It's Friday (again)...

Good morning everyone. Those of you who are up anyway. It's 0620 hours, on Wednesday and for me it's Friday. I'm off for the next three days and I can hardly contain myself. (My dad's coming to town) so bring it on, I'm ready for this day and all it's drama! I love Fridays because no matter what happens on days like this, I don't have to be the "police" tomorrow. I can be a regular civilian and pretend to have a normal life... if there is a such thing.

Although I still watch my back, people walking past me, look over my shoulders when I get gas, use the ATM and while in the grocery store. I also make sure that my doors are locked when I approached the intersections and there are young men trying to sell something or clean my windshields. It's sad to say that I use to be offended when the (white race) would be fearful of our young brothers in certain situations (metro, elevators, sidewalks, etc..) now I feel the same way at times. I guess it's my past 18 years in law enforcement and the number of young black males committing senseless crimes and carrying handguns. Their regard for your life has little meaning to them. Not to mention the fact that the justice system oftentimes is not as sensitive to the impact that these crimes have on society's sense of safety and the trust that we have placed in "them" to protect you and "me".

It's fun being the boss (sometimes)

My boss is out for a couple of weeks and I'm the big boss (of the office anyway). I miss being the little boss because I don't have to attend as many meetings. I am really behind on my work and you can stay all day and night if you'd like. As long as you get the job done! (Law enforcement is not for the weak at heart). I think if I didn't have to go home to Max, I'd probably work 16-18 hours per day. For now, you can either submit a slip for overtime or compensatory time and I'm single and healthy, so why not? One thing for sure, when my prince charming comes along, knight in shinning armor or "soul mate", it will be 8 straight hours and then I'm outta here! It's Sunday and I love Sundays. All the important people are off and I get to watch my spiritual speakers on Direct TV while I review the weekend crime reports. I usually visit my two senior friends but I've been so busy lately, that we've been communicating by phone. One I met as a result of a drug complaint about 12 years ago and the other was a victim of a violent assault about 5 years ago. I consider them both my grandmothers and they are always checking up on me. Imagine that ;-)

My other job

It's Saturday and I worked overtime today. Believe it or not I love it. Not just the extra money, but I'm actually forced to sit still for at least 6 hours and be with my thoughts and my bible.

I didn't get a chance to write yesterday. It's been a really long time since I've actually worked on a real Friday. Usaully, Thursdays are Fridays for me. (That's police talk) Anyway, it started with the usual 24 hour crime reports, conference calls and a meeting at headquarters. I was as prepared as I could be considering I found out about the meeting on Wednesday and I was off on Thursday. As frustrated as I am about my job at times, I know that in my heart, I will always care. I care about my coworkers, I care about being fair and most importantly, I care about the victims.

A day off...

It's weird, I took this day off to take Max to the vet. While I'm waiting to pick him up I thought I would clean the house. But after vacuuming, which is pretty exhausting when you're chasing dog hair from room to room, I found myself checking my departmental e-mail. It use to really stress me out and to some degree piss me off that you could come back from a day off and have about 70 of them. Of that amount about 5 are important. But that's just my opinion.

So my solution was to ease the stress and check them from home, that way when I got in there would only be about 25 new ones ;-) If I was lucky. I tell you, once you become involved in law enforcement, it becomes embedded in your brain. Crime, meetings, deadlines and memos constantly invade my cells trying to take me away from what I truly love. It's challenging but nothing I can't put up with for another 6 years or so, right GOD?

It's Wednesday and I'm tired...

Today is going to be a long one. I know that "this too shall pass", but right now I really need a boost. I've already had my "on the way to work" cup of Dunkin Donut's coffee. I don't know about you, but coffee doesn't keep me energized or give me a pick me up. I guess like anything else, after a while you become immune to it.

I'm scheduled for a very long crime briefing today and I know there will be tons of questions, comments and dialogue over stuff that at the end of the day, won't change the fact that tomorrow we have to do it all over again. Is is me or does it seem simpler on Law and Order? Wish me luck! But then again, who needs luck when God is in your corner? Change that, to BRING IT ON, I'M READY!

This is a journal about my life as a police officer. Although this was not the career I dreamt of, it's too late to turn back now. So with less than seven years to retire, I've convinced myself that I can still make a difference. Please pray for me and my fellow sisters and brothers in BLUE.