I hate any situation that involves me and a police officer.  I am a law-abiding citizen.  I don’t even like to hold guns.  I don’t speed (often). I know the laws.  I am a rule follower.  I believe that rules are there for a reason…

…and yet most encounters I’ve had with police officers have been unsettling at best… and confrontational at worst  (Never confrontational on MY part… but I have dealt with some “unnecessarily” rude police officers for what I feel is no reason.)  Even when they’re cordial, they are often snide and condescending.

I don’t like situations where I have to deal with police…

…but I wouldn’t have it any other way.  Thank you for being that way, officer… and I understand why you are.  Thank you for protecting me, my home, and my family.  Thank you for being the type of person that OTHERS don’t want to confront and deal with either.  Thank you for being aware.  Thank you for being on guard.  Thank you for noticing when a seemingly tranquil situation may not be so tranquil at all.

I think people who are GOOD at their jobs often choose the profession for which they are most suited.  I know a few police officers in “real life.”  Some were former students.  Some I’ve just met along the way… and they all have that swagger… that bravado… in and out of uniform.  I contend that they have to.  Every police officer has to believe every single time they confront an individual that their life is on the line.  If they don’t believe that, they could end up getting hurt.  People AROUND them could end up getting hurt… and if you’re not a little bit of a jerk to begin with, no one is going to feel intimidated by you.  Police officers are there to SERVE and protect.  Sometimes you may not like the way that they’re serving… but you’re fine when they are there protecting.    I’m not “buddies” with a whole lot of police officers.  Their personalities don’t mesh well with mine, but I definitely still respect and understand what they’re doing.

Granted, there are a few rotten apples out there who make the rest look bad.  BUT not every teacher is trying to seduce her students, not every CEO is committing fraud, not every doctor is guilty of malpractice.  We can’t judge the profession based on the WORST of the profession.  I still believe the rogue cop is the exception, not the rule…

But I do believe that it takes a certain personality to be a police officer.

I think the same can be said for ALL who are good at their profession.  There is something in a person’s personality that makes them suited for it.  I also know a lot of salespeople… You know, that slick “Whatever you want to hear” attitude… where you’re never quite sure if they are sincere, or if they are always trying to sell you something.  Doctors with the god complex… the whole idea that they can fix ANYTHING… and CONSTANTLY look to get to the bottom of the problem but are so annoyingly “right” even when they’re wrong…

The teachers… with the “teacher voice” even in public.  The feeling that they’re constantly trying to teach you some sort of lesson.  The teachers in school shootings who try to reason with gunmen and who are more concerned about getting kids out of the building than they are about their own lives??  That’s because it’s the personality trait of someone who chose to be a teacher.

Professional athletes always think that they should be the one with the ball… that they are the one who can win the game…

And combat soldiers are taught to hate and to follow orders without question… because they have to.

My heart is broken by dumb thugs, criminals who think they’re making some kind of “statement” by killing people who are just doing their job.  The very same officers who are shot and killed in the line of duty would protect their assailants every other day of their lives.

I don’t think it’s fair to ask for kinder, gentler officers…especially when sometimes kind and gentle doesn’t get the respect it needs to protect lives.

Thank you, officers, for your service.  And when you pull me over and yell at me to keep my hands on the wheel and lecture me and make me feel inferior… I’ll remember WHY you are acting the way you do…  and I’m so sorry for all the brothers and sisters you have lost.