The Police Also Need Respect

[Mr. Security]

Recently, I stopped in at a SC Highway Patrol Barracks to see if I could exchange shoulder patches with a trooper. The trooper didn't have any and promised to send one if I left my address. I gave him a patch and agreed to the deal. A few weeks later, I get the patch in the mail and it is still sewn on the sleeve of the shirt that he cut it off from.

Inside the envelope was a hand-written note from the trooper who said that he was so moved by the fact that someone from the public actually cared enough to make a special stop while on vacation just to get a shoulder patch from the SCHP, that he cut up a perfectly good shirt to do it.

This tells me that the police get a hard time from the public, like we do, and appreciate it when the public expresses appreciation for all they do. The next time you see a cop, why not tell them that you appreciate what they do to protect us. Even better, do it in your security uniform and you will likely help to improve that officer's viewpoint of security.

[Guest]

I agee Mr. Security. Stereotypes and generalizations don't help the police and they do not help us. We can be a part of the problem (arguing back and forth) or we can be a part of the solution (Being respectful, accepting and even taking pride in our differences, and not holding grudges).

The Police are doing brave and selfless work. Even cops with negative personalites can be excellent Officers. We need to see past our difference and respect each other.

[Mr. Security]

I agee Mr. Security. Stereotypes and generalizations don't help the police and they do not help us. We can be a part of the problem (arguing back and forth) or we can be a part of the solution (Being respectful, accepting and even taking pride in our differences, and not holding grudges).

The Police are doing brave and selfless work. Even cops with negative personalites can be excellent Officers. We need to see past our difference and respect each other.

Well said. Incidentally, congratulations on making Senior Member.

[Lawson]

The next time you see a cop, why not tell them that you appreciate what they do to protect us.

Because a lot of them will think you are a weirdo. Aside from a lot of senior citizens, when I worked on boat patrol for a PD, a lot of people who gave me a "thanks for doing what you do" just seemed... odd. For me, a smile and a nod was better than sufficient.

[Mr. Security]

Because a lot of them will think you are a weirdo. Aside from a lot of senior citizens, when I worked on boat patrol for a PD, a lot of people who gave me a "thanks for doing what you do" just seemed... odd. For me, a smile and a nod was better than sufficient.

And why would that make you believe that such an individual is a weirdo? Just because most people don't do it? I'm not questioning the fact that you feel that way, just the basis for it.

[EMTGuard]

Interesting that the officer should have that reaction. When i was with the fire department we traded patches all the time with other FDs as well as police and ambulance companies. When I drove from my home near Baton rouge to my brothers home in Denver I had the Fire Chief give me about a dozen patches to trade. I came back from the vacation with at least one patch from every state we passed through. My father, a retired cop, didn't collect patches but many of his friends did. Their office walls were lined with patches. Some only collected patches from other Police departments while some collected patches from just about any Fire, EMS, Security or what have you agency that you can think of. I know of police and fire buffs who do the same thing. I even did a lot of patch trading in the military. When I ws in Germany I traded several of my 3rd Infantry Division patches with German Army soldiers. When I went to Desert Storm with 1st Cav I made sure to pack a few extra patches but my tank unit never had much chance to meet other units and do any trading.

[Mr. Security]

.... When I went to Desert Storm with 1st Cav I made sure to pack a few extra patches but my tank unit never had much chance to meet other units and do any trading.

Not even Iraqi units?

[EMTGuard]

Not even Iraqi units?

I wish. Ironically, being in a front line combat tank unit gave me less contact with the Iraqi soldiers. We barreled through their lines, my M1A1 Abrams had a mine plow attached to the front, while units to our rear swept up any survivors who felt like surrendering. I would have loved to have gotten a few Iraqi unit patches.

[Mr. Security]

..... I would have loved to have gotten a few Iraqi unit patches.

Ebay maybe?