Police Officer Interview

On average there are over 2.3 million people incarcerated in America alone and every person was put there with the help of a police officer. When people think of policemen they typically think of present time officers, but few think of the past. I am one of the few simply because my grandfather, Frank, is a retired 30 year policeman. Frank joined the police force in 1965 and was able to experience first hand how much times have changed. Frank retired after 20 years as an officer in New York but later moved to Illinois to do 10 more years as a cop simple because he loved his job. “To me I never felt the feeling of having to go to work. It was everything to me. I love putting my uniform on and the prestige of the job. The risk was worth the
reward,” said Frank. Being a policeman is not what it use to be, between technology, training, and how cops carry themselves and think of their job. First, technology has advanced greatly since 1965, not only with civilians but with cops as well.
When Frank first started his career with the police force in New York his technology was as advance as a radio. It was not a high tech radio either like the ones today. His radio could only reach a small section of the city. If cops were in trouble and needed back up they would have to call on the radio and then they cops they reached would have to call some else and the cycle would continue until the correct people were reached. Now policemen have radios that reach the entire city, laptops, printers, cellular phones, finger print scanners, and GPS all in their squad cars. Cops now have more of an advantage then cops in 1965. Although policeman had a hard time with technology back in 1965, they had fewer criterions to meet to be a policeman and less
training. Second, to be a cop in 1965 a person would only need a high school diploma. Now a person needs a high school diploma, and associates degree or military experience. Police have a higher standard now because cops have to be the best and having more experience will help them in the long run. The training police go through constantly has changed as well. When Frank was in the force he had to learn all types of fighting styles and practice shooting every month. Cops now take different training classes to prevent the use of force. Although they still take all the fighting and shooting class as before, cops take negotiating and sensitivity classes along with many more. As time has past cops have slowly changed their views on their job. Lastly, Frank never thought of his job as a job.
To him it was a way of life. Frank was always on duty no matter where he was or whom he was with. Frank was on his way to his house with his three boys and wife in the car when traffic stopped completely. He said he looked ahead to see three men get out of a vehicle and start beating on another man in a truck. Frank stated that even though he was off duty and with his family, he could not sit there and watch this injustice happen. Frank stepped out of his vehicle and identified himself as an off duty cop to the three men. He saw the man pull out a knife as they surrounded him. He had no choice but to take out his gun. Frank said he was lucky that another off duty cop got out of his car to help. The two off duty cops stood back to back with their guns out. Finally help arrived and Frank was not hurt. He said as he returned to his car it dawned on him that his family was not far watching the event unfold. To him that was his job and it was normal but to his family it was terrifying. Now most people view their job as a job. It comes with a good paycheck and it pays the bills. But to cops back in Frank's time, it was more then a job; being a cop was the greatest honor. Risking your life is not everyone’s idea of the perfect life, but for some it is
everything. Policemen keep cities and towns safe and protect innocent people without hesitation. As technology advances so will police work. Technology helps policemen solve crimes and also helps protect them. In 1965 technology was very limited but whatever they had they used to their advantage. Training has also changed because people now have grown use to gentle ways. When Frank was a cop he would get the job done even if it meant force. Frank and his fellow policemen took pride in their job. On or off duty they were cops. Their uniform was more then just a uniform; it was a symbol. Now cops are just happy they have a job in this economy and are happy with a steady paycheck. It is true not everyone can be a policeman; it takes a strong and willing person. “It is a heavy weight on ones shoulders to decide who lives and who dies and you must be willing to carry that weight for the rest of your life”- Frank