Hi all…
Thanks for the great conversations of late. It hit me yesterday: Who am I to decide what I should write about. So, if you have a question or an issue related to police work, cops, or anything evenly remotely related, simply place it as a comment to this post. I will be honest and upfront, as always. My plan is to make this a monthly post, so that you control direction of this blog. Take care!
Feb 20, 2008 at 8:49 am
Scenario: Night-time driving. Two-lane road. Pitch black night. I’m driving north. There is a car coming south towards me. He has his high-beams on. Is it okay to flash my high beams at him to remind him to dim his lights, or will that get me in trouble if it is an officer?
Feb 20, 2008 at 11:18 am
Just curious – what punishment do you feel should be dished out to drink drivers who cause fatal accidents? Is drink driving a problem where you are / is there a particular age group guilty of this?
Only asking because every “Cops” type show I’ve seen from the US has its fair share of roadside humiliation (known as a sobriety test?) followed by the breath test!
Personally I think they should be fined a huge amount of money and banned for serious time. I’d also be inclined to seize and crush their cars – but then I seem to be growing worryingly right-wing in my old age (still on the sunny side of 40)!
Thanks – great blog by the way!
Feb 20, 2008 at 11:21 am
Thanks for the questions guys. I will wait a day or so and then make up a post with several answers.
Talk soon!
PC
Feb 21, 2008 at 8:42 am
In a situation like you posted a few days ago–You are wrestling with a critter, you haven’t lost yet, but you aren’t winning. I come by, and I’m willing to help. What would you like me to do? Is it different if I am large or small, or if I’m legally carrying a concealed gun?
Feb 21, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Alright, you all asked for it! I am posting my “answers” just now…
Take care,
PC
Mar 8, 2008 at 11:20 am
Serious question here–
when the canines get killed in line of duty, do they have a special flag for them too?
Signed,
Dog Lover
Apr 22, 2008 at 7:14 pm
What kind of toll does being an officer take on your family? What’s your wife’s/kid’s biggest complaint?
Sep 3, 2009 at 11:43 pm
is the paper work hard? and is there a lot of paper work?
with the 8 hour shifts and all that i hear that its hard to find time to spend with your family is that true?
Sep 4, 2009 at 6:23 pm
There is a lot of paperwork. Policework IS paperwork. But that doesn’t mean it is necessarily hard. I think it is quite mechanical, meaning that once you learn how to do this or that type of report, they are pretty much the same.
The shift work is difficult, but not for the reason you state. Most cops these days work 10 hour shifts, and some work 12 hour shifts. That is good and bad – good because you have more days off, but bad because on the days you do work, there is no family time.
What makes the shifts hard is the 24/7 thing. As a new cop especially, you are going to work nights and weekends. I did so, and continue to rotate in and out, for over 6 years. Believe me when you work 4 or 5 overnight shifts in a row, it is hard to adjust back to day hours and be a good husband / boyfriend / dad. You are exhausted and cranky.
I think when you say “family” you have to know that it takes a special woman / man to tolerate this career for sure. The first 5 – 8 years are the worst. Then you can seek out positions within most departments that help with the schedule. I have friends who work MON through FRI bankers hours doing administrative jobs. That is a very common thing to ask for during the formative years of your kids’ upbringing. But that brings more paperwork and ZERO excitement.
Hope this helps, and feel free to email me at philosophicalcop@gmail.com if you have specific questions…
Dec 7, 2009 at 8:15 am
what is a typical day for a cop? . . .
i need this info asap cause im doing a projust on policing
thanks
from
Rebekah
Dec 8, 2009 at 10:16 pm
I can truly tell you that there is NO SUCH THING as a typical day for a cop, and that is why I love it so much! Be assured, however, that the usual day is much more boring than you might think.
Dec 7, 2009 at 8:19 am
oh and another question
you know the movie cars?
well the cop car in the movie has little spicks on the hubcap of the tire . . .
do you know what there for?
I’v always wondered about it
thanks
Rebekah <3
Dec 8, 2009 at 10:15 pm
I have not seen those. Can you send me a clip?