s.
The main character, Steve Austin, an astronaut, is horribly maimed in a space accident. In a nutshell, the government rebuilds him with robotic limbs which in turn gives him superman like powers.
One of these powers is the ability to run fast.
Really fast.
For some reason, the shows producers thought it would be a cool effect to show him running in slow motion when in reality he was running at lightening speed. I know, it doesn’t make sense but hey, it was the 1970’s.
If you don’t believe me, check out this video..
ADHD and after almost 35 years it’s almost Aspergers. You described the ability to react quickly to situations. People think I care and that’s half the battle. I’ve been this way my whole life. What was the aha moment like when you found out? I think that ADHD is almost a prerequisite for the job.
That’s definitely me!!! I tried to do the investigations thing that included the traditional-styled desk. That experiment didn’t work out very well for me. My “Look, a squirrel!!!”, moments seriously interrupted my report writing and other tasks. Now I’m back in my mobile office and having a blast! The zero to 60 and 60 to zero fits me perfectly. And I’ve actually read an article that listed the best jobs for those with ADHD: if it wasnt the number 1 choice, law enforcement was way up at the top of the list.
Homerun.i realized,thanks to my administrative assistant,in my early forties and ten years on,that I was not laid back.in my mind I was throttling back all the time.mr.laid back.she thought it was a joke.when she realized I wasn’t kidding, she told me nobody that knew would consider me laid back.wow.eye opener.realized that flat out was not laid back.never good enough,never fast enough.didnt mind telling the Sheriff he was full of it,even though I respected him.after 41 years a change in administration ended my career.hate retirement. But it is what it is.love your posts.and Sgt was my favorite rank.give me the right Sgt and right company clerk I can run anything.
The reason Law Enforcement Personal have ADHD is because so many citizen have CUTR (Cranium Up Their Rectum ). But yes I was in Law Enforcement for 40 years and when my youngest child was diagnosed with ADHD in school and the doctors said it was sometimes inherited from parent I had myself tested and WHALA I was told I was affected with ADHD and I survived 40 years in LE.
I have been saying for years that police work is the perfect fit for someone with ADD. Including myself. Retired as a Lt. with 32 years otj. I never would have survived in the civilian world.
It’s funny that you brought this up I answered to one of your articles before my son Jared has been a police officer for almost 3 years and he had ADHD all through school. Does some of that has gone away it seems like the only time he is super focused is when he’s at work but again I find it interesting that you coralie ADHD and police officers and Jared had that all through school and now he’s a damn good police officer
the only problem with officers who have ADHD/ADD etc is they eventually promote out of patrol (most have a problem sitting still long enough to work anything else) and become supervisors over people who don’t have ADHD/ADD etc. Then they get made a supervisor in a division like CID over a bunch of methodical detectives, assigned an office and become miserable. Since most are really nice guys they share this misery with everyone else through a device called, “The Good Idea Fairy”. Now though they have no experience in the unit they are supervising, through the years of testing and going through boards they are automatically certified experts in activities they have never actually done, thus can eagerly tell someone who’s been doing the job for decade the best way to do it. This is an actual conversation;
ADHD Lt.; “okay, detective, why are you wanting to send this to grand jury instead of getting a warrant?”
Very tired detective; the case can be construed as civil and I know our judge, he ain’t signing it, but the DA’s office is on board with the case and will push it through.
ADHD Lt.; (starts to fidget because he’s been still longer than thirty seconds) “So why aren’t we getting the warrant?”
Very tired detective; “You see, Lt, even if I do get a warrant, he’s going to grand jury anyway. This way, they’ll issue the warrant and there won’t be any problems.”
ADHD Lt.; “why do you guys always talk to the DA’s office?”
Very tired detective; “because they prosecute all of our felonies, we staff cases with them to get guidance on which way we should go. it makes it easier for everyone in the long run, and if I didn’t mention it, they’re all on board with this case.”
ADHD Lt; “my ass hurts from all those squats I did earlier.”
Very tired detective; “squats will do that, Lt.”
ADHD Lt; “Yeah, tell you what, get a warrant and don’t worry about the DA’s office.”
Very tired detective; “You understand the judge isn’t signing this warrant, he going to say its civil.” ADHD Lt gives quick nod and wanders off towards the smell of coffee while massaging his sore butt.
If ADHD can be somewhat controlled its a good thing for creating something positive. I’ve just never seen anyone who had complete control over it….
Before I was diagnosed with AD/HD, at age 38, I never realized that my life was little more than a constant quest for stimulation. Police work helped fill that need for stimulation. Sadly, I’m retired now, but since then, I’ve long said that police work is an ideal job for those who have AD/HD. Patrolling (or wandering around without much structure) and responding to crises (instant prioritization) worked very well for me. Thanks for making the connection between these two things.