Law Enforcement’ s Missing Weapon: Creativity
March 2026 | The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine 33
Law Enforcement’ s Missing Weapon: Creativity
Detective Sergeant Ian Spohn, Hawthorne Police Department
Ever since we were children, an emphasis has been placed on creativity. Parents lauded our abilities to create and design. Educators gave extra credit and higher marks for work that delved deeply into the creative consciousness, rather than the pedestrian work of our peers. At all stages of our social and personal development, creativity has been a core skill that drives success and happiness— inventiveness and imagination equal innovation. Innovation is the catalyst for several successful revolutions that enhance humanity. We strive for and reward creativity in the private sector, as seen in companies like Google and Apple, in the limelight of Hollywood and Netflix, and in the educational system. Why has creativity never found a foothold in law enforcement?
We can delve into the obvious. Policy, procedures, and Attorney General guidelines all promote a robotic approach to how police officer’ s work. Adding the court of public opinion, politicians, and administrative / organizational demands, a police officer ' s job almost seems automated and mechanical. Is this robotic approach and framework good for the profession? Can we expect officers to consistently show up, day in and day out, despite the confines of predictable behavior in an unpredictable profession, and provide the best service to the public? Or dare we even say, be happy and stave off the malcontent of the disgruntled vet?
The missing element here is creativity. It ' s all but killed off in law enforcement. Creative license is a significant contributor to employee satisfaction across all professions. One may argue, " It ' s law enforcement, not artistry ", but that ' s the point. Police officers need two significant prongs to be met to carry out a 25-30-year career they can be proud of: the drive to make a difference and the ability to have fun doing so. Let ' s assume that every police officer wants to make a difference in keeping their community safe. That part of a career is always a fulfilling need throughout an officer ' s tenure. The major flaw is the ability to enjoy the profession and still have fun. Before we explore ways to instill the creative bug in a department, let ' s examine the modalities in which creativity actually feels enjoyable and satisfying.
Creative acts engage the brain ' s reward circuitry by releasing dopamine. When your brain rewards creative thinking, it reinforces the behavior, making it feel good. Additionally, the activation of reward circuits occurs when you land on a novel idea, solve a problem creatively, or " think outside the box”. Additionally, creativity can induce a state of flow. The benefit of being in a flow state, where there is deep immersion in the task and challenges are well-matched to skills, leads to proficiency that exceeds expectations. Flow is well documented in positive psychology. That " in the zone " feeling helps synchronize focus, muscle memory, and energy. Athletes often record personal bests or records because of it. Imagine if we could find a way for police officers to tap into their " flow ". Flow states have also led to faster skill development and retention, accelerating learning curves. In short, finding " flow " is a shortcut to greater productivity, enhanced problem-solving skills, and increased longterm fulfillment, as the overall satisfaction is higher, leading to mastery, progress, and purpose.
Another significant benefit of creativity is its direct link to positive emotions. Think of happiness, fulfillment, and curiosity, all of which improve mood and contribute to well-being. Creativity is closely linked to playfulness. Creating an environment where work is viewed as play is vital for the long-term health of both the employee and the organization. Creativity also gives employees a sense of agency. Creating something new fosters selfesteem, autonomy, and a sense of identity.