What's Behind the Badge?

I've been asked many times "What's behind the badge?" The answer is simple: Men and women who are husbands, wives, fathers, sons, mothers, daughters, brothers, sisters and friends. They go to church, attend their kid's football and track meets, pay their taxes and work to support their families. They have the same hopes, goals and fears as we do. They look like, sound and act like us because they are us. What makes them different is the fact that they put their very lives on the line every day for total strangers. That is their gift to humanity.

On April 4 2009, a coward took the lives of three Pittsburgh police officers. They chose to risk everything to keep us safe so let us never forget their names, faces or the sacrifice they made so that we could sleep better knowing that they, and those like them, are on watch.

So Much for Technology

As many of you who follow my career know, I have gladly returned to work at the Duquesne police station. During my down time, I have utilized my laptop to catch up on some writing, gaming, etc. and I've been seen on many occasions playing solitare or typing the historical society newsletter.

But now in the wake of an anti-Duquesne blog that has recently surfaced, I have been told of a new department policy: "No more personal computers in the station." When I inquired about this new rule (only directed to me by the way), I was told in so many words that with this blogging stuff, I could go on-line at work. I have to wonder; Am I that much of a threat? I don't think so because I see that there have been 4 entries made on the anti-duquesne blog since the special "no laptop law" was enacted and I've not brought mine into the station.

Isn't Technology Wonderful?

Many police departments in North America successfully utilize and embrace the latest in technology for the benefit of their citizens and members. Seen above is the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) with their newest weapon in crime fighting. This UAV or unmanned aerial vehicle is equipped with video and photographic capabilities that makes it highly effective for surveillance, rural missing persons and vehicle tracking.

Some police departments, however embrace technology that may not be the latest innovation but is still more advanced than their previously utilized tools. Seen below is the pen. In the right hands, it is an effective communication device that is more portable than mallets, chisels and stone tablets.

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So Much to Work With, So Little Time

I've been asked by many people why would I want to go back to work after being off for three years, having five back surgeries and needing Vicodin just to get through the day?

The answer is simple: The endless amount of writing material... you just can't make this stuff up!

Fetish Meets Just Plain Creepy

After being off work for over 39 months, I quickly became aware that I’ve not been privy to all of the events and characters that have surfaced in my absence. This evening, one of those nice people found me.

With a half an hour to go before the end of my shift, the phone rang and I answered it, as I always do, “Duquesne Police, Sergeant Burns.” A soft female voice on the other end asked in a whisper “Who is this?” “Sergeant Burns, can I help you?” I said. “Can I ask you a question?” she whispered. “Yes, but who is this?” I asked. “Marissa.” She said “but it’s a silly question” she went on. By this time, one side of a very odd conversation got the attention of an officer who was just coming in to work. “Sure, you can ask,” I said. She then inquired, “Are you wearing any boots?” My response of “Am I wearing what?” prompted the listening officer to chime in and announce to all in the station “Hey, Dan just got a call from the boot lady!”

Apparently, this woman has been calling many of the local police departments for the past couple of years and inquiring if the answering officer is wearing boots. If so, what type. Do they zipper or do they have laces. Are they high tactical or low cut. She will only talk to men and is known to carry on a conversation to quite some time. No one knows who she is, why she calls or what she is getting out of the conversation (only one could imagine).

Now that I’m prepared, the next time she calls I’ll tell her “That’s all I’m wearing... boots, a gun belt and a smile!”

Who Does Determine What is Normal?

When I was injured in 2004, I was then employed with Duquesne for over a decade. Three years later, I returned to an interesting suprise. I was unaware that during my three years off, I unknowingly slipped back into what's known as "Normal thinking people's mode." Its that state of mind where common everyday things have reason and the bizarre has it's own place.

The suprise was returning to work in a police station only to find that the secretary now feels the need to lock up her chair before she goes home at the end of the day. Apparently the guys in the station are unable, or unwilling to take care of the office furniture so she she now has to take steps to protect what everyone should be responsible with. I guess if we have locks our lockers, we need to keep our furnishings safe as well.
The photo may not be suitable for all ages... it is a chair in bondage.

Greed Affects Us All

Nearly twenty years ago, an employee at a local McDonalds Restaurant was murdered while making a bank deposit. Since that time, that particular restaurant and their local police department enjoyed a partnership. On busy nights, a manager would call the police to escort an employee to the bank or just ask for an officer to sit in the parking lot as the nearby amusement park closed. As a courtesy, the restaurant would feed all uniformed police at no charge. No matter if it were breakfast, lunch or dinner, the staff at McDonalds would never charge an officer on duty. In addition to their generousity to the police, the store was an active and contributing member of the town as they participated in many community and civic functions. For nearly twenty years it was a great partnership, that is until now.

To the embarrassment of the entire police department one officer, while on duty, took advantage of a good thing and ordered nearly thirty dollars worth of food to feed not just herself but her entire family waiting at home. The insult to the restaurant and its manager was the fact that when asked about the large order, the officer lied and claimed to be feeding the “boys on the shift.”

What angers officers most about this story is the fact that this officer had been called on the carpet for the same infraction in the not too distant past. This time though, McDonalds, along with the police department have decided to eliminate any free, gift or comp’d meals to the police. Among the other members of the department, the consensus is that no one blames McDonalds for their decision. The fact remains though that at the end of the day it’s not free food that was lost, but the dignity and respect of an entire police force.