A Policeman is a composite of what all men are, mingling of a saint and sinner, dust and deity. Gulled statistics wave the fan over the stinkers, underscore instances of dishonesty and brutality because they are new. What they really mean is that they are exceptional, unusual, not commonplace. Buried under the frost is the fact: Less than one-half of one percent of policemen misfit the uniform. Thats a better average than youd find among clergy! What is a policeman made of? He, of all men, is once the most needed and the most unwanted. Hes a strangely nameless creature who is sir to his face and fuzz to his back He must be such a diplomat that he can settle differences between individuals so that each will think he won. But...If the policeman is neat, hes conceited; if hes careless, hes a bum. If hes pleasant, hes flirting;if not, hes a grouch. He must make an instant decision which would require months for a lawyer to make. But...If he hurries, hes careless; if hes deliberate, hes lazy. He must be first to an accident and infallible with his diagnosis. He must be able to start breathing, stop bleeding, tie splints and, above all, be sure the victim goes home without a limp. Or expect to be sued. The police officer must know every gun, draw on the run, and hit where it doesnt hurt.He must be able to whip two men twice his size and half his age without damaging his uniform and without being brutal. If you hit him, hes a coward. If he hits you, hes a bully. A policeman must know everything-and not tell. He must know where all the sin is and not partake. A policeman must, from a single strand of hair, be able to describe the crime, the weapon and the criminal- and tell you where the criminal is hiding. But...If he catches the criminal, hes lucky; if he doesnt, hes a dunce. If he gets promoted, he has political pull; if he doesnt, hes a dullard. The policeman must chase a bum lead to a dead-end, stake out ten nights to tag one witness who saw it happen-but refused to remember. The policeman must be a minister, a social worker, a diplomat, a tough guy and a gentleman. And, of course, hed have to be genius....For he will have to feed a family on a policemans salary.
Posted on: Sat, 23 Aug 2014 14:51:10 +0000