Analyzing, categorizing, whatever label you apply to sizing up someone upon first meeting, first impression, no one does it better than a seasoned cop. Analyst are paid thousands of dollars for months of consultation for what a cop has to do in a matter of seconds.  

Screaming, yelling, nostrils flared on a strangers face, a black pen, no a black knife, some object pointing at me. Ahh, I know, it’s a BB pistol. So real I can see the slide mechanism, the safety latch, the release for the magazine. The bright red, yellow and blue flash as a round is fired. So real it feels like I’ve just been kicked in the chest.  

Mistakes are made everyday. Those made by police officers, cops, can be deadly. For him, for her, for you.

Yes, I have walked in their footsteps, stood in their shadows. Been amazed, disappointed, angered by them. Laughed with them. Cried when a brother, a sister journeyed to the other side.  

Cops, pigs in a blanket, police officers, their just everyday people like you and me. 

 Maybe they care more.