I have been a police officer for seven years. I have worked for agencies in the New Orleans metropolitan area before coming to Loyola, and in that time, have seen my share of sights that most people only read or hear about.
Every police officer has his or her pet peeves. Some have a pet peeve against littering. Others have pet peeves against drugs or domestic violence or theft. These are crimes and are all punishable according to the law. My major pet peeve is drunk driving.
Have you ever heard a conversation about driving while intoxicated? It usually goes something like this: “Blah, blah, blah … whatever you do, don’t blow into that machine!” What’s wrong with this picture? Why do people find it so important to look out for numero uno? The fact that someone was irresponsible enough to get behind the wheel of a car after he or she has been drinking alcohol and put others at risk doesn’t seem to matter.
Let’s pretend it’s you so that I can remain in second person. What happens when the police stop you and detect that you have been drinking? All of a sudden, the cop is a jerk. The cop must have nothing better to do. That donut-eating so and so is taking his bad day out on you. Poor you! You wonder why the cop is embarrassing you by asking you to do all of these ridiculous things like walking a straight line and following the tip of his pen with your eyes. How dare he?
But what about what you’ve done? Crime seems like such a harsh and ugly word when you are the offender. That word is for low-lives who do nothing to contribute to society. You have a certain idea in your mind of what a criminal is and looks like.
Guess what. The next time you drink and drive, take a good look in the mirror because that handsome or pretty face staring back at you is a very real criminal. You are subject to pay the consequences of your actions. When you are out with friends and having a few drinks, try being just a little more responsible and I’ll bet you, the police will be pulling someone else over along that road home. I’ll bet one of your thoughts will be, “I wonder what that guy did,” rather than “That guy is innocent and those cops are worthless.” I hate to use the old cliche, but it’s so true.
Things are always different when the shoe is on the other foot.Try asking yourself “What if?” – “What if I’m impaired and don’t even realize it?” “What if I were to hit someone?”
Try to get past the “What if something happens to me?” or “What if I get stopped?” question and wonder, “What if someone else gets hurt?” I don’t want to see anyone get hurt, but honestly, the last person I am concerned about is the drunk driver.
He (or she) gave up the right to be top priority when they made the decision to act so stupidly. Of course, a police officer has sworn in and taken an oath to serve and protect all individuals no matter what the status of the offense.
Therefore, personal opinions don’t have any bearing while in uniform. But you can be darn sure that I have my own opinions about your lack of regard for everyone around you.
The following is a true story without too many specific details in order to protect those involved in this tragedy. There was a vehicle traveling down a long, one-way road. The driver and all three passengers were drunk. The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed, causing the vehicle to go up in flames.
The police got there immediately, and tried to talk to the three people who escaped from the burning vehicle, but they were pretty intoxicated. In fact, they were so caught up in their drunken stupor that they didn’t let the police know that they had a friend who was still in there. The fire department found his lifeless, charred body in the vehicle once the fire was out.
Those people no longer ask themselves, “What if …?” Sadly they must say, “If only …”
Sarah Goodwin is a mass communication junior and police officer for University Police, and can be reached at [email protected].
