This is the mantra of the high school football team that I coach.  #1TEAM1FIGHT!  The mantra motivates and inspires us to work together, to forget about who gets the credit, and if we can do that, good things will come.

We come together through various correctional organizations or committees throughout the state.  Afterwards, discussions centered over funding steams and delivery systems continue.  Agents continue to work together in harmony, yet us leaders sometimes become divisive.  I’ve said this before:  safety and training should never be political.  Nor should our supervision of clients.

Our communities and our clients do not care if you are a CCA, CPO, DOC or a DOC Contract agent.  They “only care that you care”, which is another lesson I’ve learned along the way as a football coach.

Let’s get back to the table and discuss our differences.  No agenda, just professionals in a room coming together for the good of corrections.  Start to trust one another.  Learn that it is o.k. to choose your system of delivery, and to do so without complaint from others.

Be professional.  Be proactive.  Be a TEAMMATE!  Be willing to be a part of the solution, not part of the problem.  As your MACPO President, I am willing to do whatever possible to build bridges with other agencies, organizations, and delivery systems.

If we all strive to be better, we’ll do better.  And if we do better, we’ll truly become #1TEAM1FIGHT!

Terry Fawcett,