Well, I am currently a cop and do my best every day to stop crime, catch criminals and help those that need it. It’s a tough job because there are times where you are doing everything right and yet the outcome is not pretty. But I do my best to do right by everyone I come in contact with, and tread carefully with the authority I’ve been given.

However, I know good and bad police and have no tolerance for a bad cop. I’ve been personally responsible for ousting two bad cops in my department who I caught lying. Both were so wrapped up in getting the bad guy that they were willing to sacrifice their ethics to do so. So when I caught them in the lie it was reported formally and though the process was long (4 thick binders of information) they were fired. This blindsided us all, but both my peers and my admin hailed it as a victory to make us all a little better. It sucked, and I have to constantly remind myself that they were the cause of their own failures, but it was worth it. I’ve never once been outcasted or shamed for reporting them. In fact nearly everyone thanks me for it, especially after they read the investigations conclusion.

My point is, these organizations rely on good people to do the best they can. Right now we are desperate to hire cops because no one of quality wants to do it. My department has been scraping the bottom of the barrel to get applicants, but hasn’t hired anyone because they want to get genuine good people and not compromise our values. If more good people would apply, things could change dramatically nation wide. If it’s something you’ve always been interested you should think of the positive impacts you could make to your department and community.