Cops

In my previous life, I had to write brief statements for my boss (the Senator) who could not attend some sort of an event or another. Usually, I would write the words, get my supervisor to approve the remarks, then go to the event and read them on behalf of my absent Senator.  

One time, I read some remarks at some sort of police function. It was an opportunity for me to recognize the tough job that cops have, and how much we (the Senator and the Oregonians he represented in the US Senate) appreciate them.  

After I read the remarks (which no one usually listened to, because I was just a staffer), and the other formalities of the event were done, a cop came up to me during the mingling and asked me if I used to be a cop. A little surprised, I said, no, but that my brother was a cop, and that I had worked with a lot of cops as a Senate staffer. He observed that the remarks I read made him think that I knew what it was like to be a cop.  

Cops have an impossible job. In their capacity of law enforcement officers, theirs is to largely interact with the dregs of society. The people who feel they can do what they want to whom they want, and no one can stop them. When the cops show up,  the crims are in many cases ready for a fight.  

In their capacity of peace officers, people call them up to help resolve a disturbance in a home, and seemingly all sides fight them every step of the way when they arrive.  Every time they pull someone over for speeding or some other traffic infraction, there’s a good chance they’ll get grief for it (in the best-case scenario). The worst-case scenario is that they might get shot at or run over. They never know.  

To deal with this, many have to flip a psychological switch in their minds – the “toughen up” switch, just to get through the day. Just to keep an even keel as they deal with fights and arguments, and non-cooperation from every call they answer, every stop they make, and every law they enforce. Sure, there’s the periodic “thank you” from a citizen, or a high five from a kid. But that is the exception, not the rule.  

Have any of you worked in a job where your boss/co-worker/or customer fought you at every step, questioned your every move, hounded you for doing what you know to be the requirements of your position?  

I have, and it sucked. It was miserable. For self-preservation, I had to build up a psychological wall to keep things together. And it was nearly impossible to switch it off when the workday was done. If you’ve had similar experiences either at work or in abusive relationships (which can require a similar need for self-preservation), then I suspect you, along with me, have an inkling of what it’s like to be a cop.  

The people you are trying to serve and help are fighting you every step of the way. Dealing with that is tough enough. Then, at the end of the workday, try switching it off and having a normal family life with the people you love the most. I suspect most people can’t do it.   

The remarkable thing is that the men and women who go into law enforcement usually know these types of challenges are part of the package. And they do it anyway! It takes a special sort of person to make that kind of sacrifice.  

Thank a cop.  

(There may those who read this who are acutely aware of the bad apples in the law enforcement bunch. You’re right. There are folks who aren’t so noble in the profession - the ones who get into the business because they want to boss people around as opposed to those officers who want to help. Well, Jesus had his Judas, George Washington had his Benedict Arnold, and the vast majority of cops have their traitors to their profession. Don’t curse them all. Just curse the traitors.)