Cries for help . . .

During headcount a few nights ago I heard someone repeatedly call out for me. After locating the cell, an inmate runs up to the door in tears and says "I just hung up with my sister before count and she's going to kill herself."
I took the name and the address and called central communications. They sent a deputy and the fire department. She did not kill herself. The deputy kicked the door in before she succeeded.
One of the reasons I remain in public safety is I believe someone should always be there to hear cries for help. I also believe that someone should answer them.

D-I-V-O-R-C-E

Much like the post I wrote about suicide, I guess I chose to ignore that our profession also boasts one of the highest rates of divorce. So far this week two of my best friends have dropped on me they are getting divorced. One is a young guy who has only been married four years, one is a guy on his second marriage. Sure, people at our department get divorced but it's almost always the ones that you cringed when they got married. The "that's not going to end well" type of marriage.
Both of my friends are devastated. There are children involved in both marriages that are devastated. The younger one says that after counseling it is a mutual split. Apparently as the mother of a two year old his wife was not able to come to terms with him working 12 hour shifts at night. The older guy had been divorced for a while before marriage number two. He was so excited to have a family situation back in his life; he even took full custody of all three children from a previous marriage. There was a big communication problem in that marriage that several of my friends tried to gently point out to them.
Both of them have to come to me for advice. I told them both the same thing; I've never been married, I'm not qualified. My parents have been married almost 40 years. I have no idea what divorce is like.
To me marriage is an institution not to be taken lightly. I'm not just going to run off to Vegas or marry someone I've only known a year. Communication and trust is a big thing to me. At this rate I'll just stay single . . .

Quotations and observations . . .

"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." - Invictus, by William Ernest Henley

I have an engraved bracelet that says "Fall down seven times, stand up eight." It was a saying told to me when I graduated the police academy.

On that note, this post will be kind of flighty and short. Given how work has been going, this is about as good as it is going to get today. Today I saw a good friend of mine in a shoot/don't shoot situation in real life. He is not sure he is comfortable with the decision he made, I have every confidence in the world in him. You don't make your decision because you hate what is in front of you . . . you make it because you love the men and women behind you.

If you're in California and see a San Bernardino deputy . . . tell them thanks for what they do. It's a long story, but they're worth it.

"There's no such thing as coincidence" - Lt. Joe Leaphorn, from the Tony Hillerman books.

Hang on . . .

That about sums up how work has gone the last two weeks. Our division has had some major staffing changes and we are no longer working 12 hour shifts. Hello 5 days of 8's. My best friend has been moved to second shift. We have no idea what supervisors will be assigned to our rotation.

Did I mention I hate change? No, I didn't? Well, I do.

Just close your eyes and hang on.

Reality . . .

Pawn: (noun) - What you are to your politically motivated administration. See also: means to an end, bargaining chip.


Morale: (noun) - A rare mental and emotional condition involving enthusiasm and confidence. Sometimes seen in departments without layoffs and budget emergencies.


Brotherhood: (noun) - An unbreakable bond shared by members of a law enforcement agency. The only known defense against crisis within or outside of a department. See also: thin blue line.

We didn't start the fire . . .

My night went something like this, sing along in your mind:

Warrant problems
Low manpower
Whiny cops
Amateur hour
No service
ER Rooms
Awful leadership

Fire department
Extradition
Power outage
Failed to mention
Schedule changes
Venue changes
When can I go home

Overtime
Long day
Jail's full
Hazard pay
OR
The bond is payed
And the Sgt's on his way

Infirmary
Med pass
Have we called a squad for this
Clear the sally
Call the medic
Where the hell's my Sgt

We didn't start the fire
It was always burnin' since the worlds been turning
We didn't start the fire
No we didn't light it but we tried to fight it

And for amusement purposes: http://www.sporcle.com/games/wedidntstartthefire.php
I have gotten up to 113 of the 120 . . . some things I never can spell.

They were somebody's someone . . .

"All gave some, some gave all."

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/us/faces-of-the-dead.html?ref=us#/dikcis_alan_n