Re: In honor of DeputyDawg and BubbaCat
Heres a few thoughts from this side of the badge. Usually I won't say much for fear of sounding like I am complaining, which I am a little.<br />Your right about not knowing what is on the oter side of the door. We always get called down if we are too cautious on a traffic stop, but at night who knows who is in the car? We get called down if we take a suspect down hard because he pulls away, but what is his motive?<br />If someone runs from us in their car, we chase them. If they wreck it is our fault and we will be sued both department and eprsonally. If we don't chase them and they go do something to hurt another, we might get sued for this also. I have had people spit on me one day, the next call me for help. People complain if I drive too fast but complain if I take too long to get to them in their time of need. I have been attacked and assaulted, but when I use force to protect myself they whine and complain about brutatility. <br />One day sticks out in my mind. First I was sent to assist an elderly woman in her home, turns out she couldn't get a window shut. Right after I assisted with investigating a traffic accident where a baby was killed, drunk driver. When I left that I was sent to a domestic. The woman was beaten and bloody. I tried to arrest the male, he resisted so we fought. Me only being allowed to use enough force to restrain him and no more, the fight lasted longer than it should have. Wife then got mad I was arresting him and blindsided me. Finally got both arrested, then they said I was abusive when I called her a bi#!h after she jumped me from behind. I got back on the road and made a regular speeding stop and had to find it in me to be pleasant while I was being chewed out for writing a ticket instead of chasing "real criminals". Then a parent called me because of all else little Johnny wouldn't go to bed and it was late! Amazing how many of these we have to roll on! Then to end the night I changed a tire for a handicapped man traveling through.<br />All of these ups and downs in a 12 hour shift and I am supposed to be sane? All this for less than 24000 a year.<br />It is a proven fact that in the first 3 years of service an officer sees more human suffering than an average person sees in their lifetime. Makes sense, nobody calls unless something is wrong.<br />I know the pain of seeing death firsthand, holding a strangers hand while they die trying to calm them while knowing they are going. I know the pain of seeing the child abuse, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, the pain of taking a life (lucky not firsthand good friend and partner) and the joy of saving a life. I also know the nightmares from the close calls and from the abused childrens stories. <br />But I also know the joy of helping the old woman close her window, finding the lost child who wandered off in the woods, finding the lost bicycle and returning it to the child in tears, locking up many child molesters.<br />I also know the adrenaline rush of bustin down a door clearing a crack house, the 130mph vehicle persuits, wading into a crowd of 25 in a bar fight. <br />I know all of this which makes me a styronger person. I cherish my family and my life more than ever.<br />YES, I have to admit I have the best job in the world. I wouldn't want to do anything else. I can't wait to get to bed at night just so I can get up and do it all again.<br />Only wish the pay was better. 23,500 salery averaging 60 hours a week through the year stinks, but I am still very lucky!<br />I could go on for days, but no different than any other officer. Next time anyone badmouths an officer ask yourself, what ha sthat officer done today and who will I count on when I am in trouble.<br />Next time you see an officer at the dunkin doghnuts, think of where he might have just come from. Also remember that most people get coffee breaks during their day, we might not.<br /><br />Thanks for reading.<br />9501
