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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Police Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
LT Francis X Meech (Ret) (1983-2009)
Massachusetts State Police
WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO MAKE A CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT?
knew by the time I was in the 10th grade in high school, that I wanted to be a police officer. The year was 1972 and the Vietnam War was coming to an end. I had decided at this time that I was going to enlist in the military and  use the GI Bill to pay for my college education after the service. I did not want to bother my parents to have to come up with the money for school. So I took matters into my own hands and planned it out. My goal was to become a Massachusetts State Trooper and how I got there is a story in itself.
I don't know what really influenced me to go in a law enforcement direction. I had no family members or relatives who were police officers. I would become the first and my brother Bill would follow in my footsteps a few years later. I think that becoming a police officer during those years was really a calling. The pay was not that good and the hours long. You did it because you wanted to do it. Hell, I used to say I would pay the department for the pleasure of driving a cruiser around town. Now I think a lot of people join the force to make money. The pay has gone way up since 1980 when I first was hired. People use to join the force to help others. Now so many seem to be helping themselves.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR CAREER PATH AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?
Right now, I am retired and enjoying it. I get to spend my time being on my clock and doing what I want. That's a great feeling after all those years of working nights, weekends, and holidays. I don't think a lot of people understand what it takes to be  a police officer. You have to do the grunt work first. Learn, train and then put into practice what you have learned. Many start off as EMT's or call firefighters. Some start as dispatchers or reserve officers and auxiliary police. I began my career as a reserve police officer in the town of Yarmouth on Cape Cod in 1980.
While I was working there I had taken the civil service exam for police officer. Mind you, I was 24 years old and a four year Marine Corps veteran at this time. By the time I was 26, I was hired in 1983 by the Metropolitan Police Department in Massachusetts. From 1983 until 1992 I worked as a patrolman for the Metropolitan police. During those years I worked as an academy instructor, field training officer, and tactical team member. In 1992, all of the state police departments, which included the Registry of Motor Vehicles, State Capitol Police, Metropolitan Police and the State Police were consolidated into one department: The division of State Police. This was done as a cost saving idea which I don't believe saved any money.
My tenure on the State Police lasted until my retirement in 2009. On the State Police I rose to the rank of Lieutenant and retired as shift commander.
DID YOU SERVE IN THE MILITARY PRIOR? AND IF SO, IN WHAT BRANCH OF SERVICE? IN WHAT WAYS HAS MILITARY SERVICE INFLUENCED YOUR CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT?
 I served in the Marine Corps from 1974 through 1978. Obviously the first thing about being a marine and a police officer is the discipline that is required to do both. The military also forces you to think for yourself and make sound decisions. Also you learn that there are consequences for actions as well as inaction's. Doing nothing is not an option. I've seen situations where police officers are just frozen in place by being overwhelmed by the sheer size of the event.
I believe the military is a great starting point for someone looking to become a police officer.
WHICH, OF THE AGENCIES OR DEPARTMENTS YOU WERE ASSIGNED TO, DO YOU HAVE THE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY?
 Believe it or not. I really enjoyed working for my hometown department the best. It gives you a sense of community; that you and the town are in this together. Making your home a safer and nicer community.
When you work for a large state police agency, you really are working on the fringe of the cities and towns. The highways and unincorporated areas of the state. Most of your interactions are with people you will only see once. That's the way it is for most road troopers, those assigned to detective work or other investigatory units have a different perspective.
The one bonus also working with the state police is the opportunity to work in high profile positions such as protecting the governor and state wide tactical operations.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER WHAT PARTICULAR INCIDENT HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
 I would have to say it's the line of duty deaths that has the biggest impact. Just counting on my fingers there are at least 10 names on the wall in Washington of people who I knew. People I worked with on a daily basis. Talked to and ate with. Knew their family members and friends. That's not counting the off duty deaths of colleagues and classmates.
We all take the same risks and put ourselves out there. We know that when you put the uniform on we make ourselves a target. We know that and accept that, yet we still go to work. But after attending another officer's funeral you ask yourself, is my number next?
OF THE MEDALS, AWARDS OR BADGES YOU RECEIVED, WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
 Being selected to the State Police Special Tactical Operations (STOP) Team would have to be my biggest accomplishment. It's the SWAT team of the State Police. Like most tactical teams, we were required during hostage rescue, high risk warrant service and dignitary protection.
The reason this position was so meaningful was because it was exciting and important. When negotiations ended we went to work. We had workout shirts made with the STOP Team logo on them that stated "Negotiation or elimination, the choice is yours". During my 10 years on the team we only had to use deadly force once. A testament to the holy trinity of special ops: Seed, surprise, violence of action.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM YOUR CAREER MADE THE MOST POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON YOU AND WHY?
 This is a tough question for me. It's more of a collaboration of people than one individual. On the Massachusetts State Police, you work with so many highly qualified and educated people that you would have to be crazy not to take something away from every encounter with them. For me personally, the greatest advice was to have an exit plan before you reached retirement.
The other bit of advice was to never look back after you retire. Focus on what is in front of you but remember where you came from.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU HAVE LEARNED AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER?
 Be truthful. Don't be afraid to speak your mind if you think you have a good idea. This is more for officers who have moved up to supervisory positions and command staff. Going back to number one. Be truthful. I have seen officers lose their job not for the act they committed but for lying in a report about it later. Your ability to be a quality police officer hinges on your testimony in court. If you are caught lying during testimony, your ability to be a police officer is destroyed. If you can't be believed on the witness stand you are no use to your agency. Veracity is everything.
Also, watch out for one another. Sometimes the organization is only as strong as it's weakest link.
HOW HAS SERVING AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU CONDUCT YOUR PERSONAL LIFE AND YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS OUTSIDE OF THE DEPARTMENT?
 Like the saying goes, " Once a Marine, always a Marine". I think it's the same with police officers. After living a certain life style for so many years, it becomes ingrained in you. You have to wean yourself out of "Cop mode" and start to learn how to relax more.
I think with age also comes wisdom and you start to have more patience and tolerance for people. Maybe not. But I'm trying anyway. I find myself trying to calm other people down more often than not. Relax and smell the flowers.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR A ROOKIE WHO HAS JUST PUT ON THE BADGE?
 My advice would be, make sure you're in this for the right reason. Realize there are going to be sacrifices that you will have to make. Family first. The department will always be there, but if you neglect your family they may not. At the end of the day leave work at work.
Be truthful and honest with yourself and others. Take care of one another and watch each others back. Everyone on your job is not your friend. There are people who will step on you to further their career. Trust your gut. If something doesn't feel right, it isn't.
Have a strong moral character. Never do anything that your mother would be ashamed of if she read about it in the news. Same advice I gave my son.
Same advice I gave my son when he graduated from the State Trooper program.
IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU FEEL THIS WEBSITE CAN BENEFIT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY?
By giving us a secure place to mingle and communicate among ourselves and make contacts with former brothers in service.
It also provides the opportunity to exchange information about law enforcement such as tactics, do's and don'ts, lessons learned and everyday pitfalls. The section asking for what advice would you give a rookie may be one of the more important questions for other police officers--old timers and the new cops on the block. Might even save their lives, careers and marriages.
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TWS VOICES
TWS Voices are the personal stories of men and women who currently serve, or who previously served as a US Police or Federal Officer, and conveys how serving their Country and Community has made a positive impact on their lives. If you would like your story to be featured in a future edition of Voices, or know someone else who may be interested, please contact TWS Voices HERE.
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