Quote:
Originally Posted by suckbangblow
How did you decide to become an officer? Were there things in your life that lead you to being an officer?
Are you happy with the pay you receive?
Do you think if officers were paid more, you would have a better quality police force?
Tell us another good story. I like a good Cop story. Be it good or bad.
Also, thanks for your service. Is that right? I mean, it is a job, but you are serving your community...
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That's a great question, and thank you for the supportive words. I'm not one of those guys who played "
cops and robbers" as a child and dreamed about one day potentially dying for those that despise me.
That latter cynicism aside, it wasn't until my mid-20's that my interest in the field began to sprout. Initially I wanted to be an architect, but the father of a woman I dated nearly all of my 20's was a California Highway Patrolman who retired as a Lieutenant a few years ago; a month or two prior to the death of one of his daughters at the hands of a terrorist. HE, alone, was the impetus for going this route to serve and protect the public, and I'm thankful for his early influence in my life every single day.
California law enforcement is paid the highest in the country. Our respective unions fight for significant raises and our retirements are robust. I have absolutely no complaints. I don't think money is the driver; departmental morale is......and to a lesser, or equal, degree, laws that don't negatively impact our ability to do our jobs effectively. Certain laws create an environment where the motivation to make an arrest dissipates.....
rapidly.
...and as for the story, do you want to hear one with a positive/amicable ending or a negative ending?