New Governor... and seemingly a new attitude?

[countybear]

Last night, a few from my shift were assigned an escort and security detail to welcome the newly elected Governor of our State, Bobby Jindal, to a speaking engagement at a local plantation home. I was assigned to reserve secure parking for the Governor and his security team, standby at the engagement, then escort them out of the area once completed.

As the Governor's vehicle neared, a small group of folks stepped out of the rear doors of the hall to meet and greet him, but he only exchanged a few words with them as he exited the vehicle. He stopped, turned, and walked some 150 feet up the driveway alone, away from the greeters, away from his security team, and away from the entrance to the hall... right up to the three local deputies (my sergeant, another deputy, and myself), who had escorted him in and reserved his parking and entrance route.

As he approached, we honestly looked around to see where he might be going or what could have attracted his attention, it didn't strike us until he neared that he was walking up to us. It was then that he quietly and firmly greeted each one of us, shaking our hand and thanking us for our service, both to the community and to him personally that night. You could see over his shoulder that his actions were rather unexpected, even by his security team, who followed him at a distance, then stopped short when they realized what he was doing.

Jindal complimented us on our professionalism and handling of the escort in, humbly saying that he didn't really feel like he deserved all the fanfare, but that it was certainly appreciated. He spoke somberly about the recent losses of officers in New Orleans and Shreveport, then said, "Guys, please be careful out there. Get home to your families, that is the most important thing. People really don't realize the kind of situations you guys face, but I know it is really dangerous for you. Please be safe."

There were no cameras, no press members taking notes, no witnesses to speak of, just the Governor and three cops. After politely excusing himself to return to the hall, he turned and walked back up the driveway. As he walked away, I could only comment to my Sergeant, "I think we might actually have a Governor."

Little things mean a lot in my opinion. None of us expected to be thanked, or even addressed personally by him, but the fact that he would make the effort to walk all the way up that driveway just to shake our hands and let us know he appreciated what we did meant quite a lot. We are all conditioned to look upon politicians with some suspicion, and a cynical mind would question the sincerity of anything said by a Louisiana politician, especially. But I must also admit, that if Jindal's actions and words that evening were not in earnest, he had me at "hello", just because of the effort he put forth in making three cops feel like the new man at the helm of an often-troubled State recognizes and endears those who devotedly serve its people.

/rant off

[Five-0]

That was good to hear. Hope he works out for y'all.

[cajunguy]

Definitely a change from the former "Guv".

My most "endearing" experience with her was just before she announced that she would run for Governor.

I was doing an off-duty thingy at a local restaurant and she and her hub, came in to eat. I walked past their table less than five feet away, in uniform (fairly recognizable), and she didn't even acknowledge that I existed.

Now understand that I have known this "lady" for a number of years, plus my Sheriff is a close friend of theirs, and I am very obviously in his department's uniform.

What really chapped my nads, was about two weeks later, AFTER she announced that she was running for Governor, she and hub were back at the same restaurant, and when I walked by, it was "Ohhh, heeeey. How are you doooooing?" all oozy and mushy-like.

Needless to say, I felt like in her lap.

And no, due to this I did not vote for her.

Policiticans!

.

[Pudge]

Good to hear CB, maybe he'll make about 49 phone calls to other states and have them spread the love.

[dkpd1384]

Good to hear yall have someone that appears to be half way decent now. I have a cousin working in Lake Charles and her son works with the state patrol there. Havent seen them in awhile but I am sure they will be alot better off with the new GOV

[mavriktu]

I didn't actually meet him ,but during the "storm" he was down here and made a LOT of things happen for our dept. that were all good.He seems to be very PRO ,LE.From talking to several guys that did meet/greet,they said he seemed to be very shy/humble.

We can only hope,of course after nervous break down Nelly,I would take Buddy back

[kjlaw]

During Police week this past year while in DC we had set it up to tour the capitol with his interns as guides after the tour we went back to his office and since it was the birthday of one of the sons of the fallen officer whose family we were with his staff had made abirthday cake. We sat in his office with him and he talked to us for an hour. his staff had made gift bags for the boys but did not know my daughter was with the group. When Bobby Jindal saw that she did not get a bag he called his cleark in t go get her one also.
I have spoken to him on a few other occasion under different circumstances and I find that he is the real deal.

Yes Mav he is very humble and PRO LE 100%

[lewisipso]

I certainly hope so. If he slaps even a few career politicians around with his supposed ethics issues I'll be deeply impressed. But I doubt it. Money talks to well. And if he isn't into money the political pressure will shut the door real quick. This is, after all, Louisiana.

[Morris]

When you are done with Bobby, please send him up to Washington. We could use him.

[Shoestring]

Our Gov is good when it comes to Police and Education, cant really complain there.

CB you are not actually having a rant for once, it is called Praise Like you said, its the little things that count, Just for him to take a moment and thank you shows what kind of person he is. Hopefully he will do well in office, sounds like he is on your side!

[cntryboy0531]

Our govenor is a putz. The new tax cut he just had pushed through is going to rape the dog shit out of LE and Fire agency's. We are looking at budget cuts in the millions. Programs will be cut, no new hiring, no cost of living adjustments in pay, etc.. RAAAAPPPPPEEE

[Twan007]

I've heard the same thing from quite a few folks... now granted, it was inauguration day... which is a photo op all day long... but after hearing that CB, it makes me thing that he was really being sincere

glad to know that we might have someone with their head screwed on right up there now

[Sgt. Slaughter]

I've been nothing but please from what I've seen of Gov. Jindal. You guys got a keeper. One or two terms and he'll be pushed to run for POTUS. I'm sure the Republicans are already chomping at the bit to use him on a national level.

[Captain America]

I experienced the same thing from him during the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav, Chris. We had secured the football field at COPAC for his helicopter when it landed for his tour of the area. When he returned to the field after the tour , he made a point of individually shaking hands with every one in uniform and told us we were doing one helluva job. In my opinion it wasn't fake and it wasn't forced. My BS detector for that sort of thing is acute.

[Xiphos]

The more I hear about him the more I like him. Can we trade?

[pgg]

Send him here... maybe he can slap the shit out of our governor

[IMachU]

DO NOT send him to Calif....the state doesn't deserve him. Just keep him there, and I'll be enroute in 5 years.

[CTR man]

Send him here... maybe he can slap the shit out of our governor

So what has our "dear governor" done this time. I've been out of the loop. Has his democratic Kennedy wife been influencing him again? Maybe Chuck Norris needs to intervene and show him how its done..