After slightly more than a decade of policing a major city, I have changed. I note at the outset that not all of these transformations please me. I look at people — just about all people, differently now. Some of the good guys don’t seem so good; some of the bad guys a bit less evil, and the line between the two is more blurry than ever.
And there is me. I am different now, too. It happens, I suppose, to many professionals. Lawyers, doctors, firefighters, soldiers all see their fellow humans through a slightly distorted lens. However the police officer brand of this distortion seems to be particularly intense, with great consequences (some good, some not so good) that shape our world view long after the end of our watch.
My mission here is unapologetic and simple: Education and understanding. The vast majority of cops do excellent and heroic work in the vast majority of situations. Sometimes we fail. In either case, I think police incidents are often misunderstood, misrepresented, and unfairly characterized. Hopefully we can work on that together. I expect many readers will not agree with many things that I say. I know that not all of my posts will please you. Let’s talk about those.
In the end, we can learn something from each other. Welcome.
So true! I did a dozen years plus in an aussie state pol dept – got injured on the job & discarded by the same dept for the work induced injuries/illness! Changed my viewpoint forever on life & those who make decisions for others.. Keep up the good writing, just found your blog.
Eric,
Thanks for the comment. I have seen so many cops here hit the same way. It has been a hot topic lately. Hope you are doing well, and keep up the good fight!
Thanks for your reply – if you have any links or forums etc on the hot topic – I will only be too pleased to wade in! Best regards.
Experience will change anybody’s perspective. Period. Sometimes when we realize the change that has taken place over time, it surprises us. Often the change is so gradual it isn’t realized for a while. Then, all of a sudden, you look at where you are now, realize where you were then, and say, “Shit! I’ve come way further than I thought I had!” I guess I just exemplified that… I typed before I looked to see what rules of language might apply here. My apologies! Yet language is one aspect of a cop’s life that is a fact, isn’t it?
Me – I spent a decade or so doing about everything from dispatching and being communications supervisor to working the road (both nights and days) to investigating to criminal intelligence. Loved it all. Now in medical field, but still commissioned officer trying to provide some educational services as well as homeland security-type counterintelligence stuff they don’t have the budget to pay a full-time officer for.
Spending time in the medical profession will change one, as well
Being a cop was a particular blessing for me. It was one job that, more times than not, I could wake up and say, “Hey! I get to go to work today!” rather than “Dammitall, I have to go to work today!” That in itself is no small blessing!
More later as I read and catch up on the blog here and elsewhere. Thanks for putting up this blog – it’s a neat one, and I hope it helps folks understand.
406, OUT