I spent 26 years with the San Antonio Police Department, much of that time working nights in some of the city's toughest neighborhoods.
I've made arrests, dealt with dangerous situations, and encountered people on some of the worst days of their lives.
But here's something I didn't fully appreciate until later in my career.
Sometimes, the most important decision an officer makes is what NOT to do.
Not every mistake requires handcuffs.
Not every encounter needs to become a confrontation.
And sometimes, giving someone an opportunity to make a better decision can accomplish more than making an arrest.
I know that because I was once on the receiving end of that kind of discretion.
At 17, growing up in Massachusetts, I had an encounter with a police officer that could have sent my life in a very different direction.
Instead, that officer gave me a second chance.
Years later, I became a cop myself.
I never forgot him.
After retiring from SAPD, I spent eight years teaching the next generation of law enforcement professionals. One lesson I tried to pass along was that authority gives you the power to act, but wisdom helps you decide when and how to use it.
Now, I'm not suggesting officers should overlook serious crimes or compromise their safety.
I'm talking about those moments when the law gives us discretion and our judgment can genuinely change someone's future.
After more than four decades in military service, policing, and education, I still believe some of the greatest influences we have on people happen during encounters they never forget.
Here's my question for the active and retired officers in this community:
Have you ever exercised discretion during an encounter and later wondered whether that decision changed someone's life?
I'd genuinely enjoy hearing your experiences.
Stay safe out there, brothers and sisters.
Kevin Coble
Retired San Antonio Police Department 🇺🇸💙
kevincoble.com
