Did you see that? No, What? That guy just punched that other guy in the gut, real hard
Really? Yeah, and the guy still got up!
The use of this dialogue truly has a vast application when dealing in situations where there is a need to inspire. Being a police officer isn’t exclusively about control and command.
Contrary to popular belief, many times it has nothing to do with writing a citation or making an arrest. Honestly, there is no quota.
More often than not, we deal with subjects who are in desperate need of rejuvenation or a resurrection. Their capricious choice to partake in carbon-based and inorganic substance use, appropriation of another’s belongings, or simply being donkeys (synonym not permitted), affords us an opportunity to coach the public.
In 2006, a fictional, larger-than-life Rocky Balboa said it best, “It ain’t about how hard you’re hit, it is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!” I sincerely share this insight with many of our society.
Consciously do the right thing! Make positive choices to avoid the knock-out punches of life’s impulsive desires.
“Control, 269, 10-8 in-service.”
Oct. 26. It’s supper time. However, the officers get dispatched to a boisterous and disruptive subject at the Rebel gas station. Our humble traveler was decanting beer from its prescribed container to a more discreet flask. Mr. Intoxicated blows a .236 for a preliminary breath test; next stop jail. Liquid supper is not good!
Oct. 27. Officers respond to the area of Cottonwood Street and Avenue A regarding a disturbance. The mother first states that her brother hit her 2-year-old daughter. As we investigate, the story changed. No abuse occurred, unless you were a kitchen sink faucet. Mom was upset about her brother breaking the faucet. Making a false allegation does not facilitate good family bonds.
Oct. 28. The girlfriend calls to report her live-in boyfriend refuses to leave the dwelling. Officers arrive near Darlene Way and meet the complainant. She now reports he’s been giving her “noogies” on her head. After checking both subjects, officers learn the complainant has three warrants out of Nevada Highway Patrol. No domestic violence occurred, but she’s off to a bar-laced view.
Oct. 29. A caller reports there is an inferno off of Adams Boulevard and Utah Street. The flames are devouring the area.
Dispatch sends every available officer and sounds the five-alarm bell at Boulder City Fire Department. As units are en route, the original complainant calls to report it was all a false alarm. The caller took a couple of Ambien sleeping pills and must have dreamed about “Dante’s Inferno.”
Oct. 30. A resident came back to town causing trials and tribulations for his son and mother. Officers arrive near Adams Boulevard and Darlene Way and consult with what appears to be a chemically contaminated subject. Even chickens like to posture as roosters and may become disorderly. Mr. Havoc Maker is taken into custody without incident.
Oct. 31. As the witching hour arrived, so did arrest time. An officer conducts a traffic stop on a speeding car. The local residents are just coming back from a Halloween gathering. Fortunately for them we were able to oblige with overnight accommodations. One had an outstanding warrant; the other possessed mild mood-altering substances. Plus, Mr. Drug Holder failed to register as a felon. Trick or Treat?
Nov. 1. Officers get dispatched to a man wearing a trench coat, carrying a shotgun and walking down the railroad tracks. I thought the Jesse James days were long gone. We arrive, but can’t spot the desperado. We check with the train station employees and learn that this weekend was the train robbery ride. The actors sure did look real to the caller.
As we come into round 11 of a 12-round match, I’d like to remind you to keep moving forward. Keep it legal, keep it between the lines and do the right thing.
We love our job, but we’d rather not have to exercise the enforcement aspect all the time.
Officer Jeffrey Grasso is a 11-year veteran of the Boulder City Police Department. He previously served as a police officer in south Florida for four years.