My partner and I are both classified as Shit-Magnets on our shift (Definition courtesy of Raindog).
We find: fires, drunks, warrants, fights, assaults, missing persons who we are not assigned to look for, drugs, weapons, break & enters in progress, drivers without licenses, unregistered vehicles and anything else you could care to name.
It is to the point where if I am driving and say "Hey, look at this...", my partner will intentionally look the exact opposite direction and say "Where!? I don't see a thing! You'd better keep driving!" I of course reciprocate when the tables turn.
But we always cave, turn off the blinders, and pinch the dum-dum.
He says I care too much about doing a good job, and tells me "That's why you're gonna be a good cop. You'll be a good cop, but I'll be a happy cop."
He doesn't like to admit that he cares just as much.
Over time I've learned it would have been better to be a happy cop than a good cop. But I don't think we get a choice in that.
ReplyDeleteThe real issue is the cops who are both miserable, and do a terrible job. Never fun to have on the shift. We are currently staffed with a winning crew.
ReplyDeleteI've heard it said many a time by senior officers that the two biggest things that can determine your quality of work day are:
1. Your partner
2. Your Sergeants (we don't have LT's in our ranks)
I have a great one of each.
@ LT: I am determined to be happy to do a good job. If I am reading you accurately, I imagine you are the same.
Yes, I'm driven to perform and I am also happy, but sometimes I wish I were the personality that would have had fun remaining a patrol officer for a career. I think they get to have the most fun :)
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