So Many Directions…
I’ve spent the last few weeks trying to figure out in which direction to take this blog.
As readership has grown I’ve felt the need to ensure I’m giving you your times worth when it comes to you popping by for a read. If you are anything like me then your time is a valuable commodity and you are careful in your selection of what to read, what to comment on, what to push to the forefront of importance and what to put on your no-read list.
I, for one, demand great writing when I’m reading someone else’s work, be that work a novel, a magazine article, a newspaper column, a short story or a business proposal. For all the drivel out there, I am humbled when I take in the magic a few select writers have laid down on the page. Everyone has a story to share, but when you get right down to it, some people are simply better storytellers. When touched by such writing I am inspired to try and create my own style, one that educates, motivates, and changes the way people think about law enforcement.
So when I look back at my fifteen years of policing I can not help but realize I am a very different person from the young woman sworn in by Chief Constable Ray Canuel in 1995. Then I was hopeful, my dreams just coming to fruition, my future ahead of me.
Now, even though still hopeful, I have seen humanity at its worst and at its best. I have witnessed greatness and witnessed death. Delirious joy and devastating grief are the extremes, but given the nature of policing the latter is more common than the former. My comrades are the brothers and sisters I never had and I hold them all dear, even the ones I have never met. To be a police officer is to be bonded by the uniform; a uniform that crosses gender, race and religion.
The lessons learned have been hard, sometimes impossibly so, but in the end I am a better person and a better officer because of them. In the end I have succeeded. I am ‘living my dream’.
And those points bring me to this point and the question of where this blog is headed.
Police officers and those who support them make up a large percentage of this blog’s daily readers. I know because of two reasons – the number of comments left on this blog do not directly reflect the number of readers. Why? Because police officers and those who support them are typically the ’silent majority’, the ones who have very strong beliefs but are comfortable enough with themselves and their beliefs to simply process information without having to voice their own opinion on the topic.
I used to be that way as well, if you can believe it, but I finally realized it was okay to have my say and be true to myself. Much the same can be said of fellow police bloggers (see the blog roll to the right of this column) as they are on a similar journey of telling what has so long been secreted behind blue lines. Not everyone agrees with what we say, or even the fact that we say it, and that’s okay too. Differences in opinion are what make this world so spicy and full of life.
So, in trying to find my way, I am asking for some guidance from you, the reader.
Later in the week I will put up a poll (if I can figure out how to do so), where I will ask you what you would like to see more of and less of. This blog is for you and I’d like to know what it is you really want to know.
Keep in mind that even though this blog is my opinion and not that of my department or police board, I will not talk about such things as surveillance, current projects, or cases currently before the courts. To do so would put other officers in harms way, would jeopardize cases and trials, and would, in essence, be career suicide.
Do you want more anecdotes? More facts? More stats?
Or less of these things?
Is there any topic you would like to see addressed? If so, let me know via comment or email and I will add it to the poll for the end of the week.
And remember – comments can be left anonymously – even I won’t know who you are, only that you are FINALLY leaving the rank of blog-lurker. If need be, sign up for a gmail (Google) email account with some crazy/fake username to hide your real identity.
Let me know what you want to hear!
24. January 2010 at 10:10 pm :
I love this blog, I have read every story. I am a student and working towards starting my career as a police officer. I think the blog touches perfectly on every subject. It gives people the inside scoup on what police officers are and what they deal with everyday. Keep up the good work!
24. January 2010 at 10:21 pm :
I love the anecdotes, as they really let those interested in policing see what a day or a call in the life of an officer can be like. Also, I love your writing style for the anecdotes!
25. January 2010 at 2:14 am :
I have only recently found your site and would like to say that it is the balanced mix of fact, opinion and anecdote that I find appealing, presented with an easy writing style. I’m a UK officer with around the same service as you and sites like yours give me a window into my job in other countries, allowing me to explore the diferences and being reassured by the similarities. Keep it up.
25. January 2010 at 5:41 am :
I love this blog as its local. I live in the GVRD area and would love to be a police officer one day soon. What I would live to see is more police stories, how things are in the real world.
PS. I worked in security and I think you came to a call of mine one night in April.
Thank you for writing and sharing.
25. January 2010 at 6:26 am :
Good singers are good because they hit the pitches and nail the rhythms. Great singers are great because they show us how they feel; pitches and rhythm are not that important.
Write what moves you; write what you feel.
25. January 2010 at 7:28 am :
Good point about police officers and comments.
Personally, I like your “war stories.” I think you have a unique eye for experiences on the job that challenge and inspire the rest of us–and you have a talent for telling those tales with words.
I
25. January 2010 at 7:44 am :
As other people have said, I think your blog hits a pretty good balance as it is. I’m a civilian living in Seattle, police work interests me but I know I don’t have the necessary confidence or aggression to work in the field myself. I may try for federal enforcement of some type (they can use computer people, or so I’m told).
I particularly enjoy hearing about Hondo, and what’s involved in training and handling a police dog. As a civilian, I like getting insight into how the police force operates – I’m someone who constantly wants to know ‘why?’ and ‘how?’. I’m also eager to pick up any street smarts that I can.
You write some very moving anecdotes, I can tell from the comments that they ring true with many of your fellow officers. You’re called upon to do things that most people can’t stomach. I’m not sure how to respond to that – I end up with a mixture of admiration that you can stomach it, gratitude that I don’t have to, and sorrow that you have to carry the memories and are only human after all. It’s a sobering reminder of what life looks like – really looks like – outside of my sheltered little world, and perhaps preparation for some day when that carefully constructed shelter will fail.
Thanks for writing.
25. January 2010 at 8:37 am :
I”m easy. I consider my feeds as a pile of rocks with some hidden gems. I sift through it and on some days a certain type of story appeals to me, on another day it’s something different. If you had a “focus” (I actually thought you did!) there would be no surprise for me. That’s why I gravitate towards blogs that just tell me “life”. Some days good, some days not so good, some days boring, some days exciting, but always REAL.
Good luck in your search.
25. January 2010 at 9:56 am :
Dear Sandra,
Like all these others, I think the balance here is very good. I am always struck by the humanity underlying all the entries.
Sometimes you just have tapped-out periods but the show must go on–or at least, I hope it will!
Other topics I can think of are child trafficking, or any international crime,
or a look into how social services interacts with the VPD.
How officers become bilingual, and what languages are currently in need
Cultural awareness training or how it is necessary, which cultures, etc.
Stuff like that
I check your blog daily, for new posts and new comments. You’ve managed to build a beautiful, thoughtful community here. That doesn’t happen by accident.
Ann T.
25. January 2010 at 12:03 pm :
Sandra,
The blog is already excellent. But to answer your question, since many readers are police officer-hopefuls (like myself), I know that we’d appreciate more blogs regarding “what makes a good police officer” and questions like “how does someone know they have what it takes.” Thanks for writing!
Canon
25. January 2010 at 1:04 pm :
Selfishly, I enjoy those posts made for those of us “in front of” the blue line.
I also appreciate your willingness to encourage debate, when civil, particularly when the subject matter can attract the immovable trolls.
25. January 2010 at 1:09 pm :
I like the anecdotes best. Especially the doggie ones, but the others are great too. I’d be really interested to hear about the upcoming Olympics from a police perspective, if you can talk about that.
25. January 2010 at 3:07 pm :
“If it ain’t broke don’t fix it”
The previous comments show that and more.
I like reading everything you write because it gives me the visual of what I am doing from behind 3 computer screens. I don’t quite feel like “just a voice” (with an accent to boot haha).
25. January 2010 at 3:47 pm :
The anecdotes are what interest me the most having recently retired after 25 years with EHS in mid town Vancouver then Langley. I guess I miss the camaraderie had during all those years and some of the funny, tragic and pathetic calls we attended together. Your stories bring back many memories of those days.
Other issues such as community policing, court experiences, police PR and the like appeal to me as well,
Keep up the good work,
Jeff
25. January 2010 at 5:09 pm :
I am subscribed to this blog so I won’t miss a story. I originally went to your blog because 1. You are a dog handler, which has to be the best job In the dept; 2. You are a female police officer with a lengthy amount of time on the job ( I am a also a female officer but with a small amount of service) and 3. We work for the same dept. A female dog handler is rare in the VPD. Even though I don’t like to point out the gender difference, it lurks there in everything we do. I liked your comment that the uniform is a bond thay crosses gender, race and religion.
I like hearing stories about Hondo, about the good old days and anything else you want to share. You are well respected at work and I enjoy reading your insights, perspectives and opinions.
25. January 2010 at 8:28 pm :
I like reading everything that you write. Variety makes the scope of your job very interesting. My favorites are stories about Hondo at home, and what happens on calls, whether it’s “my bank card!” or a victim surviving a horrendous attack. All of the different subjects that you write about are fun to learn from and give people a well-rounded view of what the job entails. Thank you for being a kick-ass female officer!
25. January 2010 at 10:54 pm :
So here’s the deal. I understand completely what you’re saying, and I’ve gone through that same dillema.
Here’s my two cents (2.3 cents in Canadian): Until you’re getting paid for it, write for you. Write what inspires you. Write what moves you.
That in turn, will inspire and move your readers.
And then even if it doesn’t, at least you’ve been you. And that’s something to be proud of.
25. January 2010 at 11:08 pm :
I’ve checked your blog nearly every day since I made the decision to become a police officer, and I look forward to every post. The posts I’ve enjoyed most are your stories from patrol. The reason I come back every day, though, is porbably the variety. I never know what to expect, and it draws me back over and over. One day an extremely deep post about a difficult call, the next a hilarious post about an officer worrying about her hampster-bitten trigger finger!
As a hopefull new recruit, I would like to hear about your first few months on the force, or even your academy days.
Thank you Sandra, for reminding me with every post that this is my dream job, and for calling out to us lurkers to finally speak our minds!
26. January 2010 at 8:02 am :
Like many others, I think your blog strikes a great balance already. Your writing style is very easy to read as well as being very evocative. I’ve been moved in so many ways reading your words.
As a civilian, I value the opportunity learn more about police work and “a day in the life” of a police officer. I’m always interested in “how” and “why,” and am often curious about “what’s it like to…” I find your blog fascinating and very down-to-earth.
Finally, as a female in a non-traditional career (engineering), I enjoy reading about other women’s experiences at work. Gender shouldn’t matter, and sometimes it doesn’t, but sometimes it creeps subtly in. Reading about how your uniform crosses gender, race, and religious lines gives me hope.
27. January 2010 at 12:28 pm :
Hi Sandra,
I was first drawn to your blog when I was searching for information on other Dog Teams throughout the country. But I keep coming back because of each and every story. I like reading about Police Dog Hondo and your adventures together, and I also like reading about police work in general. I work for a different Law Enforcement Agency so it’s great to get another persepctive. In my line of work, I have enjoyed liaising with the VPD and when visiting, the officers have been very hospitable. We have had escourted tours of Vancouver’s east side which is always an eye opener. I have a great respect for what you do!
Thanks very much for sharing!!
27. January 2010 at 1:55 pm :
I think you’re already doing a great job. Cops have the best stories and this blog really shows that. The best part about this blog in my view are your stories from work, every time I read one it just makes me want to go into this profession more and more. Keep up the good work and thanks a lot!
28. January 2010 at 2:52 pm :
Hi, Sandra:
It sure is interesting to read various stories. But what is missing, and it is mostly directed at VPD in general than you, are the attempts to vividly and consistently educate the public about the consequences of choices people make.
Write about a drug addict, about his parents who hoped he would make something of himself when he was a child, then write about his decisions to escape the reality by taking drugs, and how he now walks around the rainy Vancouver streets to find soggy cigarette butts to smoke, or to steal something when he can to sell for 10% of the value on the open-air thief market in DTES.
Write about drug dealers. How they hope to get rich quick. How they kill people with their “product.” How pathetic their lives are, full of fear of police, rip offs by fellow dealers, shootings from a rival gang.
Stuff like that, please.
30. January 2010 at 5:01 am :
My suggestion is to continue to write for yourself. The best authors never imagine their works would be popular because they are so personal. They are about what is in their heart at the time. If you write to please others you lose something.
So I say don’t even bother with a poll. Keep writing about what you feel like. Obviously, your senses are pretty good anyway because you have a dedicated following.
30. January 2010 at 7:32 pm :
I am fairly new to your blog and enjoy it very much. I say keep up the good work. I enjoy it all. As a fellow dog handler the only thing I especially enjoy reading about your work with your dog.
5. February 2010 at 10:03 am :
I’m glad there are so many comments here. This is a great blog, balanced and insightful. Looking forward to the poll.
Keep up the great work!