Good Cop, Bad Cop, No Cop

The Labels are only the Icing on a Stale and Inedible Cake

The origination of Good Cop, Bad Cop, is often cited as John E. Reid’s interrogation techniques in the 1950’s.  His technique was to create a high-pressure environment for the interviewee, followed by sympathy and offers of understanding. 

In the years since, we have all seen this play out in countless movies and shows.  The concept has transcended police interrogations.  We often hear parents describe one of themselves as the Good Cop and the other as the Bad Cop.    At work we often find bosses and deputies, splitting the roles among them.

It sounds innocent enough at the outset, but is it?  At the risk of sounding woke, I want to dissect this a little bit.  The first obvious point is that parents and supervisors are not cops at all.  I get it.  It’s a metaphor.  But is it an accurate and useful one?  I greatly admire the hard work, commitment, and sacrifices of our law enforcement communities.   But why is that the metaphor?  Could we be good and bad lawyers, plumbers, or doctors as our metaphor?

And why the good and bad?  Why not good and good?  Or good and better? Does anyone really want to be the bad one?  A few, I guess.  But what kid wants to face the bad cop parent?  What employee is eager to visit with the bad cop supervisor?  It’s like admitting that life can’t function without negative influence from authority.  If that were true, why doesn’t the concept invade very profession.  “Good morning Mrs. Edwards.  Thank you for shopping at Giant Supermarket today.  Would you like good cashier or bad cashier today?”

“I see you have a speeding ticket.  We have good Judge and bad Judge here to decide on your case.”

I would call it silly, but it is worse than that.  It is a manipulation.  It is not kind.  Children and employees are aware of what is happening.  The routine becomes more of a staged skit than honest human interaction.  Bad Cops make bad impressions.  Bad impressions make for a bad environment.  Bad environments are not healthy.  

I read an article yesterday that was published just last year.  The author advocated for a Good Cop, Bad Copy strategy as a way to “handle” employees and “gain an advantage.”  He even went on to say, “Handling employees is extremely important.”  Is he kidding?  I had to read it twice to make sure I was not reading something from The Onion, the satirical and absurd news for humor’s sake.

Of all the words.  Handle?  How about mentor, help, teach, coach, advise, train, motivate, inspire, assist, aid, consult, counsel, instruct, tutor, guide, nurture, empower….    If was asked to provide a verb to describe my relationship with my children or my team, the word “handle” would never be in my vernacular.   And isn’t the power paradigm lopsided enough without supervisors gaining an additional advantage?

I have to say, I have encountered something worse.  Bad Cop, Bad Cop.  It can happen when the boss is inherently a bad cop and chooses to hire a deputy that is fully aligned and can be the bad cop.  Likely not done with forethought, intention, or malice.  But the employees see it and suffer for it.  Where there is no empathy, there is no morale.  Where there is no morale, retention suffers.

There are only two people who can change this dynamic, the two cops.  Drop the labels.  Be fair and compassionate.  And if you have to have labels share your Myers-Briggs personality  type outside your door and encourage others to do the same.  This will help you navigate effective work and communications.   There are experts and facilitators, like the phenomenal Table Group who can help your company be successful with cohesive teams and engaged employees. 

I have this daydream where someday I walk by the office of a boss and a deputy, and one has a placard that reads “Coaching Cop” and the other one reads “Empowering Cop.”  I want to work there.

Editorial Note – If you did not read the caption, both cops pictured here are good cops. If they can do it, we all can.

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