10 secrets cops know that most people don't

[71MUSTY]

Just because we get paid to fight sometimes doesn't mean we want to. Heck I still get that pit in my stomach when I know that no matter what I say or do, there's gonna be punches thrown.

If I was solo and had help from a bystander, I'd be more than thrilled. And surprised. And whoever it was, or if it were more than one, they'd be getting a dinner on me at the House of Prime Rib on Van Ness.

Problem is sometimes we don't know if we are helping or getting in the way or worse yet obstructing.

[CBR_rider]

I was referring specifically to item I quoted from the article about assisting an officer who was struggling with a suspect. Not putting on a batman costume to go roam the streets of Gotham.

With the constant messages of: "The police will protect you" what's the average person supposed to think? They've been trained not to act, not to get involved and to let someone else do the dirty work. Kinda that whole "law of unintended consequences" thing yuh know.

I'm not sure if the article you were quoting appeared in your original post. I would argue that the "training" towards inaction has a whole lot more components than just law enforcement staff officers telling people to stand back and call 911.

Problem is sometimes we don't know if we are helping or getting in the way or worse yet obstructing.

I can understand that; but as has been stated here don't be afraid to ask if things look bad (usually, this would be solo/maybe two officers).

As an aside, just this past month we had a suspect bolt from one of our officers. There was a pretty long foot pursuit and the deputy wasn't able to close the gap on the suspect. Two citizens saw this, made a u-turn in their car and drove up to the suspect. They then tackled him and held him until backup arrived (which wasn't long; I was around the corner by time they tackled the bad guy). Once the suspect was secured we gave them a big thanks and sent them on their way (didn't need any of the suspect's friends swinging by and checking them out).

[TRICKSTER]

I must have worked in an area with unusually intelligent people. They figured out that all they had to say is "Officer, do you need help?".

[AR15Man]

Saw another list a while back (Not a LEO)

We had an unwritten rule. If someone had an on-duty TA or had to call a wrecker for any reason Donuts were on them the following night.