Guest Blogger - Patrolman Paladin - "police insight, like it or not"

Quick intro: I have been a police officer for 15+ years and in the field of Criminal Justice for 20+.  I too don't care what you call me, just don't call me late for dinner (or breakfast or lunch).  My close friend, at my job prior to being hired as a cop, asked me why I wanted to be 5-O and I told him "I just want to help people".  I hadn't thought about that answer to his question until he asked me, and I didn't remember that answer until he reminded me years later.  But I digress.

First things first.  When first approached by John Q Police in an email, I thought I would blog about current events.  But after much thought, I decided to offer insight in to the altered mind of a pig.  The things that we talk about, the things we complain about, the things we do on an every day basis, etc, etc.  The first subject is "what not say to PO-PO ".

When you get pulled over by the man, don't ask, "what did i do" or "why are you puling me over"?  Instead, put your hands on the steering wheel, be respectful, and know that 99.9% of the people pulled over in this great nation are pulled over because they broke a law.

When you see a flat foot meandering around and you have a chance to engage him/her, don't ask, "what are you guys carrying... 40's, 45's" or "do you know Officer Jones"?  Chances are we don't want to talk about our firearm with a complete stranger and we know the 10-50 guys we work with.  A "good morning" or a "how are you" is a fine greeting.  Chances are if you are not staring at us with a growl, or spitting at the ground when we look at you, or saying "I smell bacon" when you see us, we'll take the simple kind gesture.

When you have a question for a trooper or patrolman (trooper = state police/ patrolman = local police), don't say, "can I ask you a question?", because you just did.  It may sound minimal, but when you hear this question over and over and solve problems all day/week/month/year long, most times you don't have the option to say, "no, sorry, no questions today" because that's your job.

Lastly, when you see a lawman's car running with nobody in it, and get perturbed...there's something you don't know.  When we turn the car off... we shut off the computer/ camera/ speed timing device/ etc.. etc..  Do you shut your computer off every time you walk out of your office?  Do you go into your office in the summer and buckle down when it's 80-90 degrees, or in the winter take your jacket off and get comfortable in your chair in the 20's-30's?  Climate control people... we spend most of the day in that car/office.    

And before I sign off, Jason Q. Policehater, whether you're a criminal or close to one, I know one thing's for sure...  There are two types of people in this world, good and evil, and you are evil.  You are the reason why the fuzz were conceptualized in the Metropolitan Police Act of 1829.  I'm sure in a past life you got whacked by a truncheon or two.  AND, one day you'll eventually need one of us, and because we don't have the luxury to choose our clients, we'll help you despite your ignorance.

Anyway, I hope I didn't offend anyone (except Jason Q. Policehater), but this is just straight forward shop talk on a straight forward shop talk blog, from a beat cop, and it seems appropriate.  Stay tuned for more "Police insight, like it or not", if John Q Police will have me.    Thanks-  Ptlm. Paladin