Anytime, FRiend. When I took the job, I told the chief that I wouldn't take part in any strictly for-revenue-generation activities, nor would I participate in any type of heavy-handed, "I AM the law" type of enforcement.
Police are SUPPOSED to be there to "Protect & Serve" - which is why I do this work 3 shifts a week even though I really don't need the salary (but the insurance is nice). Since I am too old to serve in the military again, I feel this is a way to give something back to the Nation that I love.
I hate cops that have a J-Billy-Badass attitude more than I hate most non-violent criminals. I have on numerous ocassions reported/cited other officers for policy infractions and traffic violations. We ARE the "thin blue line" that often separates the innocent from the predators, and I hate to see it when one of us becomes one of those predators or worse; a jack-booted Gestapo agent.
I've never understood the concept that a good cop was expected to defend a bad cop just because he was a cop too, no matter what he did. I'm not referring to actions that are taken in the heat of the moment in a violent situation that may have been handled differently and better if your life wasn't at risk. I am referring to deliberate bad acts.
The more that attitude prevails, the more bad cops there will be and the tougher your job will be.
Thank you. May God and the good guys always have your back.
Hats off to you!
Just curious, how many younger officers in your department or that you are otherwise aware of share that sentiment?