Before I became a cop, I thought poverty, racism, bad neighborhoods and substandard
schools were the reasons young men failed to succeed in life. Then I joined the police
department, hit the streets and immediately got mugged by reality: I was wrong, the media
were wrong, my professors were wrong and the politicians were wrong. Why? From my first
day on the job I was meeting young men from the poorest of homes in the worst of neighborhoods
who were honest, intelligent, respectful and destined for future success. I also
met just as many young men who were born into wealthy homes, in wonderful neighborhoods,
who had no respect for their parents, abused alcohol and drugs, were opportunistic
thieves, and ended up in the back seat of my patrol car on a regular basis.
It didn't take long before I discovered that it was the fathers--yes, the fathers; they
were the single most important factor in determining the future success or failure of their
sons. What can you do to become a good dad, or maybe even a great dad? Teach your
son. Teach him valuable life lessons about faith, honesty, love, courage and other important
virtues. Teach him about God, teach him about Angels and teach him about you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Curtis S. Ostrander holds a B.S. degree in Public Administration
from the State University of New York. He is also a graduate of the F.B.I.
National Academy, Quantico, Virginia. During his almost 30 years of police service
Curtis served as a patrol officer, detective, swat team leader, and Chief of Police.
He was later employed by Cornell University where he served as Vice President
for Risk Management and Public Safety.
