As much as I fancy myself a philosopher, I am frequently reminded that what really excites me is being a cop.
Since my own blog description predicts I will be talking about my “…decade of policing,” I have decided to post (almost) daily the observations that stick to the fly paper in my head. Many will be from last night’s shift; others might be from years ago. I hope you find they continue to change the way we each look at policing. That remains my global mission. Here goes.
My First Observation: Over 10 Years Ago…
One of the first things I ever remember considering “as a cop” was how kids looked at me. I love kids, so I always looked and cooed and smiled. Before I was a cop, and to this day if I am out of uniform, they would generally look back, cry, or do nothing at all.
When I try this in uniform, kids light up. They giggle, laugh, and point. How cool is that? For years I have been carrying little stickers and badges and toy police cars for the occasion. Nothing makes my day like, “MOMMY! The police man gave me a real badge. LOOK M-O-M-M-Y!”
Sadly, after about 17 years, the smiles turn into middle fingers, and the chants are somewhat less — umm — adorable. Sigh.
But hey, smile at that uniform, little ones…you might just be staring down the philosophical cop.
Oct 2, 2007 at 4:31 pm
I get the same smiles as I walk through my apartment complex with my probation shirt or jacket on. Kids love it. If I had stickers, I’d give them some.
Unfortunately, I have to deal with those 17 yr olds who stick the middle finger up at law enforcement. Working at Juvenile Hall is a test of patience, to say the least.
Keep up the good work. The kids who are excited about seeing the likes of us in uniform probably won’t be throwing obscenities at us later in life. Let’s keep as many of them on our side as we can.