I had a rather disconcerting evening yesterday.
A friend who runs a real estate business held his annual Xmas party for customers and clients and we trotted along.
I ran into a former colleague from my constabulary days, who recently retired. And one young woman in her early 20's who recently resigned after only a few years service, and is now on anti-depressants, and was clearly affected by mental illness.
He told me of so many former colleagues, some younger than I, who are no longer alive. Suicides and heart attacks seemed to be the primary means of despatch.
I trained with some of these guys, and worked alongside others. So many have not survived...and some that did suffered serious illnesses that could only be associated with stress and probably alcohol abuse. The young woman was so young, and so affected by her experiences.
It was a sobering moment.
Quote from: "Bricktop"
A friend who runs a real estate business held his annual Xmas party for customers and clients and we trotted along.
I ran into a former colleague from my constabulary days, who recently retired. And one young woman in her early 20's who recently resigned after only a few years service, and is now on anti-depressants, and was clearly affected by mental illness.
He told me of so many former colleagues, some younger than I, who are no longer alive. Suicides and heart attacks seemed to be the primary means of despatch.
I trained with some of these guys, and worked alongside others. So many have not survived...and some that did suffered serious illnesses that could only be associated with stress and probably alcohol abuse. The young woman was so young, and so affected by her experiences.
It was a sobering moment.
I'll bet it was a sobering moment. I wonder what the lifespan of cops is.
These guys were in the low 60's...one died of a heart attack at around 65.
One hung himself in April. He was a first grade football player, and a decorated detective. He'd retired months beforehand.
We went through training together.
Quote from: "Bricktop"
One hung himself in April. He was a first grade football player, and a decorated detective. He'd retired months beforehand.
Wow, Im only 30 some pages into Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King, and it was talking exactly about this. How once retired, the lonelier ones, commit suicide, feeling like they have no duty to uphold or some shit.
Quote from: "Blazor"
Quote from: "Bricktop"
One hung himself in April. He was a first grade football player, and a decorated detective. He'd retired months beforehand.
Wow, Im only 30 some pages into Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King, and it was talking exactly about this. How once retired, the lonelier ones, commit suicide, feeling like they have no duty to uphold or some shit.
These men and women see some awful things and have to deal with two-legged animals.
Quote from: "Shen Li"
Quote from: "Blazor"
Quote from: "Bricktop"
One hung himself in April. He was a first grade football player, and a decorated detective. He'd retired months beforehand.
Wow, Im only 30 some pages into Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King, and it was talking exactly about this. How once retired, the lonelier ones, commit suicide, feeling like they have no duty to uphold or some shit.
These men and women see some awful things and have to deal with two-legged animals.
Oh I know. I use to be a jr. police cadet LONG ago. Plus I know out of what I seen on the internet aint the half of what they endure.
And it affects many of them deeply. I think I was one of the fortunate ones. Whilst I experienced high levels of stress on occassion, I seemed to handle them OK.
But, my decision to move on was in part motivated by the clear acceptance that another 30 odd years of this wasn't going to make me happy.
Quote from: "Bricktop"
But, my decision to move on was in part motivated by the clear acceptance that another 30 odd years of this wasn't going to make me happy.
It's a tough job.
There are none tougher.
Quote
and as you demonstrate, can take its toll
Quote from: "Blazor"
Not meaning to derail a serious topic, but we watched the entire series .. wowzers, that retired detective had quite a retirement
One of the very TV best shows or movies I have ever seen .. seemed he was headed for trouble, drinking etc ... only the continuing psycho gave him reason to stay OK
Quote from: "Bricktop"
A friend who runs a real estate business held his annual Xmas party for customers and clients and we trotted along.
I ran into a former colleague from my constabulary days, who recently retired. And one young woman in her early 20's who recently resigned after only a few years service, and is now on anti-depressants, and was clearly affected by mental illness.
He told me of so many former colleagues, some younger than I, who are no longer alive. Suicides and heart attacks seemed to be the primary means of despatch.
I trained with some of these guys, and worked alongside others. So many have not survived...and some that did suffered serious illnesses that could only be associated with stress and probably alcohol abuse. The young woman was so young, and so affected by her experiences.
It was a sobering moment.
And it hits home with me too Bricktop..
My younger brother is a policeman.
One must be very careful not to confuse fact and fiction; there is no circumstance under which a retired officer would be permitted to engage in a criminal investigation. However, the premise of a retired officer struggling to deal with life after a lifetime of criminal investigation is very, very real. Even moreso these days, it seems. The distorted perception that they are impotent and offer nothing to society once retired is a terrible mental affliction.
I knew these people. They were good guys, with families including grandchildren...yet nothing could replace the intoxicating addiction to solving serious crimes. The corrosive nature of police work left them empty and detached from reality.
I know that Police Departments are not unaware of this issue, and are looking to do more to help those who suffer much as ex-military officers do. The experience of lethal trauma and the inhumanity of humanity is devastating to some.
Quote from: "Bricktop"
I knew these people. They were good guys, with families including grandchildren...yet
I know that Police Departments are not unaware of this issue, and are looking to do more to help those who suffer much as ex-military officers do. The experience of lethal trauma and the inhumanity of humanity is devastating to some.
That's something only a policeman could understand.
Quote from: "Bricktop"
A friend who runs a real estate business held his annual Xmas party for customers and clients and we trotted along.
I ran into a former colleague from my constabulary days, who recently retired. And one young woman in her early 20's who recently resigned after only a few years service, and is now on anti-depressants, and was clearly affected by mental illness.
He told me of so many former colleagues, some younger than I, who are no longer alive. Suicides and heart attacks seemed to be the primary means of despatch.
I trained with some of these guys, and worked alongside others. So many have not survived...and some that did suffered serious illnesses that could only be associated with stress and probably alcohol abuse. The young woman was so young, and so affected by her experiences.
It was a sobering moment.
I'm sorry to hear about your colleagues & friends, BT.
Would this be a fitting tribute to the fallen?
https://youtu.be/0wxaYcWYfQ8
Quote from: "cc"
Not meaning to derail a serious topic, but we watched the entire series .. wowzers, that retired detective had quite a retirement
One of the very TV best shows or movies I have ever seen .. seemed he was headed for trouble, drinking etc ... only the continuing psycho gave him reason to stay OK
Wait, its a tv series!?
Quote from: "Bricktop"
A friend who runs a real estate business held his annual Xmas party for customers and clients and we trotted along.
I ran into a former colleague from my constabulary days, who recently retired. And one young woman in her early 20's who recently resigned after only a few years service, and is now on anti-depressants, and was clearly affected by mental illness.
He told me of so many former colleagues, some younger than I, who are no longer alive. Suicides and heart attacks seemed to be the primary means of despatch.
I trained with some of these guys, and worked alongside others. So many have not survived...and some that did suffered serious illnesses that could only be associated with stress and probably alcohol abuse. The young woman was so young, and so affected by her experiences.
It was a sobering moment.
I have had more than my share of interactions with the cops over the decades. It's not a job I could do or ever want to do. Cops need a hide six inches thick. Those that don't quit or become statistics.
Quote from: "JOE"
Would this be a fitting tribute to the fallen?
It will do, Joe. It is a rather apt piece.
Quote from: "Blazor"
Quote from: "cc"
Not meaning to derail a serious topic, but we watched the entire series .. wowzers, that retired detective had quite a retirement
One of the very TV best shows or movies I have ever seen .. seemed he was headed for trouble, drinking etc ... only the continuing psycho gave him reason to stay OK
Wait, its a tv series!?
Yup.
Super Channel I think - should be on demand - 2 seasons - will check later
Quote from: "Herman"
The problem with that is that nobody else can get through it...not even loved ones.
And it's not the drunken, exuberant, hooligans that keep you awake at nights. You put them in the cage, wake them up in the morning, remind them of what they did and pack them off until the next time.
It's the 12 year old kids breaking into houses, the churned corpses in cars driven by drunks, the broken bodies of the survivors, the carnage of stupidity and the quiet, remorseless assassins.
And the knowledge that no matter what you do, no matter how hard you try...nothing is ever going to change.
Quote from: "Bricktop"
Quote from: "Herman"
The problem with that is that nobody else can get through it...not even loved ones.
And it's not the drunken, exuberant, hooligans that keep you awake at nights. You put them in the cage, wake them up in the morning, remind them of what they did and pack them off until the next time.
It's the 12 year old kids breaking into houses, the churned corpses in cars driven by drunks, the broken bodies of the survivors, the carnage of stupidity and the quiet, remorseless assassins.
And the knowledge that no matter what you do, no matter how hard you try...nothing is ever going to change.
The community my brother serves is rural and has a large Aboriginal community..
He sees social problems daily.
Being a policeman used to be about crime management.
Now it is a social program.
I'm very happy I'm not involved.
A couple of weeks back I discovered someone i used to work with died very recently.
The police thought she'd been murdered, pushed out of a moving car onto a highway.
Her photo was in the paper and all over the Internet.
I was stunned as I'm sure everyone else must have been too.
She wasnt even 35 & left behind a 10 year old son.
So i get an idea how you must feel.
Quote from: "Bricktop"
I'm very happy I'm not involved.
My brother has mentioned this too.
Quote from: "cc"
Quote from: "Blazor"
Quote from: "cc"
Not meaning to derail a serious topic, but we watched the entire series .. wowzers, that retired detective had quite a retirement
One of the very TV best shows or movies I have ever seen .. seemed he was headed for trouble, drinking etc ... only the continuing psycho gave him reason to stay OK
Wait, its a tv series!?
Yup.
Super Channel I think - should be on demand - 2 seasons - will check later
Shame I quit cable 6 years ago lol. At least I get to read the book ac_smile
Quote from: "Bricktop"
I knew these people. They were good guys, with families including grandchildren...yet nothing could replace the intoxicating addiction to solving serious crimes. The corrosive nature of police work left them empty and detached from reality.
I know that Police Departments are not unaware of this issue, and are looking to do more to help those who suffer much as ex-military officers do. The experience of lethal trauma and the inhumanity of humanity is devastating to some.
How long were you on the police force?
30 years.
Quote from: "Bricktop"
I know it's none of my business, but you must collect a good pension.
I cashed it out.
I then joined the Federal Government. Now THAT is a good pension!!!
Socks..
Have you ever considered starting your own private detective office?
Maybe get a fro and a black leather jackasset.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFvRvSxsW-I
Quote from: "Odinson"
Have you ever considered starting your own private detective office?
Maybe get a fro and a black leather jackasset.
Disco Bricktop.
:laugh:
Quote from: "Bricktop"
Quote from: "Herman"
And the knowledge that no matter what you do, no matter how hard you try...nothing is ever going to change.
This is a feeling I struggle against every single day in my own line of work. I plug away nonetheless.
I've only been working for nine months or so at my new place of employment but I'm already two deaths, seven overdoses, and three aggravated assaults in.
It's difficult to continue to feed the belief that human beings are fundamentally good and fundamentally perfectible.
Sometimes, the line of duty can no longer be drawn with ease. Your personal life goes haywire when that happens.
Those who cannot survive the work they do or did have my entire sympathy.
Quote from: "Blurt"
Quote from: "Bricktop"
Quote from: "Herman"
And the knowledge that no matter what you do, no matter how hard you try...nothing is ever going to change.
This is a feeling I struggle against every single day in my own line of work. I plug away nonetheless.
I've only been working for nine months or so at my new place of employment but I'm already two deaths, seven overdoses, and three aggravated assaults in.
It's difficult to continue to feed the belief that human beings are fundamentally good and fundamentally perfectible.
Sometimes, the line of duty can no longer be drawn with ease. Your personal life goes haywire when that happens.
Those who cannot survive the work they do or did have my entire sympathy.
Oh my goodness.
:sad:
Quote from: "Blurt"
Quote from: "Bricktop"
Quote from: "Herman"
And the knowledge that no matter what you do, no matter how hard you try...nothing is ever going to change.
This is a feeling I struggle against every single day in my own line of work. I plug away nonetheless.
I've only been working for nine months or so at my new place of employment but I'm already two deaths, seven overdoses, and three aggravated assaults in.
It's difficult to continue to feed the belief that human beings are fundamentally good and fundamentally perfectible.
Sometimes, the line of duty can no longer be drawn with ease. Your personal life goes haywire when that happens.
Those who cannot survive the work they do or did have my entire sympathy.
We should never,ever lose sight of the fact that 95% of humans are good people, and that the madness, violence, lunacy and mayhem generated by the miscreant 5% of not a measure of us all.
We're none of us perfect, but in the main we're good at heart and care for each other. Humans have created much wonder and beauty, and a few rogues cannot take that away.
Best post.
Quote from: "Blurt"
I agree Blurt.
Quote from: "Bricktop"
We should never,ever lose sight of the fact that 95% of humans are good people, and that the madness, violence, lunacy and mayhem generated by the miscreant 5% of not a measure of us all.
We're none of us perfect, but in the main we're good at heart and care for each other. Humans have created much wonder and beauty, and a few rogues cannot take that away.
This also applies to gun ownership too ya know lol :001_tongue:
Its that 5% that fuck things up.
Quote from: "Bricktop"
Quote from: "Blurt"
Quote from: "Bricktop"
Quote from: "Herman"
And the knowledge that no matter what you do, no matter how hard you try...nothing is ever going to change.
This is a feeling I struggle against every single day in my own line of work. I plug away nonetheless.
I've only been working for nine months or so at my new place of employment but I'm already two deaths, seven overdoses, and three aggravated assaults in.
It's difficult to continue to feed the belief that human beings are fundamentally good and fundamentally perfectible.
Sometimes, the line of duty can no longer be drawn with ease. Your personal life goes haywire when that happens.
Those who cannot survive the work they do or did have my entire sympathy.
We should never,ever lose sight of the fact that 95% of humans are good people, and that the madness, violence, lunacy and mayhem generated by the miscreant 5% of not a measure of us all.
We're none of us perfect, but in the main we're good at heart and care for each other. Humans have created much wonder and beauty, and a few rogues cannot take that away.
That 95% figure is too optimistic.
Quote
The 5% for really bad sounds reasonable at first look.
But, the 95% should be viewed as containing a great variance of quality from sort of OK but no good contribution to society up to huge contribution to society.
When I think of spousal abuse "as only one of several negative societal factors", seems the ratio might be quite different.
It is all predicated on the definition of "bad" and "good" .. and the "degrees" of each
Quote from: "cc"
Quote
The 5% for really bad sounds reasonable at first look.
But, the 95% should be viewed as containing a great variance of quality from sort of OK but no good contribution to society up to huge contribution to society.
When I think of spousal abuse "as only one of several negative societal factors", seems the ratio might be quite different.
It is all predicated on the definition of "bad" and "good" .. and the "degrees" of each
That number covers a big tent.
Yes, and my point is that those inside that tent vary from ~6 to likely less than 100
We can't know exacts or who is who what degree anyone is - I'll let god sort em out
Quote from: "cc"
Quote
The 5% for really bad sounds reasonable at first look.
But, the 95% should be viewed as containing a great variance of quality from sort of OK but no good contribution to society up to huge contribution to society.
When I think of spousal abuse "as only one of several negative societal factors", seems the ratio might be quite different.
It is all predicated on the definition of "bad" and "good" .. and the "degrees" of each
There is not a human being alive who has not committed regrettable acts during their life. Humans are far from "perfect".
What separates the 95% from the 5% is that the vast majority will feel remorse, even shame at their follies. They know they have done the wrong thing...they learn, they grow, they change...
But the 5% don't. They are filled with hate and fury, and harming others brings them joy. They do not care for the consequences on their fellow man.
We've all done bad things (correct me if you think I've misrepresented you). But there are those who enjoy doing bad things.
They are the one's that need to be removed from society.
But, Leo. Everywhere we go, society is there.
Even if we sent criminals to the moon or to Mars, they'd form a society there.
I mean, look at Australia.
:wink:
A modern, affluent and advanced society, built by criminals...
Like I said, most people are inherently good.
Except Quebecois!!!
Hey!! Not all Quebecois are bad.
Blurt proves that
Quote from: "cc"
Quote
The 5% for really bad sounds reasonable at first look.
But, the 95% should be viewed as containing a great variance of quality from sort of OK but no good contribution to society up to huge contribution to society.
When I think of spousal abuse "as only one of several negative societal factors", seems the ratio might be quite different.
It is all predicated on the definition of "bad" and "good" .. and the "degrees" of each
Speaking of spousal abuse, I have had to give out free attitude adjustments to a former brother-in-law and my other sister's former boyfriend.
I hate cowardly guys that smack women.
WTF?
FREE?
Dude...what a humanitarian.
I watched the video where those two scandinavian backpacker females get decapitated..
"Both were students of "outdoor activities and cultural guidance""
Well that explains why they thought it was okay for two females to go backpacking in Morocco...
Morocco is filled with nice muslims.. Muslims are so kind and they bring so much joy to our cultures.
Here is the news.. The video is on some gore site..
https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/two-female-backpackers-found-killed-at-morocco-hot-spot/news-story/ee3ece874cc646a77d9aad6e938a92d6
Quote from: "cc"
Blurt proves that
Agreed. Not all are. My godfather lives in Montreal. Hes a great guy. I would say the francophones are the worst. They think they are the only Canadian citizens and are so extremely very rude. I have some friends who live in those areas and they are fed up with them too. They treat their own people like trash.
Quote from: "Berry Sweet"
Quote from: "cc"
Blurt proves that
Agreed. Not all are. My godfather lives in Montreal. Hes a great guy. I would say the francophones are the worst. They think they are the only Canadian citizens and are so extremely very rude. I have some friends who live in those areas and they are fed up with them too. They treat their own people like trash.
Godfather of Montreal? "Don" Vito Rizzuto?
I wish Canada would expel all French-speaking Canadians and make this country only English speaking. Ship Quebec to France. What a dream come true that would be.
Quote from: "@realAzhyaAryola"
Quebec is a spoiled child. I wish the yes side won in 1995. Trudeau would not be pm today if that had happened.