Becoming A Cop - The Blue And You

A police officer's world is populated by unsavoryadaptable, police officers see their work as an
characters, regulated by laws, regulations andon-going professional and personal challenge, to be
policies, and powered by spikes of adrenalin. Amet with gusto and initiative. This life approach
police officer's life is a balance between work andintegrates deeply, making them keen competitors,
home, like every working person, but an officer'sable teammates and steadfast friends.
work is more than just their job-it is also whoInnovative and insightful, police officers develop
they are.uniquely personalized coping techniques to manage
The uniform, badge and gear may come offthe rigors of police work, keeping goals attainable
when an officer reaches home, but the authority,and rewards self-defined. Establishing a solid
sense of duty and commitment to communitypersonal identity that translates smoothly from 'on
can never be laid aside. The training and dedicationtheir beat 'to' in their home is all-important to an
every officer carries with them is, and must be,officer-enabling the core of their personality to
ready to be put into action at a moment'sremain strong for the demands of their duties and
notice-whether the officer is on duty or at homefor the needs of their loved ones.
sipping a cool drink and grilling steaks.Punishing, brutal and raw, the events officers are
Police officers operate in black and white, goodrequired to control and resolve define a human
and bad parameters-a necessary environment forreality whose existence is not lessened because
their exacting duties. Enforcing laws and abiding byan officer goes off duty. Knowing that their daily
regulations leaves no room for errors, yet everybattle is but one step in a continuing war, officers
officer is asked to find the pinpoint balance ofbelieve that their battle is just and honorable-and
judgment that enforces exactly, but alsoworth returning to.
addresses the greatest good. Officers' mental andPerils abound in the life of a police officer, yet
physical resources are finite, but their desire tothose that make the choice to enforce the law
achieve is infinite. This desire transforms stressorsaccept those perils and perceive them as an
that would disable many into opportunities toopportunity for courage; and an opportunity for
excel.courage defines life behind a badge.
Quick-thinking, tremendously controlled and highly