Work Matters

Tag: Cops

  • Civilian Friends vs Police Friends: From Captain Nick Gottuso

    Nick SWAT
    I just got
    this missive about cops from Captain Nick Gottuso, a Police Department Captain in Hillsborough, California.  Nick is also one of the Commanders of a SWAT
    team composed of about 50 officers from local police departments on the San
    Francisco Peninsula, and heads up their sniper squad.  You can see him above, in full uniform beside
    the SWAT truck. Nick was the coach on one of my daughter’s soccer teams and I
    get to know him as I was an assistant coach — he is a great guy.  

    Nick is also a great shot.  I once asked him why some of the coins on his
    key chain had bullet holes in the side rather than middle, and wondered if he
    had missed. He answered that he had put the bullet on the side because it made
    it easier to get on the key chain.  Nick
    loves his job as much as anyone I know. 
    And you can understand why when he tells about the things he
    does, like being involved in hostage stand-offs, and the smaller but important
    things he does every day.  For example, he was
    involved in catching a thief who stole something from one of my colleague’s
    houses. 
    Because I
    know Nick, and how much he loves and identifies with his job, I was especially
    struck by this note he sent around (the origin is unclear, I’d love to give
    credit to the person who wrote it, so if you know, please chime-in).

    Let me know what you think. Here is Nick’s preface: "For those of you who are Cops, you
    will find this very true. For those of you who aren't… this gives you a
    little insight as to why we are, the way we are.    ”

    Always a
    Cop:

    Once the badge goes on, it never comes off,
    whether they can see it, or not. It fuses to the soul through adversity, fear
    and adrenaline and no one who has ever worn it with pride, integrity and
    guts, can ever sleep through the 'call of the wild' that wafts through
    bedroom windows in the deep of the night.

    When Cops
    Retire

    When a good cop leaves the 'job' and retires to
    a better life, many are jealous, some are pleased and yet others, who may
    have already retired, wonder. We wonder if he knows what he is leaving
    behind, because we already know. We know, for example, that after a lifetime
    of camaraderie that few experience, it will remain as a longing for those
    past times. We know in the law enforcement life there is a fellowship which
    lasts long after the uniforms are hung up in the back of the closet . We know
    even if he throws them away, they will be on him with every step and breath
    that remains in his life. We also know how the very bearing of the man speaks
    of what he was and in his heart still is.

    These are the burdens of the job. You will still
    look at people suspiciously, still see what others do not see or choose to
    ignore and always will look at the rest of the law enforcement world with a
    respect for what they do; only grown in a lifetime of knowing. Never think
    for one moment you are escaping from that life. You are only escaping the
    'job' and merely being allowed to leave 'active' duty.

    So what I wish for you is that whenever you ease
    into retirement, in your heart you never forget for one moment that 'Blessed
    are the Peacemakers for they shall be called children of God,' and you are
    still a member of the greatest fraternity the world has ever known.

    Civilian
    Friends vs Police Friends


    CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Get upset if you're
    too busy to talk to them for a week.
    POLICE FRIENDS: Are glad to see you after years,
    and will happily carry on the same conversation you were having the last time
    you met.

    CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry.
    POLICE FRIENDS: Have cried with you..

    CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Borrow your stuff for a few
    days then give it back.
    POLICE FRIENDS: Keep your stuff so long they
    forget it's yours.

    CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Know a few things about you..
    POLICE FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct
    quotes from you.

    CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if
    that's what the crowd is doing.
    POLICE FRIENDS: Will kick the crowds' ass that
    left you behind.

    CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Are for a while.
    POLICE FRIENDS: Are for life.

    CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have shared a few experiences.
    ..
    POLICE FRIENDS: Have shared a lifetime of
    experiences no citizen could ever dream of…

    CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will take your drink away when
    they think you've had enough.
    POLICE FRIENDS: Will look at you stumbling all
    over the place and say, 'You better drink the rest of that before you spill
    it!!' Then carry you home safely and put you to bed…

    CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will talk crap to the person
    who talks crap about you.
    POLICE FRIENDS: Will knock them the hell out for
    using your name in vain.

    CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will ignore this.
    POLICE FRIENDS: Will forward this.