The Real Police

By Mike Simmons

When people think about a police officer, the image of a person in a uniform comes to mind. They don’t – at first – think about a person in plain clothes conducting an investigation, or an officer on a motorcycle, or an officer at a desk, or at a school. They think of an officer patrolling the streets.

As the saying goes, “Every soldier is a foot soldier with a rifle first,” the same principle applies to police work, “Every police officer is a patrol officer first.” The saying is very true. As a rule, the first place any officer goes when they begin their career is to the Patrol Division.

Has the position changed over the years? Yes and no. It has changed in the fact that officers used to only be on foot patrol. Then came horses – and still foot patrol. Then came cars – and foot patrol. Finally, foot patrol was put to rest. But working in Patrol has not changed in the fact that, when someone needs a police officer, a patrol officer still responds.

Assignment to Patrol was – for me – the best job in the police department. I always had the most fun there. Think about it…you never know what is coming next. When you arrive at your area (known as sectors, districts, beats, etc.) you are available. Available for what? Yep. Available. Available for whatever is needed.

Grandma’s cat is in the tree? Handle it.

Fred and Barbara are fighting again? Handle it.

A guy robs the local bank? Handle it.

Lost kid? Handle it.

What other job does that?

The rest of the time is spent doing a number of things:

Crime prevention? Yep. Drive through the high crime areas.

Traffic control? Yep. Watch that intersection where accidents always occur due to people running red lights.

Community Relations? Yep. Stop by the convenience store, get a cup of coffee and visit the clerk.

You might also have to chase the guy with warrants, or fight the guy that doesn’t want to go to jail.

Funny, I remember when Lt. (later Chief) Norman Chapman was teaching my class in the law enforcement academy in 1986. He said, “Patrol is the best assignment you will ever have. You have the most fun there.” I thought exactly as all young officers think – Naw, I can’t wait to be a _________ (undercover officer, detective, SWAT team member, School Resource Officer, etc.) Fast-forward 35 years to today. When I speak to a law enforcement academy class, I hear Norman’s words ringing in my ears when I say, “Patrol is the best assignment you will ever have. You have the most fun there.”

When I think about it, I want to go back and do it again…Nah.