Tip: Lose the cell phone

Whether you are in class, doing a ride-along or station visit or working on probation, turn off your cell phone. Keeping focused and minimizing distractions is important. Even more important is avoiding the perception that goes along with having your cell phone ring in your pocket while you are in the middle of a conversation. Even if you reach into your pocket to silence your phone, it still reflects poorly on you when your phone rings or vibrates while you are supposed to be focused on something else. Turn it off, and keep it off until the time is right to answer a call.