Oh No, Mr Policeman!
Discussion
As an ex-copper myself I read this a few weeks back and assuming there's some truth in it I don't think it's quite as amazing as some comments suggest.
Am I surprised that he got himself so desperate while waiting to be relieved? Not really, it was a common enough occurrence in my day and probably still is now. There are never enough breaks at events like that.
Am I surprised he didn't know where to find a loo? Again, not really. Especially if you're unfamiliar with the area.
What does surprise me though is that he didn't actually ask someone where the nearest toilet could be found. I don't get why he wouldn't have asked a senior officer or a colleague rather than wandering off cross-legged in the hope of finding somewhere. It's embarrassing to ask but more embarrassing not to find somewhere in time.
However, I showed the story this afternoon to my son who's been in the job for a few years now and he just shrugged his shoulders and didn't seem particularly surprised. He suggested that quite a lot of young coppers he comes into contact with don't seem to have a lot of gumption or initiative - unless it's written on the back of their hand. He also said that the guy could have been a special and he reckons the calibre of some of those officers isn't of the highest quality.
It's a sorry story and I feel sympathy for him because it must have been a horrible experience for him. But my son's comments are a bit of a sad indictment too.
Am I surprised that he got himself so desperate while waiting to be relieved? Not really, it was a common enough occurrence in my day and probably still is now. There are never enough breaks at events like that.
Am I surprised he didn't know where to find a loo? Again, not really. Especially if you're unfamiliar with the area.
What does surprise me though is that he didn't actually ask someone where the nearest toilet could be found. I don't get why he wouldn't have asked a senior officer or a colleague rather than wandering off cross-legged in the hope of finding somewhere. It's embarrassing to ask but more embarrassing not to find somewhere in time.
However, I showed the story this afternoon to my son who's been in the job for a few years now and he just shrugged his shoulders and didn't seem particularly surprised. He suggested that quite a lot of young coppers he comes into contact with don't seem to have a lot of gumption or initiative - unless it's written on the back of their hand. He also said that the guy could have been a special and he reckons the calibre of some of those officers isn't of the highest quality.
It's a sorry story and I feel sympathy for him because it must have been a horrible experience for him. But my son's comments are a bit of a sad indictment too.
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