Failure

I had an encounter go South on me today. Tried to get a burglary suspect cuffed up and it went downhill from there. The unit I was backing up on another stop was about 200 feet away and didn't get involved until I had lost control and the suspect was already fleeing down the street. This is the same officer from January 29, 2010. Go ahead and take a look at that post, I'll wait.

The officer in dispatch said it sounded like one of us got murdered from the fight being transmitted intermittently. He called the next city(who was looking for the suspect) and they sent almost every unit they had to help. Too little, too late. It was just more cops to witness my failure and embarrassment for not getting the guy. At least I got them his name and description. They're familiar with him and will pick him up eventually.

Still, I've never had one get away like that before. How depressing.

My, what big balls you have

I found out that someone that my department deals with often has made it known he wants to bludgeon one of us to death. He plans to do it while we're off duty.

Time to start being more alert. Weapons are all cleaned and oiled. I'm not looking forward to punching any one's ticket but I will if I have to.

Holiday stats wrap up

• Two attempted suicides
• Two trespass/unwanted person calls
• One alcohol related call

No too bad for an 8 hour shift.

Thanks...I think

When fighting with a suspect, the last thing I ever thought I would hear after drawing blood was "Whoa, stop. Be careful. I've got Hepatitis B."

Bouncing checks

I've heard it all - Wait until these cuffs come off, take the badge off and we'll settle this, I'm going to find you and fuck you up, I'll find where you live, I'll kill your family, I'll rape your mother, You'll get yours, You're dead...the list goes on infinitely.

In most places, saying any of the above will earn you extra charges. Not in my jurisdiction. The prosecutor's office throws them out every time with orders to stop "padding the arrests." In other words, I'm your punching bag.

Luckily most of the people who share these feelings with me are cowards. A few try to make good on the promises and end up beaten. They don't run their mouths much after they've had their asses handed to them. Still, I don't skimp on precautions.

All the threats are documented in my reports and a copy is filed away in my own personal cabinet. If the day comes that I have to double tap some shithead, I'll have my proof for any court cases, civil or criminal.

I take different random routes to and from work. Sometimes I drive different vehicles. I'm always aware of who is behind me. I'm never without or far from a weapon. This offends members of my extended family because they live in their little shells, refusing to believe there is evil in the world. As a result, I don't get many event invitations.

But by all means tough guy, if it makes you feel like more of a man, keep writing checks your butt can't cash. I'm going to keep doing what I've got to do and living my life, even if it means ending yours.

Worry

In the past week, I and my shift mates have come close to using deadly force on a few occasions. Despite the rise in violent activity, the Chief has refused to hire overtime and continues to run us at mandatory minimum shift coverage, often only two guys on. We've had to request mutual aid from the nearby city once, and it took three of their units in addition to our two to get things under control.

The icing on the cake, in this instance, is that the Chief was overheard saying that we "were over-reacting," suggesting that if things do take a turn for the worst, we're going to be hung out with no support from his office.

If you're gonna die, die with your boots on

The call came out as Officer needs assistance and I was the primary unit responding. Other units were on the way, but I was close and would beat them there by what seemed like hours. I don't recall passing vehicles or intersections. It was all a blur. The only thing that stuck out was that I could hear the tires squealing over the echoing sound of my siren blaring as I gunned the engine through corners.

From the moment my feet hit the pavement the fight was on. The guy was smaller than me, but in much better shape and obviously stronger. I didn't hesitate and I wasn't afraid. I jumped in head first landing several blows before he turned his attention to me.

I don't remember hearing other officers arrive. My shoulder mic dangled from the radio near my knees, knocked off within the first seconds. I didn't know help had arrived until other arms were grabbing the guy I was wrestling with. I was suffering from a severe case of tunnel vision.

He was back on the street before the report was finished. Thank God for our overly liberal (in)justice system that gives more rights to the bad guys than the good.

Muscle memory

As I've mentioned previously, midnights is usually ultra quiet. You can't find trouble to get yourself into, no matter how hard you look. I guess it's not a bad thing for the residents, but for those trying to pass the time, it's painful.

The other night we got a call of a guy bleeding trying to stab some folks with a pair of scissors. Myself and my shift mate roll out there and see the bloody guy swinging wildly at another guy, scissors in hand.

Both of us have him at gunpoint, and bloody guy tosses the scissors, then jams his hands into his pants pockets. He came very close to meeting his maker in that instant. Luckily for him he pulled his hands out and reached for the sky quickly.

Proned and cuffed him while the other officer covered, which kind of skeeved me out. I've got this slight phobia of contracting a disease from some dirtbag's blood.

Fast forward to the report writing phase of the night and I starting replaying the whole situation in my head. I couldn't remember making the decision to draw my weapon and I don't know if I had my finger on the trigger. I don't remember holstering it either. I do remember it happened fast, but while it was happening, it seemed like the world around me ceased to exist. It's hard to explain, but I'll be willing to be anyone whose been in a similar situation would know what I meant.

Anyway, I guess my point is it's reassuring that when the shit hits the proverbial fan, I don't needs to think what to do, I'll just react without hesitation.