By Joseph Buttery
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No department is immune to the slow creep of discontent, complacency or disengagement. Left unchecked, these attitudes spread quickly. In policing, we know James Wilson and George Kelling’s broken windows theory [3], which reminds us that visible disorder weakens control and invites more serious problems. The same principle applies within our own ranks. This isn’t just about repairing broken windows in the community, but about who fixes them inside the department.
It’s easy to push accountability up to the administration. But by the time the command staff is forced to act, the damage is already done. Most of these problems can and should be addressed earlier. Small cracks fixed at the individual or first-line level last longer and have a deeper impact than any top-down directive.
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From the street to the squad room
When William Bratton applied broken windows policing in New York City, he showed how fixing small problems — fare evasion, public drunkenness, graffiti — signaled order and sparked broader reform [1]. The same principle applies inside any department.
As Conor Friedersdorf notes [2], tolerating minor misconduct, unchecked cynicism or unprofessional habits becomes its own broken window, eroding trust and morale. Just as graffiti invites more graffiti, ignored negativity reshapes culture if it goes unchecked.
The responsibility of influence
Mid-level supervisors often hold more influence than they realize. Tightening report quality keeps sloppy habits from spreading. Addressing roll call complaining or “parking lot conspiracy meetings” stops negativity before it poisons morale. Enforcing uniform standards reminds everyone that professionalism is expected on and off duty. Even small corrections in punctuality, communication or follow-up send a clear message that standards matter.
These day-to-day interventions not only preserve order but also build pride. Officers notice when their supervisors care about details. That attention breeds accountability, cohesion and a culture where morale grows instead of erodes. I challenge you to take a hard look at your role — whether as a supervisor or as an individual — and see where you can improve.
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Fixing the first window: You
Personal accountability is where it starts. Fix cracks fast by redoing the report before sending it, making up the workout you skipped or thinking before you speak.
Micro-preparations like laying out gear, prepping meals and keeping your space squared away prevent macro problems. Set a broad “if-then” rule: If I slip in one area, then I immediately counter it with discipline somewhere else. Protect your mental and physical reserves with sleep, nutrition and steady routines. And don’t go it alone. Invite positive peers to push you, check you and keep you sharp.
The professionalism experiment
I recently made a small adjustment: I began wearing a tie daily during my Criminal Investigations Division assignment. This wasn’t a division requirement, and I didn’t announce my intent. Before long, other detectives followed. Positive comments about our sharper, more professional appearance came from patrol and other divisions.
Around the same time, I invited a few colleagues to join my daily workouts. What started with one partner grew into a small group. Attire, fitness and accountability are personal broken window repairs. These small acts require little more than initiative but can transform the culture around you.
Ask yourself this: When you look around at your shift, your squad or even your own routine, what positive change can you make right now to strengthen pride and professionalism?
Listen to Gordon Graham discuss the value of professional dress for law enforcement:
Conclusion
The lesson of broken windows is timeless.
Wilson and Kelling showed that disorder breeds more disorder. Bratton demonstrated that addressing it can transform entire cities. Friedersdorf warns that ignoring misconduct corrodes trust. Applying broken windows theory to ourselves and our immediate circles strengthens professionalism, lifts morale and builds a culture we can take pride in.
References
- Bratton, W. J. (1998). Turnaround: How America’s top cop reversed the crime epidemic. Random House.
- Friedersdorf, C. (2020, June 4). Apply broken-windows theory to the police. The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/06/apply-broken-windows-theory-police/613186/
- Wilson, J. Q., & Kelling, G. L. (1982). Broken windows: The police and neighborhood safety. The Atlantic Monthly, 249(3), 29–38.
About the author
Joseph Buttery joined the United States Marine Corps at 17 years old as an Intelligence Analyst and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. He was later invited to be an Aviation Weapons and Tactics Instructor at a training command in Yuma, Arizona, before receiving an honorable discharge in 2004.
After the military, Buttery attended college, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. He later received a Master’s Degree in Applied Criminology from Texas A&M University-Commerce in 2013.
Prior to law enforcement, Buttery was a Sergeant with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. He was assigned to the Security Threat Group Department to identify and investigate gang activity within the McConnell Unit in Beeville, Texas.
Buttery began his law enforcement career in 2010 with the Bee County Sheriff’s Office as a Patrol Deputy. During his time with the Sheriff’s Office, he was an active member of the Special Weapons and Tactics Team.
After two years with the Bee County Sheriff’s Office, he went to work for the Sherman Police Department in 2012. While employed with the Sherman Police Department, he was a Field Training Officer who trained newly hired police officers. Additionally, Buttery was a Mental Health Peace Officer, Crisis Negotiator and Bicycle Patrol Officer.
Buttery was hired by the Prosper Police Department in 2020. While assigned to the Patrol Division, he was a Field Training Officer who trained newly hired officers. He assisted in the implementation of the Crisis Negotiation Team at the Prosper Police Department and is one of the agency’s Emergency Vehicle Operations Instructors. He is currently assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division as a Detective/Corporal with the primary focus on Fraud and Financial Crimes.
Buttery currently holds a Master Peace Officer License with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) and has received his Advanced Instructor Certification along with his Certified Fraud Examiner Certification.
In addition to his law enforcement career, Buttery serves as a college professor, teaching Criminal Justice courses at Collin College and Grayson College. He is passionate about educating the next generation of criminal justice professionals by blending academic theory with real-world experience. His teaching emphasizes ethical decision-making, practical application and a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system.
