Funny moment as a fancy pants detective: couple of neighbors want to meet outside to talk about some threats. I make sure to grab my mask. Never forget my mask. We are required to wear a mask. Don’t forget. So I don’t forget. I go outside. And try to take notes but forgot a pen..

So I listen to them and it’s a complicated tale of betrayal. I read all the threats & then I literally go line by line saying how it doesn’t meet the elements of criminal/terroristic threat. And they were just satisfied. I mean it. They just wanted clarity. And to be listened to

It’s nothing dramatic & that’s the point. It’s all the stuff in between the drama that we police must maximize. A lot of it comes from knowing & I mean really knowing the laws. Talk to the prosecutors AND defense attorneys. Learn. And then be patient. And empathetic. That’s it

‘We all matter or none of us do’ isn’t just ‘why’ someone should want to be a local cop (or insert any profession). It’s also ‘how’ to be a local cop. The trick is there is no trick. We all matter or none of us do. In all things. That’s it.