fair enough but it sounds like that only happened to you once in how many years: if you were every day or most days risking life and limb then your comments stand but how frequent were such situations?
As an average I got assaulted probably several times a year, like most coppers do. Most were minor, and being a "unit" or "swede" even some of the more serious ones weren't so bad. Got 8 stitches in my hand as a result of being attacked with a knife in 2003, just for being a copper. Asidie from the scar I fully recovered from that. How many out there have had someone attempt to murder them while at work?
Been run over deliberately twice - once in a car, and fortunately I went over it and not under. Second time I was deliberately run over by a stolen motorbike - very luckily that went over my chest and my body armour took the brunt of that. Ached a bit the next day but survived. How many out there have been seriously assaulted, multiple times, just for doing a job?
How many out there get assaulted numerous minor times each year, just for being a job?
Given CPR to dying people many times. The hardest thing I have ever done in my life is to tell the Father of a 13 year old girl that I did my best, but when the Death came calling I wasn't good enough. I'd like to see Mr Moanache carry that burden for the rest of his life.
But overall it wasn't an especially remarkable career. Legions of bobbies out there did and still do the same. Even jn redent history, some have died trying. How many accountants or HR officers have died at work protecting the public lately? None I suspect, but I don't go on a public forum and berate them as individuals over it.
Dragged 2 x toddlers from a burning house, getting myself hospitalised with severe smoke inhalation injuries. I got a supernintendos commendation for that - the same year a female ACPO rank officer in our Force got the Queens Policing Medal for doing nothing more dangerous than driving a desk.
It's all cool. I did it because I genuinely wanted to contribute to society, make the proverbial difference, improve some lives for the better, maybe even save a life. Those reasons are personal to me, and me alone. When I meet my maker I can look him in the eye and tell him I really tried.
I dont seek respect, admiration hero worship. None of that is important, you can't eat it or buy stuff with it. What I do expect is the society I so served selflessly for over 3 decades to at least keep a civil tongue when addressing indivuduals officers, particularly moaners that have never themselves made a positive contribution to the lives of others. No, if there's anyone who should be ashamed of themselves it's societies moaners and complainers, who are usually also societies lowest NET moral contributors.