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Paul
Harvey, a noted commentator and journalist ( FBI Law Enforcement
Bulleting, January 1968): "
What
is a policeman made of? -
He, of all men, is at once the most needed and the most unwanted.
He's
a strangely nameless creature who is 'sir' to his face and 'fuzz'
behind his back.
He
must be such a diplomat that he can settle differences between
individuals so that each will think he won.
But...
If
the policeman is neat, he's conceited; if he's careless, he is
a bum.
If
he's pleasant, he's a flirt; if he's not, he's a grouch.
He
must make in an instant decision, which would require months for
a lawyer.
But...
If
he hurries, he's careless; if he deliberate, he's lazy.
He
must be first to an accident and infallible with a diagnosis.
He
must be able to start breathing, stop bleeding, the splints and,
above all be sure the victim goes home without a limp.
Or
expect to be sued.
The
police officer must know every gun, draw on his turn, and hit
where it doesn't hurt.
He
must be able to whip two men twice his size and half his age without
damaging his uniform and without being 'brutal'.
If
you hit him, he's a coward; if he hits you, he's a bully.
A
policeman must know everything - and not tell.
He
must know where all the sin is - and not partake.
The
Policeman must, from a single human hair, be able to describe
the crime, the weapon and the criminal and tell where the criminal
is hiding.
But...
If
he catches the criminal he's lucky; if he doesn't, he's a dunce.
If
he gets promoted, he has political pull; if he doesn't, he's a
dullard.
The
police man must chase bum leads to a dead end, stake out 10 nights
to tag one witness who saw it happen - but refuses to remember.
He
runs files and writes reports until his eyes ache to build a case
against some felon who'll get deled out by a shameless shamus
or an 'honourable' who isn't.
The
policeman must be a minister, a social worker, a diplomat, a tough
guy, and a gentleman.
And
of course he'll have to be genius . . .
for
he'll have to feed a family on a policeman's salary."
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