What gives you hope?

[Jenna]

I admire LEOs for their resilience--the ability to hold on to hope, ideals, ethics and a sense of humor even while dealing with the ragged edges of the world.

I've known competent and high-achieving people who killed themselves over seemingly minor problems in their relationships, education, or careers. People can lose hope over just one encounter with death, injury, or evil. But LEOs often have more such encounters in a few years than most non-LEOs experience in a lifetime. How do you manage to deal with all the evil and tragedy of the world without losing hope?

[Trojan 42]

Accept that it is hopeless.

[Terminator]

How do you manage to deal with all the evil and tragedy of the world without losing hope?

As far as how we do it without losing hope, I'll have to be honest, it is hopeless. You just have to come to terms with it, as most cops do in time. We can't and don't take on the world, and we don't solve problems, we simply put band-aids on them.

When the job gets to you, that's when it's crucial to have a means to vent, a support system in place, and lots of prozac.

[Twan007]

well, I have to agree with Term, especially about the support system and an avenue to vent... I would also like to throw in the knowledge that one day, if not already, I will make a difference in one person's life... and if I can save one wife from getting hit again, keep one child from harm, help one victim get closure over a loss, give one person a shoulder to cry on, or even help one person find directions that doesn't take them through "the hood" eventhough Google says that's the best route... then I would like to believe that I have done a good job...

and that is all it's about

[Tony]

I lost all hope once Reca scored 4560 on The Big Hit and Goz scored 209 on Solataire.

[BigDawg]

LEO learns early on that we can't save the world, our country, our state, even our community. But we can save a few people in our community. Throughout our career most LEO will make a difference in several lives, some we know about, some we may never know we impacted. That to me is what drives us forward everyday, knowing this might be the day I change someones life around. The day I save a child, or a mother, or a drug addict. Maybe its the day I stop a thug from terrorizing a neighborhood, maybe today Ill make some small contribution in my community and make someones life a bit easier.

As for all the death and violence that we see day to day. Well we cope with it by jokes and humor. Yes it is bad, but if we dont have that release and we keep it inside it would be much worse. LEO already has one of the highest suicide rates of any profession. We also have one of the highest divorse rates, so it does take a toll on us.

Most civilians dont know, but the last statistic I had heard is that the average life span of a cop who retires is less than 10yrs. I think that is partly because of the lack of stress. Our bodies get used to the constant stress levels of the job, and that keeps alot of heart problems at bay. But once a cop retires and that stress level is completly gone, large problems start to surface.

[jmur5074]

well, I have to agree with Term, especially about the support system and an avenue to vent... I would also like to throw in the knowledge that one day, if not already, I will make a difference in one person's life... and if I can save one wife from getting hit again, keep one child from harm, help one victim get closure over a loss, give one person a shoulder to cry on, or even help one person find directions that doesn't take them through "the hood" eventhough Google says that's the best route... then I would like to believe that I have done a good job...

and that is all it's about

+1
That about sums it up.

But to add on to what Term said, a "goal," such as the war on drugs is really hopeless.

You can fight and fight and fight. But there will never be a day where everyone will look around and say "huh....the cops won. There's no more drugs!"

So yeah, you just have to realize that you can't save the world, no matter how hard you try. You can just try and save a little piece!

[Trojan 42]

easier.

Most civilians dont know, but the last statistic I had heard is that the average life span of a cop who retires is less than 10yrs. .

Now what did you go and say that for? I'm stressed now.

[ghost98]

To me the secret to happiness is always having something to look forward to (fill in the blank) Like grade, promotions,hot date lined up ,vacations, hot date lined up, dreams, hot date lined up, new car etc....
Nothing lasts forever. When confronted with "Problems" i deal with them right away so they dont get worse.... then i'll wait. I believe time heals and think of all the other ways i've been blessed.

[Motorwaycop]

What gives me hope?

Knowing i've only got just over 4 yrs left before I retire.

Then knowing that I've got to cram as much as I can into the next 10 yrs!!

[gozling]

LEO learns early on that we can't save the world, our country, our state, even our community. But we can save a few people in our community. Throughout our career most LEO will make a difference in several lives, some we know about, some we may never know we impacted. That to me is what drives us forward everyday, knowing this might be the day I change someones life around. The day I save a child, or a mother, or a drug addict. Maybe its the day I stop a thug from terrorizing a neighborhood, maybe today Ill make some small contribution in my community and make someones life a bit easier.

As for all the death and violence that we see day to day. Well we cope with it by jokes and humor. Yes it is bad, but if we dont have that release and we keep it inside it would be much worse. LEO already has one of the highest suicide rates of any profession. We also have one of the highest divorse rates, so it does take a toll on us.

Most civilians dont know, but the last statistic I had heard is that the average life span of a cop who retires is less than 10yrs. I think that is partly because of the lack of stress. Our bodies get used to the constant stress levels of the job, and that keeps alot of heart problems at bay. But once a cop retires and that stress level is completly gone, large problems start to surface.

+1

[Jackalope]

I lost all hope once Reca scored 4560 on The Big Hit and Goz scored 209 on Solataire.

[Cheech]

I dont have hope. Were just here to maintain order

[keith720]

When I look at the issue of "hope" there are simply some people that the concept doesn't apply to. They have no hope because they have chosen to live a lifestyle that excludes them from it. They've given up on changing, therefore there is no hope for them. Once, as a cop, I realize that, it doesn't do me any good to dwell on them. There are many more to whom hope is a factor and can be a reality.

As BigDawg said, we deal with it through humor, and knowing that we do change lives through the course of our work, whether that is saving a life, stopping a crime, or simply offering comfort at the right time.

[countybear]

I learned to stop and take notice of the good things. Those which I admire, cherish, enjoy, respect, and preserve.

My faith, my children, my music... the list goes on.

I remember that although I can't save the world, I can make a difference in a small way... sometimes I win a battle, even if the war goes on.

[Pudge]

I learned to stop and take notice of the good things. Those which I admire, cherish, enjoy, respect, and preserve.

My faith, my children, my music... the list goes on.

I remember that although I can't save the world, I can make a difference in a small way... sometimes I win a battle, even if the war goes on.

Very well said.

I echo what others have said. Just recognizing that you are not going to change the world, but doing the best you can works wonders.

[Beans]

Beer, lots and lots of beer.

[bird1]

what gives me hope ?
two 24 packs of Heineken waiting in the fridge

[Rhino]

The question seems to assume that all us police officers have a sense of hopelessness. I don't think anything is hopeless to begin with. People make stupid mistake and we're here to smack their tee-tee when they do.

Any doom this country or society is facing will hopefully happen long after I'm dead and buried, so I just don't give a f--k.

What keeps me going after a bad night? Alcohol. Lots and lots of alcohol.

[mack]

If you read what everyone says it brings home what forums like this site are here for. We get together, joke, bitch, and have a good time. It is the release that everyone is talking about. LEO forums bring us all together and allow us to unwind, vent and get the ills of the day out of our minds for a while. We can talk about things that most civilians don't understand or have to deal with that we deal with on a daily basis, we can joke in that sick way that all LEO's do.