Other side of Thin Blue Line
More times than not, you mention "cops" and a bad thing follows. A ticket, a fine, or sometimes an arrest. But more times than not, you were probably in the wrong, and that's usually what people in the wrong get. Like anything in this world, there is good and bad of the same version of things.
So a cop is no exception. I've had several experiences with cops were I'm an exceptional smartass, because I was right, but ended up losing because of how I acted. I've also, now that I'm older and can keep my cool a bit more, been in the wrong with cops, but thanks to being polite while they do their job, I've been let go free of tickets or citations.
I was asked to donate some time to an event for the police officers that lost their lives in the line of duty during the Dallas, Texas protests. I was promised plenty of food and a good time, and they delivered. They had a helicopter land in the middle of the baseball field for regular people like me to be able to see and take a look at inside.
They honored their fallen brothers and sisters before the flag football fundraiser tournament began.
Growing up, I would see a police officer as an indestructible person. Someone of power no mere mortal possessed. I would always wonder "what they were like" on regular days. Fast forward a few years, and a lot of my classmates from high school ended up becoming police officers. It really changes how you see these people. They're not mean. They're not "out to get you." They're just providing for their families while protecting ours as well. Granted, there are bad cops, and it would be silly, even for a good cop to say, that it's not true. But for a few sorry bunch to ruin it for the rest of the good guys is truly an injustice.
These are kids I grew up with, playing sports, and admiring in one way or another, now out armed and ready to risk their lives for yours or someone else.
Just a bunch of flag football players here. Two different teams, but they both play for the same team off the field. It was a cool thing to see. Police officers not being police officers.
Someones daughter, sister, wife, or friend just playing a competitive game of flag football against fellow LEOs.
They enjoy football, bbq, having a few cold beers, and being with their family too. That's the other side of the Thin Blue Line.
There's good and bad in everything. You have bad days, as do I, but those bad days don't define your character.
