You know, my world can be a strange mix sometimes, and consequently, I am not sure if I should share this as I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable here. For example, I realize not everyone likes guns, or even law enforcement. If so, please feel free to let me know, and I won't share anymore of it in the future.
For now though, even though I am retired, I am still occasionally in contact with people who are still active law enforcement. More specifically, I was also a firearms instructor, and some of my LE buddies would still ask me for gun advice from time to time.
A quick word about the LE community: Generally speaking, we are very, very bad at financial stuff. The focus is always the quality of the gear, regardless of the price. Can't afford it? Just have to work more overtime or moonlight until we can. Or better yet, "It is better to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission." I don't agree with that of course, but for many out there, it's scripture.
Not to say every cop is like that, but let's just say I don't generally talk to them about being a fruggie, as many would think I have lost my mind. (I can just see some of their weirded out expressions, if I ever complained to them about a $5 cabbage.)
However, sometimes, the LE path and the fruggie path can and do cross in beneficial ways. A buddy of mine recently asked me for advice on a conceal carry pistol. And sure, I could make all kinds of suggestions, but then, I decided to recommend something very affordable. I don't want to bore you guys with the details (about the PSA Dagger), but the takeaway here is, I managed to talk him into looking into a cheaper option in order to help him save a few hundred dollars.
However, I didn't exactly tell him that. I learned a long time ago that you can't sell affordability to cops. You have to be more like an used car salesman, emphasizing practicality and value... and if at all possible, even a bit of charm and mystique. I told them they're going to lose the gun to evidence anyway, so why bother carry something expensive and nice? Plus, the Dagger isn't a horribly ugly gun... in the right light....
I don't really have much of a point to this entry, other than to say I felt mildly proud that I managed to help someone save a few hundred bucks. Well, if anything, I am very concerned for their financial future. Yes, they do have decent benefits, 401(k), SS and all that. However, most of them are still not going to have anything to show for retirement, beyond what was required of them. Generally speaking, most of their idea of a financial strategy is forming a list of things they want to buy in case they win the lottery, or better yet, hoping their crypto coins are going to rebound spectacularly.
Despite of it all, there are some really good cops out there, and I hope they land into retirement OK. For all that they've done to actually help keep the streets safe, these ones deserve some peace and joy for a change.
February 23rd, 2026 at 01:50 pm 1771854640
February 23rd, 2026 at 05:38 pm 1771868294
Even within my personal area of experience, I can’t help but notice the slow but sure tectonic shift within the LE community towards the embrace and normalization of radical right ideology. I still remember details such as high ranking individuals casually walking around the office sipping in QAnon or MAGA coffee mugs while joking (but not joking) about how it was the Clintons and the Democrat cabal behind the death of Jeffrey Epstein. Or how some of my fellow coworkers actually got visibly angry when Biden won the last presidency. Stuff like that.
Whatever happened to professional integrity? You know, proof before pursuit? Being a neutral arbiter of street law? Sadly, the vast majority of LE, and the military by extension, are currently on board the MAGA train, and don’t even think twice about how that may be polluting their minds.
Unfortunately, that also put me at odds with many of them. Yes, I mentioned I have a few buddies still in, but many more than not, I have… not enemies… but let’s just say they don’t invite me to their poker games or cook outs. And those that are more professional or aligned with my own thinking (not Leftist per se, but more just tired of all the office or political BS and just want to make the paycheck and go home), we mostly keep our mouth shut so as to not rock that boat. I may have also been passed up certain opportunities and promotions because of this, though I can’t prove it directly, but there are some rather peculiar coincidences, but I don’t want to be too conspiratorial either.
Suffice it to say, and with a somewhat heavy heart, I am glad I left and I was happier for it. For all of its flaws, there were so many flashes of utter brilliance and gallantry in motion. They may have been a wayward family, but they were my wayward family.
Ok sorry for this rambling, but circling back to savings, sadly I think a major part of the problem is that most in LE simply do not value or prioritize financial responsibility. I can’t help but feel it’s more of a choice thing than a comprehension thing, though some do not have college education, and I only knew one guy that eventually got a MBA. I try to tell anyone and everyone who would listen to save themselves by embracing a better ideology: Saving and investing. My personal mantra is “Financial self defense is the ultimate street self defense.” Yes, maybe it’s that used car salesman in me bubbling up to the surface again, but I know I am not wrong in this, and I hope they will be able to save themselves.
February 23rd, 2026 at 06:20 pm 1771870809
The only time I was ever in a police car was when an officer gave me a ride home from the bus after a snowstorm!
My experience with the police in Boston is the same - they are responsive and always out and about at events and protests keeping us safe. We are fortunate that community outreach is a huge part of our policing.
I cut police a lot of slack because day to day they see the worst of society - only thing worth I think is probably prison guard. I subscribe to having different types of responders because every situation doesn’t need a police response.
The same year as the Boston Marathon bombing - when our law enforcement performed magnificently - school bus drivers went on strike without notice and the police went around to pick kids up at bus stops and took them to school! The next week, they did their usual work staffing elections. Full service!
ICE is a whole different thing. The recruitment standards, training, mission are not anything we have ever seen or should ever accept as normal.
That’s my two cents.
February 23rd, 2026 at 08:49 pm 1771879767
February 23rd, 2026 at 08:52 pm 1771879952
My town's anti-fascist group works pretty closely with the police, who control traffic when we're demonstrating our first amendment rights. Of course, my town is about 88% white so I doubt there would be any ICE confrontations here, but who knows.
February 24th, 2026 at 07:56 pm 1771962960
Most of the officers I know personally are good folks and do a fine job. But I do have one in particular who definitely has the issue with money. My mom and dad had an antique shop. This officer would frequent it and would often buy vintage stuff. My dad would give him a discount since they were friendly. However, things got out of control as far as this person's spending. He admitted that he and his wife had to go to the bank because they had maxed out their credit cards (my dad was cash/check only -- small time business) and they would get a consolidation loan to pay off the cards. After doing this a few times, you'd think they'd learn, quit spending so much. But nope. Once they paid off their credit cards and could again charge, that's what they did as well as make payments on the loan and then complain about how tight money was. Sadly, this person didn't put money aside for retirement, counting on pension and Social Security and now he struggles. His wife died which cut down on how much money was coming in, but prices continue to rise and his income isn't going up to match it. I'm sure he's not alone.