In the United States, there are 17,985 police departments. Undoubtedly, everyday a similar scenario plays out – a well dressed young man or woman enters a small, almost uncomfortable well lit room. On one side of that room is three to seven police officers of various ranks. On the other a single chair. This scenario is a police applicants oral interview board. Over the course of what seems like an eternity, one question is almost guaranteed to be asked – “Why do you want to be a police officer?”
The answer is almost predictably the same – “I want to help people”, or some variation of this. Is it true? I am a firm believer it is. Not just by my own anecdotal experience from how I analyze myself, but even from the officers I work with day after day, month after month, and year after year. With the rare exception of the officers who are about to retire; or as we say in the business “retired on duty”, every officer I have ever met ultimately wants to help their communities. And as far as those retired on duty, they are still not bad officers, they tend to just be at the end of their careers, and like most people in that situation, just ready to hang it up and let the next generation take over.
We also have to be honest though. Law enforcement has a perception problem. As a Police Psychiatrist, Dr. Troy Rogers put it in a TED Talk, society really only has two views of police – that of a super hero, or the polar opposite – that of a super villain. But why? Is it the media? Is it bad cop movies and television shows. I would certainly argue this plays a major factor. I would also assert as police officers, sometimes we are not very good at advertising the good for community’s we do as well. And to be completely honest – I’m guilty of this to a fault.
I’m not a psychiatrist – although I did stay at a Holiday Inn once. No really, I’m not, and the Holiday Inn part is true. I have no idea why as public servants are so adverse to talking about the good we do. I can only surmise it arises out of our sense of duty. For anyone reading this who may not know any public servants personally, I’ll tell you this, we all share one universal truth about this type of work – we see it as a calling. It is the type of work you must have a deep desire to do. In fact, this is a belief I feel so strongly about, I have a general rule that I never push people into applying to be a police officer. I will certainly help those along the way if they decide this is the career they want, but I will not push them if they lack that calling. In my experience, those without the desire for this career don’t make it for long.
Lets face it, most cops make between 40k to 60k a year – we are not in it for the money. Our schedules are ridiculous, which is something i’ll address in a future post. We are often the political pawns of both sides of politics. And oh yea, we often encounter dangerous people. In the end, we still see it as a calling, and we still want to help people.
Again though, we have a perception problem. People see us in their worst, and its often hard for them to associate the good we do when we issue them a speeding ticket, or when they, or someone they know, is being arrested for a crime. What they don’t see is the conversations we share everyday with regular people, listening to their problems and trying to find solutions to improve their lives. They don’t see the person who is down on their luck who we give a ride to, or maybe purchase a meal for. They don’t see us pleading with the domestic violence victim to please cooperate with an investigation so we can help them by arresting and charging the abuser.
Now, I know what you’re thinking, but Badge, I saw that story on the news of the cop helping that guy. You’re right, you did. And in the comments of that story you’ll see several comments stating something to the effect of “I wish all cops were like this.” Here is the secret, for the most part, we all are.
The catalyst for this post, and why I see it being so important is an event which happened to me the other day. See, I work in a fairly small town, and I happen to live in this town as well. While I love protecting the community for which I am a part of, it does present a small issue. It’s not uncommon for me to see people for which I have arrested when I’m off-duty. The other day I went to the grocery store to pick up a few items. In the checkout line I noticed a clean cut young man who I didn’t recognize. This man, who we’ll call Brian. Brian turned to me and say hi, and in kind, I said hi, back. I didn’t realize I have met Brian before. I arrested Brian several months prior for possession of methamphetamine and attempting to pass a counterfeit bill. As Brian and I conversed however, he quickly reminded me of this. He then did something unexpected – he shook my hand, and told me thank you.
Brian explained how that event changed his life. He was now clean and sober. He was attending NA meetings and was staying with close family for support. He was clean cut, and looked healthy – a sharp contrast from when we first met. And he was now gainfully employed. Our conversation was short, but impacted me deeply. It was a stark reminder as to why I do this job. Why I may issue that ticket, or make that arrest.
You may see this post as self aggrandizement – it’s not, as my experience is not unique. I would challenge anyone reading this to do something. Find an officer and talk to him. Talk about the weather, talk about sports, and talk to him about the job. See him, or her, as a person, not a uniform and a badge. Ask him about why he does this work, and what he would like to see to help fix the community. Advertise the things you see police doing that are great for the community – yes people need to know the good things police are doing. Together we can bridge this disconnect and showcase the good police are doing all over the country.
Shield273 