Magnet

I was informed by another officer, that I am a "shit magnet."

After my last call on my friday, I attract...or find trouble.
My last call started as a car I knew to be owned by a lady with no insurance, parked in front of a guy's house, Carl, who is suspended and has no insurance.
I see the car, drive by Carl.

Carl pulls of as soon as he sees me start in his direction. He attempts to go behind a business, but I am on the other side. Carl quickly parks and exits the vehicle, Carl doesn't want me in the vehicle or near it.

-Hey Carl, Still suspended?
"Man I just bought this car. Can I have someone get it?"
Carl is inching farther and farther away from the car.
-you off probation?
"yes for about a year."

On the driver's seat sit a small little blue bag. I think it's a dope purse. I ask if I search the car.

"no, I'd rather you not"

Carl is sweating up a storm and moving around alot, more nervous than he ever has been. I pat him down for weapons. Carl has a set of brass knuckles in his back pocket.
-Carl your are not allowed to carry these, especially since you are a felon.
Carl slips into handcuffs

Carl's phone rings. I don't let him answer. Carl begins to sweat more
-Carl can I search the car?
"No"
-Carl, I am going to have inventory it when I impound it. Can I search your car?
"Can I have a smoke? Can I have some water? Can I call my wife?"
-Carl we will get to all of those later. I have always been fair with you right?
"I don't want to catch 13 years, like my buddy did. I want to see my family. My kid is sick"
-Carl, you have got to help yourself out.

I get Carl some water.
"A buddy used my car. I just got it back. He left a gun in the trunk and I moved it to under the front seat. It isn't mine...you can search"

Carl has 2 knives, 1 scanner, a set of binoculars, an unloaded .45 under the driver's seat and the small blue bag contains a needle and a gram of meth.

Carl catches 3 felonies and misdemeanor, and there could be more. I let him smoke and let him call his wife.

Carl ends up at jail, saying hello to familiar staff and inimates he recognises the moment we arrive.

Busy

With extra officers for patrol from SRO's we have been short.
Everyone is taking vacation anticipation of the schedule change August 1.
I have worked 12 out of 14 days. I have worked doubles and overtime.
As of August 1, we will go to 10 hour shifts and I will work 8pm-6am.

Ratio

Another officer tested with another agency and had talk with their chief about volume of calls. He was informed that the department gets 14 calls for service in a week.
I checked my log for that night 17 calls.

The Good fight

With summer comes the 80+ degree weather, comes the battle to stay hydrated and cool. The gear I am wearing heats up the my body. I pack around two bottles of ice cold water, which I go through quickly.

Backing up another officer who is been on a traffic stop for 3 hours, because an alleged violation of a restraining order.
Casandra has kids with Marco. Marco got a restraining order against Casandra, thinking he can harass her and get her into trouble, mainly drunkenly jumping in front of her car and kicking the car.
This time he was drunk and told her to pick up the kids, then called police stating she kidnapped the kids. She was stopped on the way home and for 3 hours sits on the side of the road, while officers sort everything out.

Familiar with Casandra I talk with her while the other officer talks to judges. Casandra's three kids jump around the car. They are polite kids, hungry and thirsty.
The roadside is 90 and the car is hotter.
I offer most of my water bottle for the kids to split and dig into my stash of nature bars to give the kids.