Careerism

In my initial post I talked about being about as high up the food chain as I intended to go. I am a patrol sergeant in my department, and as it stands now, I can't imagine doing anything else. On top of that, I work nights (affectionately referred to by nocturnal cops as "dogwatch). I have enough seniority to work days, but I couldn't have it. I have no doubt that I would be fired in the first three days. A lot of things come into play on days - moronic calls and the moronic citizens that make them, increased traffic, and the inter - office crap of days, where political correctness rules supreme.

I tried my hand as the detective sergeant, and I have never been so miserable in a job in my life. I didn't become a cop to sit behind a desk and work 9 to 5, although it never ceases to amaze me how many of my colleagues do aspire to that.

I have never tried to get promoted beyond where I am now. The next position up has absolutely no attraction for me, and even though there has been 3 opportunities for advancement, I have not even tried.

And then, just to upset my little apple cart, I had a nice talk with a friend, Stephany Good. Stephany has never been one to mince her words. She told me to get off my ass and consider advancement. Not necessarily in my department, but look at possibly becoming a chief somewhere.

I have to admit that it is intriguing. I would have to be a chief of a smaller agency, though...because I still have the street in my blood. I'd be out in the squad as much as I could, and I think that it would be easier in a smaller agency. Besides, how cool would it be when some dirtball says "I'm gonna complain to your chief"and I could reply "I AM the chief - ASSHOLE!"