I got that question asked of me a lot when I was a Detroit cop.
I always tried to reach down deep and give an honest answer. I mean down real deep. I wanted to explain it from the depth of my spirit. I wanted to share what was going on in my head, and in my heart and very soul every day.
I shouldn't have bothered. Unless you put on the badge and strap on that gun, you just don't get it. You can't relate to it from the movies because Hollywood puts its self-serving spin on it like everything it touches. Television over hypes it for the ratings, while politicians, social "activists" and social studies professors have made law enforcement a dirty word (or two).
I'm sure every cop has his or her own story to tell. And every big city cop has some really juicy ones, especially if they have been on the job a couple years and got out onto the street in uniform. I have listened to the reminisces of other cops from around the country and from the DPD especially. After a while, whether it is the raunchy humor or the gut wrenching anguish, all our stories start sounding alike, even though we all have different ways of telling them.
Every now and then someone really does have a unique spin. Like my friend Jack Loshaw. Jack was a Detroit Police homicide detective who became an ordained minister. His very good book describes his attempts to reconcile the darkest side of humanity with his return to Jesus. It's a good read. You can find Motown Murders and Ministry on Amazon by clicking on the cover below.
If you like your cop stories with a bit of history, check out Robert Haig's Ten Little Police Chiefs, A Detroit Police Story. Bob tells of his assignments, adventures and misadventures by associating them with the many police chiefs who passed through the department. Through his many episodes, Bob gives great personal insight into how those "leaders" impacted policing for better or worse throughout his decades of service to the City of Detroit. You can find Bob's book on Amazon by clicking on the cover below.
So, when my friends and family suggested, "Dude, you should write a book!" I thought I had no unique stories to tell, especially given how well others tell theirs. I still feel the same way. But for the sake of my grandkids and for the sake of maintaining historical accuracy, I decided to jot down a few memories of my own police years, the sixties and seventies.
Keep an eye on these blogs. Stop by every now and then. I may just decide to drop a short cop story or two on you. If you enjoy them, I may add more.