Law enforcement
Charlie on patrol
|
The badge
|
NYPD Blue
|
|
I am sure that having a British accent in the US is a useful tool for getting away with cheeky requests. To illustrate, I have a few stories to share with you about some of my more audacious ‘asks’ of America’s law enforcement community.
In 1995 I think, in Woodstock, during a day off from camp, Steve Parker and I met and got chatting to a policeman called Charlie. Now Woodstock is famous for peace, love, hippies and being laid back. It was almost incongruous to see police cars doing the rounds in this ‘chilled’ town. Charlie was in his squad car when Steve and I went up to say hello. He was no doubt slightly amused to be engaged in conversation with a Brit and a Kiwi but to his credit he gave us some time.
At some point I said that I loved the police badge sewn into the sleeve of his shirt and that it would be cool to have one as a souvenir. The next thing that happened was just brilliant. Charlie said meet me at the station in a few minutes. Steve and I duly barrelled up and Charlie presented each of us with our own badge. Nineteen years later, I still have mine and it is pictured for your enjoyment. It was a little thing of little consequence but Charlie was a real trooper (that’s an intentional play on words) and I am very grateful – that day he made my day.
In New York City whilst travelling after camp (in 1994 this time), I was in the financial district of Manhattan. That was the day I went up the twin towers - it’s still hard to believe they are not there anymore.
Anyway, there was a squad car parked up and I wandered up to it and, in my best dulcet London tones, asked if it would be okay to have my picture taken in it. The state troopers in the car just said ‘okay’. One got out, I climbed into his seat and the policeman took the picture with my camera. I was well pleased with that souvenir too – here’s the shot – how many of you have had the bare faced cheek to request such a thing? It was fun for me and it was no doubt an amusing tale for the coppers to take home and tell their families!
The last tale to regale is once that took place in Canada in 1994 at the Canadian Exhibition of that year. Roads were closed to traffic in the vicinity of the expo and at one closed junction a couple of troopers were standing by their Harleys. I went up to the chaps and asked if it would be okay to have my picture taken on one of their bikes. Once again the copper said ‘yes’ and the resulting picture is once again attached.
I have to say that my experience of American cops is great, I know that they are armed and that they take no shit from anyone but in almost every interaction I had with the boys in blue they were brilliant. I wouldn’t recommend you try to engage the officers at immigration desks at the airports (they are joyless) but don’t be scared to chat to a trooper if you want to.
Back to Camp America intro
Home
In 1995 I think, in Woodstock, during a day off from camp, Steve Parker and I met and got chatting to a policeman called Charlie. Now Woodstock is famous for peace, love, hippies and being laid back. It was almost incongruous to see police cars doing the rounds in this ‘chilled’ town. Charlie was in his squad car when Steve and I went up to say hello. He was no doubt slightly amused to be engaged in conversation with a Brit and a Kiwi but to his credit he gave us some time.
At some point I said that I loved the police badge sewn into the sleeve of his shirt and that it would be cool to have one as a souvenir. The next thing that happened was just brilliant. Charlie said meet me at the station in a few minutes. Steve and I duly barrelled up and Charlie presented each of us with our own badge. Nineteen years later, I still have mine and it is pictured for your enjoyment. It was a little thing of little consequence but Charlie was a real trooper (that’s an intentional play on words) and I am very grateful – that day he made my day.
In New York City whilst travelling after camp (in 1994 this time), I was in the financial district of Manhattan. That was the day I went up the twin towers - it’s still hard to believe they are not there anymore.
Anyway, there was a squad car parked up and I wandered up to it and, in my best dulcet London tones, asked if it would be okay to have my picture taken in it. The state troopers in the car just said ‘okay’. One got out, I climbed into his seat and the policeman took the picture with my camera. I was well pleased with that souvenir too – here’s the shot – how many of you have had the bare faced cheek to request such a thing? It was fun for me and it was no doubt an amusing tale for the coppers to take home and tell their families!
The last tale to regale is once that took place in Canada in 1994 at the Canadian Exhibition of that year. Roads were closed to traffic in the vicinity of the expo and at one closed junction a couple of troopers were standing by their Harleys. I went up to the chaps and asked if it would be okay to have my picture taken on one of their bikes. Once again the copper said ‘yes’ and the resulting picture is once again attached.
I have to say that my experience of American cops is great, I know that they are armed and that they take no shit from anyone but in almost every interaction I had with the boys in blue they were brilliant. I wouldn’t recommend you try to engage the officers at immigration desks at the airports (they are joyless) but don’t be scared to chat to a trooper if you want to.
Back to Camp America intro
Home
