Why I Resigned From Law-Enforcement
By: Malky Mcewan
Tags: Police, Family, Leadership, Careers, Retirement

Another call came in.

A dozen young men clashed outside a disco, battling amongst themselves. I was the first and only cop to arrive. I didn’t know if they had weapons or if they would turn their hostility towards me. I stepped out of my police vehicle to face the brawl.

Two of the young men were on the ground, being kicked on their heads and bodies — despite being motionless. I had a duty to protect. I approached them knowing my nearest help was eight miles away; colleagues tied up with their own troubles. They could do with my help, as much as I needed theirs.

I put my hat on and marched over to the affray. My presence made them think twice. Three men took to their heels and ran like startled birds. The others wary, they moved away; keeping their distance. I let them go. A police officer’s first responsibility is to preserve life. I called for an ambulance, then administered first-aid.

Evidence is secondary to safety. Once established, I took statements, viewed CCTV and identified the protagonists. Days later, with sufficient back-up, I knocked on their doors. I’d worked sixteen-hour days to bring those men to justice.

It may seem strange, I couldn’t bring myself to resign. I had a sense of duty — I felt compelled to carry on.

My family took a different view.

They sent me an invitation through the post.

A card from my family, inviting me to a party — my party. They’d booked the hotel, the catering, a disco, sent out a hundred invites to my friends and colleagues. My family were having a party, whether or not I came. They forced me into it.

Two months later, I hung up my uniform on Friday, had a party on Saturday and turned fifty on Sunday — it was one helluva weekend. I don’t remember Monday.

Tuesday, I woke with a start.

That gnawing feeling, I worried I’d slept in. It took a minute of orientation to realise I didn’t have to wear a uniform any more. I smiled at the thought but still felt sad inside — there is way more to policing than putting on a uniform.

The lesson I learned

We all need people to look after us. For thirty-years I donned a uniform and watched your back, challenged the bullies, recovered your stolen purse and picked up the broken pieces. But even cops need someone to get their back, and that is what my family did for me.

They wanted me off the streets, tucked up safe in bed at nights. It took a little time to find my feet, but there is life outside of policing. A world to explore, another life to lead. A peaceful existence.

I wrote a book, a funny memoir of my time in the police, people liked it so I wrote some more. I’ve travelled, seen parts of my own country I didn’t have time to see. I wrote about that too and some people compared me to Bill Bryson — I’ll take that any day.

I haven’t been bored once. I have too many hobbies, I often wonder how I managed to find the time to go to work. I’m curious about life, fascinated by nature and fulfilled by the positives that you only find if you go looking for them.

I still miss the job, now and again, but I’m kinda glad I don’t have to work night shifts anymore.