Open forum
When I met Noah in college, he was the guy everybody loved: easygoing, kind, funny, quick to laugh. He's still that guy, but people who didn't know him then have a hard time seeing him that way. Why? When they find out he's a cop, the natural progression of creating a relationship changes. Noah's profession makes people uncomfortable.
They remember complaining about the cop who pulled them over for speeding. They don't know how to respond to tragedy within the police community. They assume he's scrutinizing them, because the cops are supposedly out to bust everybody.
Conversations either fall flat, or revolve around his job.
So I want to hear from you. I'm inviting discussion for a reason (a little unscientific research), but if you really want answers, we'll be happy to give them.
For those of you who are officers or family of officers, what's your take on this? Can you even remember what life was like before you were part of this community?
For those of you who aren't officers or family of officers, what are you interested in knowing about police life? What are the questions you'd like to ask but would feel weird about asking if, say, you met an off-duty officer at a party or a coffee shop or church? Or what TV cop show facts would you like confirmed or debunked? (Hint: I don't know of any officers or detectives who use a shoulder holster.)
Readysetgo.
P.S. I'll thank you in the acknowledgments for being my guinea pigs.