I Am The Officer

[Selous]

First and foremost, I am not the author of this poem, it's author is unknown, and I claim no rights to it, and if I knew the author, would ask their permission. I am posting it here as quite recently, Australia held it's National Police Remembrance Day, a day of remembrance for all police officers who have died on duty. This poem features frequently in the associated services. It talks about what people expect of them, how they are often treated, taken for granted, etc, and then how if most people were offered the chance to be a cop for a day, they would refuse.

"I am the Officer"

I have been where you fear to be,
I have seen what you fear to see,
I have done what you fear to do -
All these things I have done for you.

I am the person you lean upon,
The one you cast your scorn upon,
The one you bring your troubles to -
All these people I've been for you.

The one you ask to stand apart,
The one you feel should have no heart,
The one you call "The Officer in Blue,"
But I'm just a person, just like you.

And through the years I've come to see,
That I am not always what you ask of me;
So, take this badge ... take this gun ...
Will you take it ... will anyone?

And when you watch a person die
And hear a battered baby cry,
Then do you think that you can be
All these things you ask of me?