Mama take this badge off of me....

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

For some of you on this board that knew me, I’ve kind of kept you up on what it was like being a police officer. I’ve had some good times and some bad, but now it’ll be over as of the end of this month.

I have done much soul-searching and looking at myself in the mirror over the past six months. I didn’t mind the low pay and the odd hours so much as working with several people that I felt, IMHO, shouldn’t be wearing a badge, making life and death decisions that affected fellow cops and the general public. One was virtually night blind, a few more were in such bad physical shape (overweight, couldn’t run, failed self-defense classes) I called attention to that and was ignored.

I saw some of my fellow cops ride the workmens compensation gravy train because of some made-up, bullshit injuries and ailments. They got put on light duties (read: M-F, weekends/holidays off, filing papers) while the rest of us pulled their slack. I called attention to that and ran up against entrenched civil service laws that protected people like this. I didn’t think that was right, voiced my opinion, and fell afoul of the clique that felt we should always protect our brothers and sisters in blue, whether right or wrong.

I called attention to abuses of using police authority for private gain. By now, it was like I didn’t even exist. I had support of the majority of my fellow officers that tried to keep on an honest keel, but the guys I have been referring to have a lot more civil service seniority that I have, so nothing happened.

The bottom line was my last performance evaluation that gave me an equal rating with some of these same people, even though two of them weren’t even active patrolmen.
I keep myself in good shape, even working up to training for my first triathlon this fall. Apparently this is not really a factor in this department. Tenure in civil service system is. :rolleyes:

I’m not bitter, I still believe that there are a lot of good cops out there doing what we are supposed to do–“Protect And Serve”. They will be always in my thoughts and prayers. The ones that I have mentioned above have nothing but my utter contempt for violating the trust of the people that star symbolizes.

Bottom line was that I thought about my family. I want to coach T-ball and Little League for my sons and be there for the parent-teacher meetings and other activities. I didn’t want to sleep the weekend morning away coming off the third watch anymore. I want to watch cartoons with my kids and teach them how to make chocolate chip pancakes. I feel bad because I loved, and didn’t mind the sacrifices I made as a police officer until now. I feel a lot of sadness over what I am choosing to do, personally, but my family has to come first. Deep down, I think what I’m doing is right.

I was offered a great job in the private sector doing something that was not police-related in any way-- information systems management. I pocketed a few job skills for a rainy day while I was still in the military. I had the qualifications, loved the benefits and performance bonus packages, career enhancement programs and pay, and I looked longingly at the Mon-Fri daytime schedule with weekends and holidays off. I have to wear a shirt and tie everyday, but it beats strapping on Kevlar body armor, including the shock/trauma plates.

I turn in my badge in a few weeks. A part of me will always be a police officer, but it’s time to move on. I’ll miss the adrenalin rush of a real good call and the camraderie with honest, hard-working police officers that you will never find anywhere else due to the nature and experiences, trials and hardships that we faced together.

On 3 Aug, I am 10-98 (Completed Last Assignment) for the final time.

2

'Luck with it all, pal! You did your part for that time in your life, and family is hardly an insignificant consideration. Just my thoughts (now I’d better get to work).

Maybe you’ll be able to yak at us a bit more often now?

3

Bluepony,
I just wanted to say that that was a very heart-wrenching post. I wish you all the luck/fun in the world as you get ready to settle down with your family and your new job.
It’s really a comforting thought that, although you may be far from me, there are “men in blue” (and women too!!) that are as honest and protective of us as you are. It’s sad that they may be few and far between, but your post makes me realize that they still do exist.

Good luck!! Enjoy your “new” life!!!

4

Hee-hee
I think so, Beatle. Last week during my tour of the office area at my new job, I looked at the computer on my desk area. Took a peek at the desktop, noticed the little blue Internet Exploder “E” just winking at me, clicked it on, entered a few little words on search and voila!

–The Straight Dope Message Board

I think I’m gonna like this job. :smiley:

5

Best wishes Bluepony, I’m sure your family will enjoying seeing more of you.

Abby

6

thanks Abby and Skerri,

FWIW Skerri, there’s a lot more of us out there than the bad ones. The problem is that all it takes is one or two bad ones to bring about disgrace and dishonor to this profession. Sad to say, but it’s true.

7

Wow, what a decision to make. It’s good to know that there are men like you, honest, loyal and hard-working, still on our forces. I understand the issues that made you give it up though.

Good luck in the future. Just think, now you’ll have more time for the Board! :smiley:

Honestly, I’m sure you’re family is going to love having you home more and in a much safer profession.

8

First of all, BluePony, I’d like to thank you for your initial decision to serve and protect society. It takes brave people to uphold the laws that keep us safe, and I have the utmost respect for anyone who chooses to do so.

Secondly, I’d like to congratulate you on your decision to leave at the right time. You’ve got good reasons, but mostly I feel that policing is a job that takes total dedication, and if you don’t feel you can do the job well for any reason, including the ones you’ve given, then it’s best to get out. The cops you were referring to in your OP probably started out with good intentions, but stayed long after they were actually useful as policemen.

But I’m really glad this is real life and not the movies. 'Cause in the movies, as soon as a cop announces that he’s going to retire, you know something awful is going to happen. So, I’m glad this is reality.

But just in case… be careful this next few weeks.

9

BluePony, being military myself, I understand the sacrifice. That understanding does fall short of putting your life on the line daily, wondering if some mutt is going to take your life.
My wife is also putting her notice in where she works, for very similar reasons to yours, so I do understand the soul-searching you have done.

Good job, mission accomplished. Although you are not an officer in my community, Please accept my heartfelt thanks, and as sharp a salute as I can render, and pass my thanks and appreciation to your family for their sacrifices over the years; they also suffer, who watch and wait.

Larry

10

Bluepony, my best friend is a cop, and I often hear things like this from him as well. Luckily, he’s involved in training new additions to the force, so I know he’s steering rookies in the right direction. It’s sad that there are just enough bad apples to spoil the public’s perception of the police, and it can’t be an easy decision, when you know you’re one of the good ones, to let it go. Good luck to you in the private sector!

11

Bluepony, that was a very insightful OP, and pointed out some of what I think is wrong with our society as a whole. I deeply admire you for your military and police service. Having a grandpa who was a cop, I was raised that all cops are good people and never to be feared. However, I have seen in recent years more and more of the type you describe, to my deep sadness. Fortunately, as you said, those types are still in the minority.

I am proud of your service to your country and your community, and to your family for their loving devotion and steadfast faith that enabled you to do what you have done. I know the future will be bright for you, and that you will not regret too much this decision to leave the force. Take care of yourself, and I look forward to seeing you more often on the boards.

{{{{{{Bluepony}}}}}}

12

Thanx for the hugs Purplebear. I think I’m gonna be all right. Today was an off day for me and I stopped off at the local community college to see a friend who was teaching the Law Enforcement Academy program for new hopefuls. The group I saw was bright and eager, so full of enthusiasm. It took me back 23 years ago to my first days at the Air Force military police school at Lackland AFB, Texas. This is a great generation of kids and they’ll hit the ground running. Like that old Irish prayer, I hope the roads will always rise to meet them and the wind be forever at their backs.

pl, I’m glad your best friend is deciding to give to the rookies all the benefits of his experience. I wish sometimes that I could’ve found it in me to teach the rookies. One gal was a real go-getter, fresh and eager to hit the Florida Highway Patrol Academy. She had just finished 4 years as an Army military policeman. I had a good talk with her and my friend. When I left, I gave her my Saint Michael’s medal that I kept pinned to my body armor. I figured I’ve used up all of St. Michael’s patience and forebearance the past few years. I think it recharges again when you hand it off to a new cop. Hope it protects and guides her for her beat.

Don’t worry, I ain’t gonna take chances my last few weeks on the road. I’m probably just going to say good-bye to some real cool people I’ve met while on the road. I’m even gonna miss the regular kooks and loonies, god knows they were good for a few laughs along the way!

13

I really admire your decision, ** Bluepony ** most of us decide to spend more time with our families when it is already too late.

Your city is losing a wonderful policeman though, and I feel bad for that, but then again, it seems a shame that mediocrity is tolerated to such an extent, that it discourages the very kinds of officers that make a city proud.

BTW, I love the Claptonish thread title, very cool, so like you!

Good luck, and if you’re going to change your handle ‘Bluepony’…might I suggest ‘Coach’??

14

Bluepony, I’m just glad you’re here.

You know that you have always been one of my all-time favorites here. I was honored to have been the one to announce the birth of your last child, and thrilled when you chose to make your return in a thread I started.

But in the long run, I’m not important. It’s what you said in your OP that matters. The wife and kids. Sure, Florida is losing a fine officer. But your wife will have her husband, and your kids will have their dad. I don’t blame you one bit. Not one little bit.

I wish you all the best in your new career, my friend. And kiss the family for me, okay? :smiley:

Love, Cristi