Police Stories

Jason Cherkis (“The Insider’s Guide to Real Policing,” 8/16) failed to offer an accurate portrayal of an officer’s day. He forgot being hit by vehicles, being spit on, having people vomit (or worse) in the squad car, getting verbal abuse from just about everyone, including other officers, working all night and then waiting in court until 2 p.m. for a case to come up and then having to go back to work in four hours, and, most of all, waiting a year and a half for the raises he speaks of.

While I appreciate Cherkis’ attempt at satire, I invite him to ride along with a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer, possibly one of the 10-percenters he mentions in his article. As in any profession, including journalism, there are slouches and lazy workers. The MPD is no different, and I refuse to make excuses for those officers. However, his estimates are a little off. According to an officer I know quite well, 10 percent/30 percent/60 percent is a better estimate. The 30 percent represents officers who are in the middle of the spectrum and the 60 percent, obviously, the lazy ones.

The officer I know so well is my husband. All of the things mentioned above have happened to him, most in a single week. However, he continues to go to work every night. He actually loves his job and enjoys going to work!

I think Cherkis should have asked former Executive Assistant Chief Terrance Gainer why the MPD is recruiting so actively. Is it because these 60 percent of officers are forcing the other 10 percent/30 percent to do all the work? We have many friends who left because of the treatment officers receive.

Frederick, Md.