Our friend, Ron Borsch, shared something with us that he calls the “Crab Barrel Theory”. After reading this theory, I thought it was worth sharing with all of our readers. I have been the victim of the crab barrel during my career. Read Ron’s article and then share your own experiences with us.
photo by Nate Steiner
THE “CRAB-BARREL” THEORY
At an August 2009 luncheon meeting of local police instructors, the discussion came around to the animosity of some folks in law enforcement where the accomplishments of their peers may be ignored or dismissed in some fashion. Some of our number mentioned incompetent staff officers who did not want any subordinates in a position of authority who knew more than they did or disagreed with their views, (we certainly hope these are in the minority).
A case in point was an accomplished and enthusiastic trainer who was trained and certified in multiple subjects, (as many of us were), and had the habit of suggesting to his untrained and uncertified Training Officer that his training view on some subjects conflicted with a training technique, safety, best practices, an industry standard, Etc. Instead of being grateful for the guided input, it resulted in the knowledgeable trainer being removed from his agencies training bureau. While this enlightened trainer presently does no training at his own agency, he is sought after by an enlightened boss at a local college basic police recruit school program.
My thought process went to two examples of jealousy where one attempts to promote themselves not so much by honestly selling themselves, as UNSELLING another person by attempting to subtract from their accomplishments. In the first incident, a trainer, in negative reference to another, stated “Anyone can travel around the country collecting certificates”. Of course, the statement, merely on its face is false, as not everyone either wants to, or can afford the time and cost. (The trainer he was speaking about is self-motivated, attends regular training on a self-pay basis, and has a tracking history of training his own agency officers for free).
On the other hand, the cheap-shot trainer, was not known to invest in his own training career, instead crabbing about the agency not sending him to training he wants to go to. The second incident involved a tactical concept where another shallow person, presenting his opinion as authoritive by his years as an FTO and in SWAT, complained to the boss about what he thought was a faulty “new” concept being taught. Problem? The trainer he was crabbing about had twice the FTO & SWAT experience, at the time had probable cause, (and growing), peer reviewed and proof of concept as a successful trainer. As I was considering discussing either of these incidents, a couple of other trainers started discussing the “Crab Barrel” phenomenon which I was totally unaware of:
In essence, the crab theory refers to the idea that you never need to put a top on a barrel of crabs to prevent escape, because they’re all too busy pulling at each other’s legs and climbing on each other’s backs to think of working together and pushing each other out.
Booker T. Washington, (founder of Tuskegee Institute and author of “Atlanta Compromise Address”). www.deafdc.com
As my instructor peers patiently explained the above concept to me, we then agreed that unfortunately, such animosity and jealousy seem to exist to some degree in everyone’s agency. It sure seems to me that law enforcement in general, can accomplish so much more if each of us does their part to “NOT ACT LIKE A CRAB”.
SEALE Academy Bedford Ohio
Manager Ron Borsch
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