Brotherhood, Sisterhood, or Family?

**Radar** · 01-20-10, 01:36 PM

In this day and age when more and more women are joining the ranks of law enforcement, do you just say family or do you still say brotherhood? Not trying to be politically correct or anything, just wondering.

I still notice a lot of reference to "the brotherhood" and just wondered what others thoughts on this are. Are we still a brotherhood even though women have joined our ranks, or keeping them in mind do you know think to yourself that "we're all family" or do you still think "we're all brothers" including women?

Women in law enforcement, what are your thoughts on this? Or have you abandoned us men and have started your own law enforcement sisterhood?

**mavriktu** · 01-20-10, 05:41 PM

In my opinion the term brotherhood is relatively generic,more like a third person terminology

**lewisipso** · 01-20-10, 07:44 PM

I'm down to an aunt, 2 cousins, and their children whom I am not able to see on a regular basis. I still utilize the term brotherhood in a generic sense but, as sappy as it sounds, you guys and gals are much more like family to me. I know, sounds strange.

**Second Chance** · 01-20-10, 08:12 PM

Brotherhood is in my opinion the strongest bond there is, we believe in right and try our best to live up to belonging in the Brotherhood. It is a generic term, just like the men/women in blue, just means Police..........

I recall my first job in law enforcement was in a small south Louisiana city, the chief talked to all the cops in this small city and to this day I regard him as one of the best cops I have ever met. Well back to my story, we have a meeting, all 12 of us, he speaks of holding yourself up to all the ones that would do harm to us. He looks at us and says, "I would gladly die for anyone of you, because I know all of you would do the same for me. That is what BROTHERHOOD is any officer would sacrifice to help/save a fellow officer, that officer being their best friend or a total stranger. Because we are the ones in blue, who believe to our dieing breath that this Brotherhood must go on.

**Kimble** · 01-20-10, 08:17 PM

I don't buy into the brotherhood thing, personally. Did for a while, but after about 5 years in LE, it's gone by the wayside.

That's not to say I don't believe in backing up my fellow officer, and possibly lying my life down for one, I absolutely do. I just don't look at "all cops" as brothers/sisters/whatever. We're people who do a job. Our job is dangerous, and sometimes calls for us to make sacrifices in dangerous situations (like the military), but having dealt with good cops, bad cops, and just plain lazy cops, I don't see us all as a brotherhoods because I don't see that exhibited in all cops. Rather, it's a job, and I take pride in doing it the best I can because I enjoy it, and back up other officers because that's what I'd expect in return.

Maybe I'm just jaded.

**lewisipso** · 01-20-10, 08:20 PM

We love you anyway.

**Wolven** · 01-20-10, 09:44 PM

Kimble..geesh..jaded after 5 years

I believe in the Brotherhood for what it stands for...a band of those that believe that good will always trump evil. Is it "just a job"..sure it is a job...but there arent many jobs where you would lay down your life for another..whether they be stranger, a friend or another in uniform (whether you like him or not). Is it idealistic? Sure. But I, for one, chose to believe any way.

**BEK** · 01-21-10, 01:11 AM

"The Family" kinda sounds like we are all mobbed up or something....

**Shoestring** · 01-21-10, 02:54 AM

Brotherhood in my book is anyone in our LEO community.

I dont care if you are a woman or a dog, if you are LEO, you are in!

I am going to kick ass and chew bubble gum just the same with a female officer as a male officer.

We are in this together, and I will have your back.

I cant say I will like everyone as a person but I will always have their back (Of course unless they are commiting a crime, ex. theft, etc)

**berserk** · 01-21-10, 03:57 PM

I've heard "brotherhood" and "family" used interchangeably.

Big, dysfunctional family....

**tapout** · 01-22-10, 11:59 PM

the lesbians in my department refer to other lesbians within the department as "family"...

**pgg** · 01-23-10, 04:23 AM

Originally Posted by tapout

the lesbians in my department refer to other lesbians within the department as "family"...

It seems like "brotherhood" is more common in smaller agencies (fewer then 100 officers) then with others from what I've seen. Around here every officer/deputy knows everyone else.

**RemingtonBPD** · 02-09-10, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by Kimble

I don't buy into the brotherhood thing, personally. Did for a while, but after about 5 years in LE, it's gone by the wayside.

That's not to say I don't believe in backing up my fellow officer, and possibly lying my life down for one, I absolutely do. I just don't look at "all cops" as brothers/sisters/whatever. We're people who do a job. Our job is dangerous, and sometimes calls for us to make sacrifices in dangerous situations (like the military), but having dealt with good cops, bad cops, and just plain lazy cops, I don't see us all as a brotherhoods because I don't see that exhibited in all cops. Rather, it's a job, and I take pride in doing it the best I can because I enjoy it, and back up other officers because that's what I'd expect in return.

Maybe I'm just jaded.

I half agree with you on this one. I think that the "brotherhood" mentality when it comes to not being a buddy f*&cker in the station or sometimes professional courtesy outside of your dept is not really as it use to be. But when it comes to the S hitting the fan time there is little doubt that everyone no matter where they are, we would be looking out for one another. That is the "brotherhood" that should never change.

There are times when I get frustrated (be it from within my dept, or BS outside). and I say to myself "it is just a job". But then I always remind myself that no matter where I am, on duty or off duty, I feel a sense of pride and responsibility to uphold the values and always defend my profession.