Trending Topics

A love letter to police officers

The following is an actual letter written by the girlfriend of a cop who sent it along to P1 for you to enjoy

letterart.jpg

AP Image

Editor’s Note: This week’s PoliceOne First Person essay is a letter written by Susie Lipinski, the girlfriend of a police officer. She wrote the letter to no one in particular, expressing her thoughts about the public perception of law enforcement and what it’s like knowing an officer in a time when the profession isn’t so glorified. She stuck the letter inside her boyfriend Adam’s birthday card, and he sent it along to PoliceOne for you to enjoy.

By Susie Lipinski, Police1 Special Contributor

I didn’t know much about cops before I began dating one. Everyone in my family had taken a similar career route of business: accounting or law. In fact, I don’t think I personally knew even one police officer.

That all changed on May 4, 2012 when I went on my first date with Adam. When this 6-foot-four, dark haired, dark eyed stud told me he was a police officer, the first thought that went through my head was “...sexy.”

Now, more than two years later, I know it’s so much more than that.

Growing up, I viewed police officers as those who got the bad guys, and those who you were supposed to turn to if you needed help. They were all good guys, and they were always there to protect us. It never occurred to me that others may feel differently. I’ll never forget my first interaction with someone who did. Adam and I had been dating for over a year, and we had just moved in together the week before. I was out of town at an event for work, and someone asked me what my boyfriend did for work.

“He’s a police officer,” I said proudly as I watched her face change from inquisitive to disgusted.

“Oh. You know, I was pulled over the other month by the rudest cop. I wasn’t even doing anything wrong and he kept following me with his sirens on until I pulled over.”

I’ll never forget the feeling of defensiveness I had to stifle in order to move on from this conversation. “Of course you were doing something wrong, lady, or he wouldn’t have pulled you over,” I thought to myself.

As she walked away, I realized how bad of a reputation cops can get, and I feel it’s time I share my opinion on the matter.

Every time I hear anyone complain about cops, say they’re ‘too forceful’ or ‘too aggressive,’ a part of me hurts. Though I always had a positive view of the police, I never really understood all they go through. Yes, they chose this profession. Yes, they get paid for it. No one’s forcing them to be there (except when they literally are forced to stay overnight, when too many people called out for the midnight shift and they’ve already worked 16 hours, so really, what’s an extra eight?).

But I urge you, the next time you have a hard day at work, ask yourself: did it involve prying a hysterical child away from its drugged-out mother? Did it involve responding to yet another domestic disturbance and seeing a woman’s fresh bruises? Did it involve approaching an unfamiliar car, unsure if the driver is armed and ready to fire?

Probably not.

Simply put, Adam is the best person I know. I’ve never met someone so selfless and who willingly does so much for others before himself. He sees it as his duty to protect and serve, all hours of the day, seven days a week. It doesn’t matter if he’s on duty or in uniform; he’ll constantly be keeping an eye on the status quo wherever he is.

It wasn’t long into our relationship when I automatically began picking the seat at the restaurant table that placed my back to the door, so he could face it. Always face the door. I learned he feels naked when he doesn’t have his gun on him. I also learned it’s his, and all cops’, duty to protect and serve beyond their normal work shift. If they see something, they have to intervene. Armed or not, without their vest. Would you want your boyfriend/husband/son/father doing so without a weapon on his hip?

I learned he’ll limit his drinking so he can be the designated driver on our nights out, leaving me to happily consume all the wine I want and not have to worry about getting home safely. I learned he’ll do so even on the night of his best friend’s wedding so he’s sure they get home safe.

I learned he worries about me more than I ever knew. While most couples’ goodbyes in the morning consist of “have a good day, I love you,” ours have the extra inclusion of “please be safe” tacked on the end.

I learned he’s concerned about waiting too long to have children because of the risks his career carries. I also learned he can’t imagine himself doing anything else for the rest of his life; this is it.

While some view cops as uneducated public servants, I’m motivated by the fact that he’ll have earned his Master’s four years before I earn mine.

I feel his strong sighs of exhaustion as he crawls into bed at 0300, holding on to me with such force it’s like I’d fall away from him if he let go. I see him struggle to beat colds and stay healthy because his sleep schedule is inconsistent at best. In the nearly two and a half years we’ve been together, we’ve spent one Thanksgiving together, one Valentine’s Day, one 4th of July and no Christmases. And that’s pretty good. Though we’ve been lucky enough to spend both New Years’ together, that will end this year.

I’ve seen him miss holidays with his family, boys’ weekends away with his brother, friends’ birthdays. Sometimes we go days without seeing each other beyond when one comes to bed and the other wakes up for work the next morning.

I’ve watched him push through a rigorous 21-week police academy with a broken bone in his back. I watch him go to work each day knowing there’s nothing that can be done to fix it, and he’ll deal with pain the rest of his life.

I also got the honor of watching him graduate from the academy as a squad leader — a title only eight out of 60 recruit officers received. I watched him take his oath to protect and serve, and thought how lucky I am to have him by my side protecting me, too.

I know people won’t always see what I see. I know they won’t magically change their perspective. While I don’t know what the future will bring, I do know one thing for certain: I am the luckiest girl in the world. I wouldn’t trade our lives for anything, and I will continue to be fiercely proud of my police officer every single day.

The contents of First Person essays solely reflect the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Police1 or its staff. First Person essays shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes. Reference to any specific commercial products, process, or service by name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply any endorsement or recommendation. To submit a First Person essay, follow the instructions on the Police1 Article Guidelines for Authors page.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU