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In response to KDelace's Ticket (long vent....sorry)

Original post by Moosey911


Posted by maiahsdad
all jobs have risks, i work with hot oil, and I can get burned, what makes that ANY different then someone else's job????? dont get me wrong yes it is a dangerous job but come on,





OMG!!! I don't generally get involved in these drama threads----but I had to get say something for this one......Are you SERIOUSLY comparing cooking with hot oil to life on the streets as a cop???? You've GOT to be kidding.......there must be an underlying joke there somewhere. I will be waiting for the punchline.

When is the last time you needed to go to the hospital for an 'on-the-job' injury that required extensive physical therapy, or had two knee surgeries because someone decided that it would be better to fight with you because their filet mignon was over-cooked, or you needed cortisone injections into your cervical spine because somebody decided to try and run you over with their car after their food came out cold? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE--don't ever try to say that being a cop or firefighter isn't different than everybody else's job.......

K--Sorry that your vent thread has turned into a highjacked drama thread--and it seriously stinks that you got that ticket.....fight it all the way. But, I have to get a few things off my chest here.....

1) I am a cop in the South Bronx....(And I have to preface this rant with the fact that I honor EVERY PBA/DBA/SBA/etc.. card that is handed to me---from ANY other police department) I work midnight patrol in a 'not-so-nice' area--(we compete for the most homicides every year in NYC to give you an idea). There have been many occasions in the last five years where I have been slapped, punched, kicked, thrown against walls, thrown threw a glass door, slashed with a knife, hit by a car, spit on, verbally abused, and of course, SHOT AT. All of this is literally in a day's work.
---Now, I'm not saying that EVERY cop goes through this on a nightly basis--or even at any point in their career....many will never even draw their guns (where for me it's a nightly occurance)----BUT, that being said, the possibility always exists.

2) This job offers us NOTHING in the way of a thank you. The pay S$CKS (well, I can't say that for the Nassau and Suffolk cops, but you get my point), we are forced to work two or three jobs just to be able to live on a daily basis, the benefits are lousy---yes we have a great sick leave policy.....but that's the full extent of it. The 'doctors' covered under the 'HMO' are horrible and we end up having to go out-of-network and pay anyway, we are forced to take certain overtime in 'Time' and cannot receive the monetary benefit of our extra time spent here on this job, not to mention the sh$t we have to hear from the big bosses on a daily basis because we haven't met the 'quota' for the month (but of course to John Q Public, there is no 'quota----YEAH RIGHT!!!).

3) The one benefit that we do have is our PBA cards and courtesy extended to our immediate families. They put up with SOOOO much nonsense--not to mention the nightly worries of whether we're coming home in one piece, or in a body bag----My FH (who is NOT a cop) listens to me complain, hugs me when I'm upset, and takes care of me when I get hurt....he gives up his night to sit and listen to my stories through my tears of how I almost killed a guy and literally dodged bullets...and then turns around and gives me his blessing each and every day to go back to work because he knows how much I enjoy taking guns and drugs off the streets, helping get a 15 year old out of a gang before he's in too deep, or locking up an abusive husband and helping the woman get out of the relationship.
----If my mini-shield and PBA card can help keep him from the hassle of dealing with court, or having to pay an excessive fine because he made a mistake while driving and forgot to signal, or was travelling a bit fast on the highway......then that PBA card is worth it's weight in gold. For everything that HE does for me on a daily basis......that is the one 'perk' that I can help give back to him.

4) As someone else metioned--just about every job in life has a perk in some way, shape, or form......PBA cards do not ALLOW my family members to break the law, nor are the 'above' the law. They allow the police officer to make the same discretionary decisions they make EVERY time they pull someone over. It's not manditory for a ticket to be written once a car is pulled over.......if you have a good reason (with or without a PBA card)--you have a shot of getting out of the ticket. It all depends on the cop. Obviously, Trooper Clifford is a prime example of why everyone hates State Troopers.......BUT, IMO--he should have extended some sort of courtesy. He is asking for some major trouble by writing cop's families.....there will be payback of some sort--I'm sure. There will be A LOT of Troopers, on their way into work, that will be getting written for some time. That's the way it works.........the Troopers he works with will figure it out after they receive a few tickets from the local cops or city cops and they'll take care of Clifford .

OK--I am done ranting now.......obviously everybody is entitled to their opinions and I won't bash anybody's feelings......but to compare life as a cop or firefighter to being a chef??? Come on---I was in the restaurant business for MANY years.....there is NO JOB in the world like what we do!!! It is stressful, dangerous, and (at times) repetitive.....but it is one of the most gratifying careers one could ever have. Alright--I'm off my soapbox now......I still believe in PBA cards also.

K--If you need a phone call....just let me know. I'll be more than happy to give Trooper Clifford a piece of my mind!!!!
Butterflybride Posted:

Re: In response to KDelace's Ticket (long vent....sorry)

Not trying to argue, but I think he was basically just trying to say that other jobs can be dangerous too. Let's face it, every day life can be dangerous and you can die any day for any freak reason. I don't really think that he meant it to offend cops. I worked as a cook once myself and though my life was never at risk, I did get hurt a LOT (getting cut with knives, getting burnt, etc.). I think the main point was that not every job's a walk in the park. Being a cop most certainly isn't and I really respect and appreciate all that cops do for us.
Moosey911 Posted:

Re: In response to KDelace's Ticket (long vent....sorry)

Wow.....wasn't expecting THIS big of a response......and I certainly wasn't looking for thanks---but you guys are so sweet!! I was just trying to show you (from a cop's perspective) WHY we are able to have the little 'perk' of PBA cards.

ETA: I love my job and although there are politaically annoying aspects.....I wouldn't change it for the world. If I wanted to sit behnid a desk somewhere, carry a gun, and call myself a police officer--I could, but I CHOSE to be a street cop because I love it. Obviously, getting shot at isn't a nightly occurance, however, it IS part of my job and the adreniline rush is incredible......BUT, the satisfaction of seeing the face of the man who beats his wife to death and then gets locked up by me--a 5'6' female cop is priceless. As is the great joy I take in being first on scene to deliver a baby, talking for hours with a kid who's out on the steets alone because his mom is a crackhead, or finally breaking a case and helping in the arrest of a father who murdered his own son for money. These are the reasons I keep going back......because of the GOOD things we do. Not because I'm hoping to NOT have a bad night and get hurt or because I am entertained by issuing poor people tickets who I know can't afford to eat, let alone pay for the $150 summons I just gave them. Nor do I go to work everyday because I HAVE to in order to live--I can do anything in life....I was supposed to go to medical school. I am finishing my MA and going into a PhD program next Fall......I don't do this because I HAVE to and I don't b$tch every single day about the pay and lack of benefits.....I do this because I LOVE it. I'm wouldn't quit for any amount of money in the world. If every cop quit because they had a bad night and got hurt, or quit because their paychecks were a little light this week......it would be an awfully unsafe city, don't you think???


I'm not going to reply to any of the negative posts that came out of this thread (or the other threads that were started) because I seriously hate drama. ---(AND I'M NOT EVEN TOUCHING THE POST ABOUT 9/11) Everybody is entitled to their own opinions.....I voiced mine---and it is what it is. I just hope I might have been able to make it a bit clearer for those who didn't understand why PBA cards exist. Even if I changed one person's mind---I feel better.

Thanks for listening!!
MCDO15 Posted:

Re: In response to KDelace's Ticket (long vent....sorry)

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holly231 Posted:

Re: In response to KDelace's Ticket (long vent....sorry)

In this world of Ignorance and hatred, I am so thankful for the police, fire departments and ambulance.

Moosey,

your post has got to be one of the most awe-inspring posts I have ever read on LIW in the past 2 years---THANK YOU!

Its people like you who make me feel a little better about the future, the fight against drugs, the safety of the innocent children and troubled adolescents.

THANK YOU. ITs so awesome to know that there are trusting, caring, realistic people on the Police Force.
luvsbob4603 Posted:

Re: In response to KDelace's Ticket (long vent....sorry)

Posted by Moehick

Well said, as a sister of a cop our family worrys every day he goes to work. Just wanted to thank you for putting your life on the line!


moehick my sister and brother in law are both cops. i worry about her too. she is in suffolk and he is in the city. i get scared for them both but right now they have my sister on a desk in a office she might be going back on to the streets. my brother in law her husband he does undercover and rides in the car. i will tell you the stories i hear i just cant believe what goes on in this world but i do believe it.
1017Bride Posted:

Re: In response to KDelace's Ticket (long vent....sorry)

Yes I know its a cop or firefighter's choice to be a cop, but if everyone thought it was too dangerous, we would have no one to protect us. You seem like a courgeous lady!

Yes there are cops out there who are abusive and take advantage of the law but I am sure its not the majority. I know in every profession people take advantage. Hats off to you Moosey!
Cindy Posted:

Re: In response to KDelace's Ticket (long vent....sorry)

Moosey - Very well said!

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