Ten “F”-ing Things Cops Should Remember

1. Family / Friends:

Find your support network, and don’t take them for granted. Make the time to spend with your family or friends and keep your support networks intact. You will need them during good times and bad.

2. Faith and ethics:

Remember why you took the job in the first place. Most cops took the job motivated by a “higher calling” to make the world a better, safer place. There are plenty of speed bumps in that journey, but you knew it wouldn’t be easy. Accept the hard for what it is, and stay true to your values.

3. Freedom:

Never forget the price of freedom. Do not compromise the oaths you swore to support and defend the Constitution. Uphold the rights of citizens, and be open-minded in discretionary matters while pursuing justice.

4. Forged:

Police work is a crucible like few other careers. It won’t be fair, but neither is life. Accept the refining fires of difficult circumstances, and emerge as a more capable human being. You will meet officers who resign themselves to circumstance, and drown. Commit yourself to being an indomitable but humble, unconquerable soul.

5. Fun:

Police officers have a front row seat to the world’s craziest reality show. For better or worse, entertainment doesn’t compare to the quality of thrillers and tragic comedy you experience every day.

6. Finances:

You won’t get rich, but don’t make yourself poor. Bad spending habits cause you to work more, increase stress levels, and strain all other areas of your life. Be reasonable, and don’t live above your means. Provide for yourself and/or your family, but don’t kill yourself (literally) in the process.

7. Fear:

The danger is real, and so is the adrenaline rush. Follow your training and trust your instincts. “There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter.” — Ernest Hemingway

8. Failure:

Most cops are the best police officer they have ever met. Don’t be a narcissist. Approach your inevitable failures with humility and learn from them. The lessons learned will make you stronger, not weak.

9. Future:

Law enforcement needs strategic thinkers. Support your agency’s short and long-term missions. Think your department doesn’t have any? Find a way to be a problem solver, and make the future a safer place.

10. Firefighters:

Everyone loves the fire service; just accept it! Get to know your colleagues in the fire service- they are actually good people! With any luck you might even score dinner at the firehouse, or a selfie with fire apparatus.

Indy_317_ is a 15-year law enforcement veteran and contributor to The White Hat Syndicate. You can follow Indy_317_ on Twitter: @Indy_317_

Indy_317_ is part of The White Hat Syndicate, a Medium account launched on October 26 that aims to publish thought-provoking articles about cutting-edge homeland security topics. The six authors come from a diverse array of professional and personal backgrounds: legal, fire, environmental health, federal transportation security, and law enforcement.

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The ideas expressed in this story do not reflect the opinion of, or endorsement by, any public or private agency.