Tactical Talk: The Philosophical Cop
The Philosophical Cop, know better to readers simply as PC, has been blogging anonymously about life on the force on for a year and a half. While he doesn’t post often (about once a month), his entries always draw some sort of debate.
In his brief bio page, he reveals that he’s been a cop in “one of America’s largest cities for over a decade.” He says he’s worked almost every environment — from $10 million neighborhoods to the ghettoist of ghettos. And when he chatted with us via e-mail last week, he revealed even more.
What’s the driving force behind The Philosophical Cop?
The driving force was my frustration that while lots of “anti” and “pro” cop sites and blogs were going up, no one really wanted to have a conversation about it. The pro-cop side thought cops were infallible and could do no wrong. The other side accused us of being Nazis, etc. etc. The PC is a place to have calm, intelligent debate about a very serious topic: The work of the few men and women who are constitutionally permitted to stop you from doing what you planned today!
Have you found many other cops who are philosophical as well?
One of my biggest “pleasant” surprises has been that SO MANY cops are philosophers! Some of the best conversations I can remember are about the legal side of our job, or discussing how a life went so wrong to lead a suspect to do “this” or “that.” I believe most folks would be shocked to sit down with my peers and have a chat. Today’s cops have college degrees, military careers and life experience.
You blog anonymously … has anyone where you work ever figured you out?
No one has figured me out, but I have shared my secret with a few choice individuals to make sure I am grounded and being realistic. I want the PC to be about COPS, not about ME.
You recently asked “What’s Wrong with Cops These Days?” on your blog. What’s your answer to this question?
Two answers: First, they need a good PR man! For every disturbing story about cops making a mistake, there are 100 others of heroism and compassion. I understand those stories don’t sell newspapers, but we need someone to get out the “good” word. Cops go bad just like any other professionals, but we have a microscope on us like no other.
Second, WE also need to focus more on the positive. Even in the most dangerous neighborhoods in New York or Detroit, MOST cops encounter MOSTLY good people MOST of the time. I constantly challenge myself to remember this. As a result, management should be rotating precincts so that cops don’t spend an entire career in one tenement house, etc. So our leaders need to balance our exposure to the negative in order to keep us grounded.
Since we are the Tactical Pants blog, we must ask what is your favorite brand of tac pants/gear. What you like about it?
Very sneaky! I do not endorse products on the PC, and don’t want to get into that business. I can tell you that tac gear needs to be three things for me to even consider utilizing it on an operation:
1. Comfortable. Sure, steel pants would be tough, but who wants to sit in them all day!
2. Durable. And I don’t mean for a few months. I have some uniforms and undercover gear for five years and running.
3. Diversified. While I am willing to spend money to get the best, I cannot afford six holsters and five different undercover get ups. So colors, patterns and concealability must allow for multitasking.
Note that I did not mention “inexpensive.” I have long believed that tac gear is SAFETY gear. I will spend the money upfront to get the best, and then I want it to last…
In: Information · Tagged with: clothing, law enforcement