Since I am not technically a police officer as of December 5, 2009 I have changed my blog title. I will take suggestions on a better title, but as of now it is the best I could think of in 20 seconds.
My next item to speak of is my sabbatical I will be taking. I am venturing into a new career which means that I will not have access to this blog for pretty much half a year. Now I know you are saying "He hardly writes on here anyways!" So at least I have conditioned the 2 readers I have to long periods of waiting on my every word.
Seriously though, I am excited for the upcoming change. It will be tough and at times I am sure I will hate it, but it is for the betterment of my family and that is all I can ask out of life. I say farewell to the blog world for 6 months (or so) and look forward to seeing you on the flip side.
In case any one is wondering I start on December 6, 2009. I am leaving my current city of Indianapolis on 12.3 to go spend a few days with my wife in D.C.
Thank you for reading my "Cop's Perspective". Think of new titles and I will try and post when I can, and about things that are on my mind.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
New Adventures
Tonight is my last day of work at the Louisville Metro Police Department. I am writing from my MDT while waiting for time to pass. I cannot believe how fast 4 years has gone by. It is amazing to think of the friends, stories, experiences, excitements, and craziness that I have seen in the short time I rode the street. I would like to think I am the same person, however I know this to be untrue. From changing my mentality and outlook on society in the academy, to change related to the real life that most of us (including myself)will, or would, never see.
I am still amazed at how some people live their lives. It is sad, angering, and unbelievable how people will treat each other, especially those that they are supposed to love and care for most. Life, from what I have learned with this "life style" (what a cop calls their career), is a precious gift that can be taken at any time. It amazes me that people feel they have no life or way out. It amazes me that people are so small minded and selfish. And it amazes me that people are really as stupid as they are. Police have become the scape goats for parents with their children. They have become social workers, parents, and crutches for people who, because of one reason or another, never learned to be an adult and are raising children who will never be adults. I do not know where society is going, and am not sure I would want to live in this society if the small percentage I deal with becomes bigger or more prominent.
That it is more negative than I expected. Though I have a skewed view on a portion of society, my experience has been great. I would not change the past 4 years of my life for anything. I would love to stay a cop for my whole 20 year career. My friends and peers are like family that I would do anything for. There is nothing that can compare to the excitement, fear, and experiences one shares as a police officer with another officer. The camaraderie of a platoon is second to none. You learn to trust your partner with your life. Both parties can tell what the other is thinking without saying a word. One look, or nothing at all, and both of you know what needs to be done. The jokes, the laughter, the humor at the expense of some citizens cannot be explained, and sometimes should not be explained. As negative as I made the profession sound in the last paragraph, words cannot explain the positive experience, fun, and enjoyment that I have had.
There is no other experience, or profession, that can claim to relate or give experience to what being a police officer is. It is more than a job, it is a "life style." Hoping for excitement and a chance to have some fun, all while hoping it is not going to cost you your life or safety. It is an extension of a family. Once you are a cop, you are always a cop. You stop being a regular individual in society. One acts and becomes a completely different. It is a necessity to deal, and survive, with the horrors and atrocities that are seen. It truly is a brotherhood that cannot be explained.
I will miss my fellow officers that I have come to respect and admire. I will miss the red and blue mixed with the sirens. Cussing people out as they become deers in headlights when I am trying to get to an emergency run. The thrill of hammering the throttle and driving the crap out of an "old man" car. Nothing I do will ever be the same as a police officer riding the street. I am looking forward, and cannot wait, for my new career to start. But a piece of me will always remember and yearn for the excitement of a first responder.
I know none of them will read this, but; To all the officers I have worked with I wish you health and luck. Thank you for letting me share in a part of the most wonderful experience and profession of being a police officer. I hope that I have made your lives easier and little bit more enjoyable. Be safe, and remember the most important thing is to go home safe and in one piece every night. It truly was an honor to know and work with all of you.
I am still amazed at how some people live their lives. It is sad, angering, and unbelievable how people will treat each other, especially those that they are supposed to love and care for most. Life, from what I have learned with this "life style" (what a cop calls their career), is a precious gift that can be taken at any time. It amazes me that people feel they have no life or way out. It amazes me that people are so small minded and selfish. And it amazes me that people are really as stupid as they are. Police have become the scape goats for parents with their children. They have become social workers, parents, and crutches for people who, because of one reason or another, never learned to be an adult and are raising children who will never be adults. I do not know where society is going, and am not sure I would want to live in this society if the small percentage I deal with becomes bigger or more prominent.
That it is more negative than I expected. Though I have a skewed view on a portion of society, my experience has been great. I would not change the past 4 years of my life for anything. I would love to stay a cop for my whole 20 year career. My friends and peers are like family that I would do anything for. There is nothing that can compare to the excitement, fear, and experiences one shares as a police officer with another officer. The camaraderie of a platoon is second to none. You learn to trust your partner with your life. Both parties can tell what the other is thinking without saying a word. One look, or nothing at all, and both of you know what needs to be done. The jokes, the laughter, the humor at the expense of some citizens cannot be explained, and sometimes should not be explained. As negative as I made the profession sound in the last paragraph, words cannot explain the positive experience, fun, and enjoyment that I have had.
There is no other experience, or profession, that can claim to relate or give experience to what being a police officer is. It is more than a job, it is a "life style." Hoping for excitement and a chance to have some fun, all while hoping it is not going to cost you your life or safety. It is an extension of a family. Once you are a cop, you are always a cop. You stop being a regular individual in society. One acts and becomes a completely different. It is a necessity to deal, and survive, with the horrors and atrocities that are seen. It truly is a brotherhood that cannot be explained.
I will miss my fellow officers that I have come to respect and admire. I will miss the red and blue mixed with the sirens. Cussing people out as they become deers in headlights when I am trying to get to an emergency run. The thrill of hammering the throttle and driving the crap out of an "old man" car. Nothing I do will ever be the same as a police officer riding the street. I am looking forward, and cannot wait, for my new career to start. But a piece of me will always remember and yearn for the excitement of a first responder.
I know none of them will read this, but; To all the officers I have worked with I wish you health and luck. Thank you for letting me share in a part of the most wonderful experience and profession of being a police officer. I hope that I have made your lives easier and little bit more enjoyable. Be safe, and remember the most important thing is to go home safe and in one piece every night. It truly was an honor to know and work with all of you.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Fear
First of all, for those wondering, my car was in the shop because it is a piece of shit. It has 77000 miles on it. Which, to be fair, is like 150000 citizen miles. But my car has been through 4 transmissions, 3 catalytic converters, and some other crap. Most of the problems I inherited from the officer who had it before me, who decided it was a good idea to drive the car through a flash flood and didn't make it. So long answer for a short question, it was having another transmission put it as well as fixing some other minor problems, which still are not fixed.
As far as the scariest moment. This is a tie amongst all the times that I have had to pull my gun out on someone. It is not that I am afraid to fire, or take a life. The fear comes from knowing what it means, or what the gun can do. I say fear, but what I mean is awe of the power that really cannot be controlled. I am in control of the weapon, in control of my actions, but I can not predict what the individual or individuals that I have to pull it on are going to do. There are so many unknowns, and that is scary.
Case in point. The most recent, was a home invasion I had to go on. My self and 3 other officers got a call from an 8 year old girl hiding in a closet, because masked men came into her house and took her mom, brother, and sister hostage. Quick story. The 8 year old called the police from the closet. We responded, saw the two men with guns pointed at the heads of the family members. We later found out that the individuals were about to duct tape their mouths and kill them (according to the family, which I believe could of happened). We had to breach the door. I already had my gun out, obviously, but for a split second after you unholster, you can not help but think "Is this really happening?" "What is coming next?" Then something triggers your instinct and training. In this case it was "drop the gun, drop the gun!!!!!!" from a fellow officer (to suspect 1). We got both of them without incident, like most cases.
What usually occurs is training and action without thinking of what is occurring. It just seems to trigger what you are to do next and progress through the motions. After the incident is when you reflect on what just occurred and what it truly means. Usually everyone sits around and talks about what happened. That is when the adrenaline is still flowing and it sinks in, a few small changes in the event and life would be a whole lot different. The fear I feel is not debilitating fear, but conscious respect of the power of what I might have to do and what a weapon is used for. As stated before, I have no problem with profession and what I am called upon to do. That being said it is still one thing to be prepared for what you have to do, and when it actually happens. I pray I never have to use my weapon on another human being, but I am prepared to do so. There is no greater exhiliaration and no greater fear in the same moment than when an officer unholsters their weapon and their senses hit super drive.
As far as the scariest moment. This is a tie amongst all the times that I have had to pull my gun out on someone. It is not that I am afraid to fire, or take a life. The fear comes from knowing what it means, or what the gun can do. I say fear, but what I mean is awe of the power that really cannot be controlled. I am in control of the weapon, in control of my actions, but I can not predict what the individual or individuals that I have to pull it on are going to do. There are so many unknowns, and that is scary.
Case in point. The most recent, was a home invasion I had to go on. My self and 3 other officers got a call from an 8 year old girl hiding in a closet, because masked men came into her house and took her mom, brother, and sister hostage. Quick story. The 8 year old called the police from the closet. We responded, saw the two men with guns pointed at the heads of the family members. We later found out that the individuals were about to duct tape their mouths and kill them (according to the family, which I believe could of happened). We had to breach the door. I already had my gun out, obviously, but for a split second after you unholster, you can not help but think "Is this really happening?" "What is coming next?" Then something triggers your instinct and training. In this case it was "drop the gun, drop the gun!!!!!!" from a fellow officer (to suspect 1). We got both of them without incident, like most cases.
What usually occurs is training and action without thinking of what is occurring. It just seems to trigger what you are to do next and progress through the motions. After the incident is when you reflect on what just occurred and what it truly means. Usually everyone sits around and talks about what happened. That is when the adrenaline is still flowing and it sinks in, a few small changes in the event and life would be a whole lot different. The fear I feel is not debilitating fear, but conscious respect of the power of what I might have to do and what a weapon is used for. As stated before, I have no problem with profession and what I am called upon to do. That being said it is still one thing to be prepared for what you have to do, and when it actually happens. I pray I never have to use my weapon on another human being, but I am prepared to do so. There is no greater exhiliaration and no greater fear in the same moment than when an officer unholsters their weapon and their senses hit super drive.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
WOW
First of all I cannot believe that it has been 6 months, practically 7 since I have written on here. Mainly because work picked up over the summer months. I have been trying to get a new job, and both of them required me to travel extensively on my off days. And one final excuse was that my car has been in the shop for 2 months and I have not had my computer to write on when I get bored working.
So I will try and think of some of the good stories that we have had over the summer. And on top of that I was wondering if any of my loyal 3 fans have any questions or stories they would like to hear? Ask me something you have always wanted to ask a cop, I will do my best to answer it, and do so truthfully.
So I will try and think of some of the good stories that we have had over the summer. And on top of that I was wondering if any of my loyal 3 fans have any questions or stories they would like to hear? Ask me something you have always wanted to ask a cop, I will do my best to answer it, and do so truthfully.
Monday, March 9, 2009
By A Nose!!!!
With Derby around the corner and the latest incident I had the privilege to make I thought the title was appropriate. There is a run of an injury accident two males down from a single motorcycle incident. Obviously we think "this might be pretty good", yes we are just that sick. We get in the area and come to find out the motorcycle is in a 7 foot ditch next to the road. One guy is sitting next to the bike, the other guy crawled out and was sitting next to the road. I looked at the guy in the ditch as EMS was trying to get down to him and saw blood all over him and something flapping near his mouth, but it wasn't his mouth. He was conscious and alert but extremely drunk. Apparently he and his buddy had been drinking at the bar down the road. They got on the bike and were too ignorant and drunk to realize a train was going across the tracks and cars were stopped in front of them. I would of loved to have seen what happened next. The driver just veers left and goes straight into the ditch. The passenger, not as drunk as the driver,sees what is coming and jumps off the back of the bike. He still winds up in the ditch, but with only a leg injury. THe driver however, holds onto the bike and face plants into the visor of the bike. What looked like a flap from far away was his nose.
Take a horizontal piece of plastic and slam it into the bridge of your nose. Make it go all the way to your skull (we could see bone) and there you have it to mouths. He and his buddy kept asking how he looked, to which we replied "you look "phucked" up". We had a good ol time with these dumbasses. Learn from this that drunks are like cockroaches, you can never kill them and they keep coming back. Another item to point out is that it was like a train wreck. It was gross but we kept having to take another look.
I LOVE THIS JOB!!!! FOR REAL!!!!
Take a horizontal piece of plastic and slam it into the bridge of your nose. Make it go all the way to your skull (we could see bone) and there you have it to mouths. He and his buddy kept asking how he looked, to which we replied "you look "phucked" up". We had a good ol time with these dumbasses. Learn from this that drunks are like cockroaches, you can never kill them and they keep coming back. Another item to point out is that it was like a train wreck. It was gross but we kept having to take another look.
I LOVE THIS JOB!!!! FOR REAL!!!!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Stuck On You!!!
Most people think cops do what they do for the safety of the community. Most cops think they do the job for the excitement. But in reality we do the job for occasions that transpire like tonight.
I went on a run tonight because a woman broke a partial denture. Instead of just paying to have it fixed she tried to self fix. She used super glue to attach the denture inside her mouth. She ended up glueing her tongue to the roof of her mouth and the cheek to her teeth. To top it off she had had her hands glued to her lips, but was able to rip those off before we arrived. To top it off this was not the first time she had done such an act.
My advise to those of you out there. If more than two EMS or Police show up at your request for help you have done 1 of 2 things. Either you have committed a heinous act and we want to see it, or you have done something so ignorant that we cannot believe it unless we see it (essentially we want to laugh about it for the next 2 weeks, and see if we can get each other to laugh at the scene with jokes without alerting the person who was stupid enough to give us such enjoyment.) Take that as fair warning.
I went on a run tonight because a woman broke a partial denture. Instead of just paying to have it fixed she tried to self fix. She used super glue to attach the denture inside her mouth. She ended up glueing her tongue to the roof of her mouth and the cheek to her teeth. To top it off she had had her hands glued to her lips, but was able to rip those off before we arrived. To top it off this was not the first time she had done such an act.
My advise to those of you out there. If more than two EMS or Police show up at your request for help you have done 1 of 2 things. Either you have committed a heinous act and we want to see it, or you have done something so ignorant that we cannot believe it unless we see it (essentially we want to laugh about it for the next 2 weeks, and see if we can get each other to laugh at the scene with jokes without alerting the person who was stupid enough to give us such enjoyment.) Take that as fair warning.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
A Day in the Life....
So here it is...I will preempt this by saying that if there are questions from my 3 loyal fans, by all means hit me with them.
My shift runs from 3 in the afternoon (1500) to 1 in the morning (0100). That being said I have to start getting ready for my shift around 1400. It takes me that long to get all of my stuff on and to get my mind ready to work. It is a completely different mental state at which all cops have to be in. If you do not prepare yourself you can get hurt, your partners can get hurt, and you could shocked and surprised at half of the stuff we see. I have 45 pounds of equipment that I have to wear all the time. It sucks in the summer because we do not have a summer uniform, you can imagine the heat and sweat in 100 degree weather.
Once I am finally ready I drive to the division for roll call. At this time we sit around and listen to our Sergeants list off important information that has occurred, information we might need for that evening, and where we are riding (patrolling). This is also the time where we all sit around and joke with each other for about 15 minutes before we start dealing with the public. This is only time I see half of the platoon that is working, since our division is so large.
We sit at roll call and wait for a run to start off the day, this can take anywhere between 1 minute to an hour. It all depends on the weather and a full moon. Once we get that first run it is on. Most of the runs that we have to deal with are ridiculous and have nothing to do with police work. However, with the onset of a "community oriented police department" all calls to the police are answered. Most calls, even if I wanted to do something, I can't. I have no authority in civil issues, which really pisses people off. I have come to realize that I deal with adults who are children. It is amazing how I deal with the same individuals repeatedly in different areas of my beat. Once a shithead always a shithead. BUt that is a different entry.
It is important to discuss the mindset of a cop on duty. We are taught to expect the worse, pay attention to everything, and always prepare to fight. This basically means that we have to anticipate a fight, react quickly to numerous stimulus, and have in the back of our minds that we would have to take a life. People do not see a person, they only see a badge. This is part of the reason for the mental exhaustion I feel at the end of a shift.
With this mind set I am expected to perform numerous functions. In between answering calls for service I am expected to be looking for criminal activity. I am also expected to handle suspicious persons, traffic violations, disorderly situations, and conflicts that affect the peace. At each type of function there are a different set of rules, standards, and processes that I must follow, understand, and implement. I balance the rights of citizens, the rights of a community, and expected to act in a split second with issues that can ripple a lifetime.
It all breaks down to: riding around looking for crime and disorder, resolving potential problems in my beat, knowing who and where the problems are on my beat, restoring peace, being a deterrent, offering a presence of safety to residence, and being a face of the local government to citizens in the community.
While riding on duty I am expected to do all of these activities. In between I have to eat, which obviously is important. I do not get a lunch break so most times I have to eat while enroute to a location. I have actually eaten a hamburger, fries, and drink while traveling code 3 (lights and sirens) at 100 mph. It is rather exhilirating.
A quick example of my routine day, and the wide range of mental states occured the other day. I had made a bunch of stupid runs, where people were arguing over stupid things such as why the rain run off went in their yard, or why their neighbors were aloud to breath. A couple of us decided to go eat, after I ordered and we were joking around enjoying the time away from the public I get an emergency run. A guy got stabbed in the eye. The story ended up being straight white trash, but I had to immediately change mental status to prepare to use force (after all you don't bring a knife to a gun fight), I had to run to my car (with no dinner), I had to navigate through traffic code 3 (people get really ignorant when they see blue and red lights), assess the scene for safety, let others know where the suspect was, alert EMS of the status of the victim, set up crime tape, and get information and statements. THat is all with in the first 5 minutes. THen I had to hold the scene and wait for the detectives. I ended up being out on the run for 3 hours, of which 2 minutes was excitement. I ended up being able to eat at 2200. Then after I finally cleared for the rest of the evening I had to make more stupid runs and a lot of paperwork. I went from flat to extreme adrenaline and excitement and back to flat. This is what most police work entails in one form or another.
At the end of my shift I drive as fast as possible to get home. Mainly so I can see my wife, if she is still up. I have to bath every night I get home just to feel normal again. I am always afraid I am going to bring a disease, virus, or chemical home that is going to hurt my family. I can't even kiss my wife before I shower, cause I feel dirty and I don't want her to have to deal with it. I finally am able to fall asleep about an hour after my shift, if I am lucky and my adrenaline is not in overdrive. I usually have to wake up early the next day to go to court and then start all over again.
My job is rewarding, fun, exciting, boring, mundane, and scary. I ride around not knowing what to expect, but have to expect it. I believe this is where the notion that police are assholes come from. Granted we are sometimes, but most of the time we are so used to most individuals we deal with cussing us out, spitting on us, fighting us, or arguing with us that it is a facade we use in order to combat this type of behavior.
Policing is very misunderstood, and unless you have been a cop you cannot understand it. We have to deal with the scum of the earth, see horrors that t.v cannot replicate no matter how great graphics are, smell the smells and see the filth people live in (and raise children), wonder if today is the day we get hurt (or worse), be a face of strength and protection, and still have a normal life outside of our job. Being a cop is not a career or a job, it is a lifestyle. It is very difficult to adjust not only in my mental state from day to day activities, but dealing with ordinary people, my wife and family, and social arenas. I no longer take things for granted.
I love my job, it is probably the only thing that I could do and be happy. But, it is very difficult to explain. No one can understand what this job entails unless you walk in our shoes. I will say this, if you have an opportunity to ride with an officer you should do it. It only gives you a glimpse of the life, but one you will not forget.
My shift runs from 3 in the afternoon (1500) to 1 in the morning (0100). That being said I have to start getting ready for my shift around 1400. It takes me that long to get all of my stuff on and to get my mind ready to work. It is a completely different mental state at which all cops have to be in. If you do not prepare yourself you can get hurt, your partners can get hurt, and you could shocked and surprised at half of the stuff we see. I have 45 pounds of equipment that I have to wear all the time. It sucks in the summer because we do not have a summer uniform, you can imagine the heat and sweat in 100 degree weather.
Once I am finally ready I drive to the division for roll call. At this time we sit around and listen to our Sergeants list off important information that has occurred, information we might need for that evening, and where we are riding (patrolling). This is also the time where we all sit around and joke with each other for about 15 minutes before we start dealing with the public. This is only time I see half of the platoon that is working, since our division is so large.
We sit at roll call and wait for a run to start off the day, this can take anywhere between 1 minute to an hour. It all depends on the weather and a full moon. Once we get that first run it is on. Most of the runs that we have to deal with are ridiculous and have nothing to do with police work. However, with the onset of a "community oriented police department" all calls to the police are answered. Most calls, even if I wanted to do something, I can't. I have no authority in civil issues, which really pisses people off. I have come to realize that I deal with adults who are children. It is amazing how I deal with the same individuals repeatedly in different areas of my beat. Once a shithead always a shithead. BUt that is a different entry.
It is important to discuss the mindset of a cop on duty. We are taught to expect the worse, pay attention to everything, and always prepare to fight. This basically means that we have to anticipate a fight, react quickly to numerous stimulus, and have in the back of our minds that we would have to take a life. People do not see a person, they only see a badge. This is part of the reason for the mental exhaustion I feel at the end of a shift.
With this mind set I am expected to perform numerous functions. In between answering calls for service I am expected to be looking for criminal activity. I am also expected to handle suspicious persons, traffic violations, disorderly situations, and conflicts that affect the peace. At each type of function there are a different set of rules, standards, and processes that I must follow, understand, and implement. I balance the rights of citizens, the rights of a community, and expected to act in a split second with issues that can ripple a lifetime.
It all breaks down to: riding around looking for crime and disorder, resolving potential problems in my beat, knowing who and where the problems are on my beat, restoring peace, being a deterrent, offering a presence of safety to residence, and being a face of the local government to citizens in the community.
While riding on duty I am expected to do all of these activities. In between I have to eat, which obviously is important. I do not get a lunch break so most times I have to eat while enroute to a location. I have actually eaten a hamburger, fries, and drink while traveling code 3 (lights and sirens) at 100 mph. It is rather exhilirating.
A quick example of my routine day, and the wide range of mental states occured the other day. I had made a bunch of stupid runs, where people were arguing over stupid things such as why the rain run off went in their yard, or why their neighbors were aloud to breath. A couple of us decided to go eat, after I ordered and we were joking around enjoying the time away from the public I get an emergency run. A guy got stabbed in the eye. The story ended up being straight white trash, but I had to immediately change mental status to prepare to use force (after all you don't bring a knife to a gun fight), I had to run to my car (with no dinner), I had to navigate through traffic code 3 (people get really ignorant when they see blue and red lights), assess the scene for safety, let others know where the suspect was, alert EMS of the status of the victim, set up crime tape, and get information and statements. THat is all with in the first 5 minutes. THen I had to hold the scene and wait for the detectives. I ended up being out on the run for 3 hours, of which 2 minutes was excitement. I ended up being able to eat at 2200. Then after I finally cleared for the rest of the evening I had to make more stupid runs and a lot of paperwork. I went from flat to extreme adrenaline and excitement and back to flat. This is what most police work entails in one form or another.
At the end of my shift I drive as fast as possible to get home. Mainly so I can see my wife, if she is still up. I have to bath every night I get home just to feel normal again. I am always afraid I am going to bring a disease, virus, or chemical home that is going to hurt my family. I can't even kiss my wife before I shower, cause I feel dirty and I don't want her to have to deal with it. I finally am able to fall asleep about an hour after my shift, if I am lucky and my adrenaline is not in overdrive. I usually have to wake up early the next day to go to court and then start all over again.
My job is rewarding, fun, exciting, boring, mundane, and scary. I ride around not knowing what to expect, but have to expect it. I believe this is where the notion that police are assholes come from. Granted we are sometimes, but most of the time we are so used to most individuals we deal with cussing us out, spitting on us, fighting us, or arguing with us that it is a facade we use in order to combat this type of behavior.
Policing is very misunderstood, and unless you have been a cop you cannot understand it. We have to deal with the scum of the earth, see horrors that t.v cannot replicate no matter how great graphics are, smell the smells and see the filth people live in (and raise children), wonder if today is the day we get hurt (or worse), be a face of strength and protection, and still have a normal life outside of our job. Being a cop is not a career or a job, it is a lifestyle. It is very difficult to adjust not only in my mental state from day to day activities, but dealing with ordinary people, my wife and family, and social arenas. I no longer take things for granted.
I love my job, it is probably the only thing that I could do and be happy. But, it is very difficult to explain. No one can understand what this job entails unless you walk in our shoes. I will say this, if you have an opportunity to ride with an officer you should do it. It only gives you a glimpse of the life, but one you will not forget.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Reminder to the Author
This is just a reminder to myself to write about my daily duties on the YOB!!! All of you that are not me can disregard this Post
5758
For those of you who care, my beloved car is back 10-8. May we not find ice in our near future together, for I fear we might not be so lucky next time.
Blue Blues!!!!
Not a very good title, but I had no other ideas. So as I sit here pondering life at 28, almost 29 (in 9 days, Damn I'm old) I can't help but think how boring being a cop can be. I love my job, it is exciting, fun, humorous, and enjoyable. I get to deal with people from all walks of life and have an impact on their daily lives, not in a sadistic way, but still an impact. What bothers me is days like today. It is freakin' cold out, and there is not a lot going on. One can only drive around in a circle so many times before going insane.
I bring this up just to articulate thoughts on being a cop. It is a great job, but can bore the hell out of you. Like my father said, who I believe heard from someone else "Policing is 98% boredom and 2% excitement (or fear)". I agree somewhat, but believe there is more humor, anger (at ignorance), astonishment (again at ignorance), and disbelief. I look at this post and realize I had no idea what I was writing about. I just had a thought and tried to make a post about it.
Anyways, on a completely different note, I would like to wish President Obama luck. Those that know me know I do not favor him. However, I will do what most republicans and democrats alike do not. I will back and support my, and our, president regardless of if I agree with his decisions. It is not my position to second guess his decisions or acts, especially since I do not have the information needed to do so. President Obama, good luck, may God use you as a tool to better our nation so that we may be a better example to the world and each other!!
I bring this up just to articulate thoughts on being a cop. It is a great job, but can bore the hell out of you. Like my father said, who I believe heard from someone else "Policing is 98% boredom and 2% excitement (or fear)". I agree somewhat, but believe there is more humor, anger (at ignorance), astonishment (again at ignorance), and disbelief. I look at this post and realize I had no idea what I was writing about. I just had a thought and tried to make a post about it.
Anyways, on a completely different note, I would like to wish President Obama luck. Those that know me know I do not favor him. However, I will do what most republicans and democrats alike do not. I will back and support my, and our, president regardless of if I agree with his decisions. It is not my position to second guess his decisions or acts, especially since I do not have the information needed to do so. President Obama, good luck, may God use you as a tool to better our nation so that we may be a better example to the world and each other!!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
The Chase is ON
So, I recently had an opportunity to call out a "failure to yield". It was another agency's pursuit (though that word is TABOO, I will use it for simplistic purposes). Since we needed updates on our radio channel I was the second car and was calling out what was going on. I have been in many a pursuit, but this one was fun. Not that the others were not, but this one was different. First off I tried cutting the individual off, but to no avail. Then we follow him for like 4 miles. We finally get him boxed in and he stops. I am making this very simplistic, if you want to hear the whole story call me. Eventually we get him out a gunpoint and he tries to tussle a little bit, which is completely assanine since there is like 12 police there. Finally he is handcuffed and put in the back of a car.
It was exhilirating and fun. To top it off I got some compliments on my pursuit presentation on the radio. Most officers get excited when some type of excitement occurs and you cannot understand what they are saying on the radio. Everybody stated I was calm, low pitched, and audible on the radio as if I had done a million of these. So that was a pretty good compliment from veteran officers. All in all that is what we live for as police. A little bit of excitement and bragging rights. It is too bad no one was riding along with me at the time. All the good stuff seems to happen when I am alone.
It was exhilirating and fun. To top it off I got some compliments on my pursuit presentation on the radio. Most officers get excited when some type of excitement occurs and you cannot understand what they are saying on the radio. Everybody stated I was calm, low pitched, and audible on the radio as if I had done a million of these. So that was a pretty good compliment from veteran officers. All in all that is what we live for as police. A little bit of excitement and bragging rights. It is too bad no one was riding along with me at the time. All the good stuff seems to happen when I am alone.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Voicing my sister's comments....
I too was caught by the stomach bug that attacked my whole immediate family. I must say I have not been sick like that since early high school. It was crazy...I ended up sleeping in my closet to be closer to the bathroom. But enough of that crap.
I also want to wish my Buckeyes luck tomorrow. I will be faithfully watching. I am disappointed I did not get to go, but that is the way it is. I forgot to check my other frequent flier mileage airline.
For those of you who read my blog, stay away from the stomach flu and O.H.......
I also want to wish my Buckeyes luck tomorrow. I will be faithfully watching. I am disappointed I did not get to go, but that is the way it is. I forgot to check my other frequent flier mileage airline.
For those of you who read my blog, stay away from the stomach flu and O.H.......
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