Why
Are We Cops?
We’re not sure we can tell you WHY we are
cops;
It sure as hell ain’t for the money!
We work week-ends, and nights, and
overtime shifts,
And we laugh when things aren’t really
funny.
We hate all the trouble, the wrestling,
the fights:
They ALWAYS tear up a NEW shirt!
There is no man alive that can make us
admit
That that kick in the ribs really HURT!
We minimize pain, and are often heroic;
We’re comforters, advisors, and clerics;
We enforce the laws our society makes,
Which drives some people into hysterics.
We try to be fair, but stand firm for the
right;
We are spat on, called names, and abused;
But when the shift's over, at the end of
the day,
We don’t whine that we’re being ill-used.
We may serve a career and not draw a gun.
Or, with SWAT, serve some real high-risk
warrants;
We may get a good tan in the Malibu sun,
Drive pursuits with rain coming in
torrents;
We shed real tears for a mistreated child;
We give up time off for a charity;
We work the night shift and spend mornings
in court:
Sometimes, seeing OUR kids is a rarity!
We handle collisions; we recover remains;
Face armed robbers; pursue stolen cars;
There’s domestic disputes; bomb threats;
narcotics;
Lost children; knife fights in bars.
When we get a “hot call”, and it makes the
late news,
And our friends see us on their TV,
We say of the story, “Yeah. I was there…
But that ain’t how it happened to me!”
We ask for no thanks, and we get none;
Satisfaction is all we can cadge
When “Deputy Sheriff – Los Angeles County”
Are the words that are writ on The Badge.
Sergeant Daryol
Forinash, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s
Department (ret.) enjoyed a 32 year career
in law enforcement. His contact information
is available through the editor.