Chicago Police Sergeants' Association

Father Tom Nangle

Second City Cop

May is the month when police honor themselves. They do it because they believe in the deep value of police work. If they don't honor themselves, no one else will honor them. There's no scheduling or crowd control problems during May with politicians, clergy, business people and media folk trying to out-do each other honoring our police, so we'll do it ourselves. And what is it we honor? In my opinion, we honor the men and women, active and retired,who stand roll call and go out into the mix of street life in a big city, and try to help those in pain and arrest those who inflict pain.Sometimes they kill; other times they get killed. A classic theme in ancient mythology,scripture and literature is the battle between good and evil; that theme still throbs 24/7 in this city. We don't use the word "evil" much in these times. Use the word "evil" and people might think you're a religious nut, a simpleton, or unsophisticated. But work the beat car (as every one of you has done, for at least a year as a P.P.O.) and you'll search mightily for a word to describe the behavior of other human beings. An elderly black lady, a witness to a murder, told the detectives one night, "The devil walks this earth like a natural man." I don't believe in the devil, but I believe in the human evil she recognized. My experience over the last 38 years wont permit me to do otherwise. Anybody who believes in the reality of evil human conduct, and who is not a sociopath, and who values peace and good order, has only the police officer to thank for maintaining the equilibrium in this city, and no one else. They aren't lining up to honor the police, though, and they never will. The comments after the recent cougar shooting show the profound ignorance of people regarding police work and the rhythm of the streets, where police decisions run the gamut from the ridiculous to the sublime. At the very least, the CPD is misunderstood and unappreciated, and the worst motives are ascribed to you, who comprise the CPD.Some of the comments remind us that there are those who hate you and the CPD with a vengeance born of true ignorance: They don't know what they are talking about, but they don't know that they don't know---not double talk, but a description of true ignorance. People don't understand police work, but they think they do because they watch police work on tv. That's like saying you know what good sex feels like because you've watched porn. Police work is messy, imperfect, noble, highly political,sometimes brutal,boring, infuriating; it's Godly and substantial, meaningful work, but it can do violence to the officer's soul. The constant exposure to evil, suffering, degradation and human sinfulness can burn the soul to a cinder. Psychologists call it burn-out or PTSD and they have a good handle on it. They tell us that pieces of the burn-out, PTSD puzzle are anger, chronic suspicion, inability to love (or let ourselves be loved), health problems, substance abuse, inability to believe in goodness or see beauty, sense of helplessness or being trapped in life, depression,a loss of a belief in God. There's a phrase that is often mocked, but I believe it's accurate: Perception is reality. In other words, the reality of my personal world outlook is shaped by my thoughts. My thoughts are shaped by my experience. So the health of my soul (spirit, mind) and my outlook on life is determined by the quality of my thoughts. A good way of thinking (i.e., interpreting life) leads to a satisfying, peaceful life for a police officer. A negative way of thinking about life will lead to unhappiness, even chronic low-level misery. But is it possible to be the real police, work the street, handle the agonizing sinfulness of the human race, and be positive? I believe it is. I believe the vast majority of you are. Which brings me to the second city cop blog.

"In a room where people maintain a conspiracy of silence, one word of truth sounds like a pistol shot." There are words of truth on the second city cop blog, but finding them is like searching for diamonds in a dunghill. Most police officers I know have no problem doing the job of policing Chicago.They actually like being the police What makes them furious and frustrated is the institution, the Chicago Police department. It's the institution that causes the pain, but every institution is an enemy of the human spirit. For example, as soon as religion organizes (and a sure sign of organized religion is special hats and costumes), it becomes an enemy of the human spirit by seeking to control the relationship between the people and God, by excluding those it deems different or unworthy. The good side is that we all like to hang with our own kind, so organized religion provides an arena for people of faith to be with those who believe the same things. It's the same with the CPD: The institution provides the platform off of which you operate---cars, radio system, other officers who want to police,training, beat boundaries, experts and specialists,etc. It all works surprisingly well. But the institution grinds up its most valuable resource, its people. The street takes its toll, but the institution takes its toll, too. We don't usually feel free to speak the truth in the workplace, but the truth sets us free, so it needs a place to be heard. Enter the second city cop blog. The first time I visited it, I found it exhilarating. The writers were hitting the nail right on the head. They were aware of the issues, and I admired their writing style.They were identifying some of the institution's problems, they knew where the slippage was, they knew police officers' pains, and they wanted to make improvements. Then I hit the "comments" button. There was some great police humor there, and there were million dollar insights that only could come from the real police. But there were snipers and haters and character defilers, and I was ashamed inside myself to think these were "my people." I've never once been ashamed of my department or my people, but then I'd never hit the "comments" button before. Every institution should have its sages, who know the truth and speak it clearly, even when it's upsetting or downright ugly..."The truth sets us free." But some stuff on this site is worse than the toilet walls. So consider this:

Our comments are seen by everyone from Marion Prison to the U.S.Attorney's Office, from suburban housewives' laptops to the pc's of evil people.
This is worse than the toilet stall walls that only a few see: the whole world sees this.
We are exposing the very worst of our CPD culture to the world.
Gang bangers, pimps, business men,whacko's, reverends,politicians, reporters,criminals, surgeons...none of them do this to each other in cyberspace.
We are a punching bag for the media, nobody understands us or appreciates us, only a copper knows what police work is, but we're assassinating our own selves.
Technology increases our ability to do both good and evil...make a choice.
Many police officers are gifted critical thinkers, they know how to get at the real story. Gossip is different: It adds to the pain in the world and in people's lives. Do you really want to add pain to this world?
Every police department is a highly political entity; in Chicago, it's intensely political. Try not to be surprised by that.
We have enough people who hate us. Be good to each other, be kind---every single one of us is fighting some kind of personal battle.
Which of us hasn't done things we're ashamed of? Who can stand without regrets under the gaze of God?
How is it that officers who respond willingly to "man with a gun" calls wont sign their names to their opinions? The difference between physical courage and moral courage...
The "comments" section can destroy a persons reputation, and recovery may not be possible. "Cop Accused" on the front page, "Cop Not Guilty" on p.34---the Chicago media way.
There is an ethical, moral dimension to our keystrokes: Are we causing suffering and pain?
No doubt SCC is like the crack pipe---it's addictive, and scary. Why? Are we looking for truth, or getting a kick out of the snipers?
We love to point out the weaknesses in others, but I lie loudest when I lie to myself. Who's without fault or sin on this site?
Coppers need and deserve a forum to express their opinions..let's do it courageously and honorably. The truth sets us free, and no one wants to be enslaved.

This seems pretty negative for police month, and I admit it is. But my best friends are the ones who tell me straight up when I'm getting off track, who challenge me when I need it, and scold me when I deserve it. When it comes to the "comments" section of SCC, Officers, enough is enough. If you're going to say it, sign your name to it. Enough is enough.

Respectfully,

Fr. Thomas Nangle
CPD Chaplain
312-738-7588

P.S. This is a downer article for May, I know. I feel guilty just re-reading it, but sometimes our souls need soothing, and sometimes a slap is what's needed.That's what friends are for.So happy Mother's Day, and proud Police Month. Found a poem (not on the stall wall) and I re-worked it for you:

God and the officer, we both adore
In times of peril, never before.
The peril past, and order restored
God is forgotten, the copper ignored.


HOME WHAT’S NEW ALERTS/NOTICES UPCOMING EVENTS PENSION NEWS LEGISLATIVE RETIREES MEETING SCHEDULE NEWSLETTER EXECUTIVE BOARD CONTACT CONTRACT CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS CHAPLAIN'S CORNER IN MEMORIUM PHOTO GALLERY LINKS	Chicago Police Sergeants' Association Father Tom Nangle Second City Cop May is the month when police honor themselves. They do it because they believe in the deep value of police work. If they don't honor themselves, no one else will honor them. There's no scheduling or crowd control problems during May with politicians, clergy, business people and media folk trying to out-do each other honoring our police, so we'll do it ourselves. And what is it we honor? In my opinion, we honor the men and women, active and retired,who stand roll call and go out into the mix of street life in a big city, and try to help those in pain and arrest those who inflict pain.Sometimes they kill; other times they get killed. A classic theme in ancient mythology,scripture and literature is the battle between good and evil; that theme still throbs 24/7 in this city. We don't use the word "evil" much in these times. Use the word "evil" and people might think you're a religious nut, a simpleton, or unsophisticated. But work the beat car (as every one of you has done, for at least a year as a P.P.O.) and you'll search mightily for a word to describe the behavior of other human beings. An elderly black lady, a witness to a murder, told the detectives one night, "The devil walks this earth like a natural man." I don't believe in the devil, but I believe in the human evil she recognized. My experience over the last 38 years wont permit me to do otherwise. Anybody who believes in the reality of evil human conduct, and who is not a sociopath, and who values peace and good order, has only the police officer to thank for maintaining the equilibrium in this city, and no one else. They aren't lining up to honor the police, though, and they never will. The comments after the recent cougar shooting show the profound ignorance of people regarding police work and the rhythm of the streets, where police decisions run the gamut from the ridiculous to the sublime. At the very least, the CPD is misunderstood and unappreciated, and the worst motives are ascribed to you, who comprise the CPD.Some of the comments remind us that there are those who hate you and the CPD with a vengeance born of true ignorance: They don't know what they are talking about, but they don't know that they don't know---not double talk, but a description of true ignorance. People don't understand police work, but they think they do because they watch police work on tv. That's like saying you know what good sex feels like because you've watched porn. Police work is messy, imperfect, noble, highly political,sometimes brutal,boring, infuriating; it's Godly and substantial, meaningful work, but it can do violence to the officer's soul. The constant exposure to evil, suffering, degradation and human sinfulness can burn the soul to a cinder. Psychologists call it burn-out or PTSD and they have a good handle on it. They tell us that pieces of the burn-out, PTSD puzzle are anger, chronic suspicion, inability to love (or let ourselves be loved), health problems, substance abuse, inability to believe in goodness or see beauty, sense of helplessness or being trapped in life, depression,a loss of a belief in God. There's a phrase that is often mocked, but I believe it's accurate: Perception is reality. In other words, the reality of my personal world outlook is shaped by my thoughts. My thoughts are shaped by my experience. So the health of my soul (spirit, mind) and my outlook on life is determined by the quality of my thoughts. A good way of thinking (i.e., interpreting life) leads to a satisfying, peaceful life for a police officer. A negative way of thinking about life will lead to unhappiness, even chronic low-level misery. But is it possible to be the real police, work the street, handle the agonizing sinfulness of the human race, and be positive? I believe it is. I believe the vast majority of you are. Which brings me to the second city cop blog. "In a room where people maintain a conspiracy of silence, one word of truth sounds like a pistol shot." There are words of truth on the second city cop blog, but finding them is like searching for diamonds in a dunghill. Most police officers I know have no problem doing the job of policing Chicago.They actually like being the police What makes them furious and frustrated is the institution, the Chicago Police department. It's the institution that causes the pain, but every institution is an enemy of the human spirit. For example, as soon as religion organizes (and a sure sign of organized religion is special hats and costumes), it becomes an enemy of the human spirit by seeking to control the relationship between the people and God, by excluding those it deems different or unworthy. The good side is that we all like to hang with our own kind, so organized religion provides an arena for people of faith to be with those who believe the same things. It's the same with the CPD: The institution provides the platform off of which you operate---cars, radio system, other officers who want to police,training, beat boundaries, experts and specialists,etc. It all works surprisingly well. But the institution grinds up its most valuable resource, its people. The street takes its toll, but the institution takes its toll, too. We don't usually feel free to speak the truth in the workplace, but the truth sets us free, so it needs a place to be heard. Enter the second city cop blog. The first time I visited it, I found it exhilarating. The writers were hitting the nail right on the head. They were aware of the issues, and I admired their writing style.They were identifying some of the institution's problems, they knew where the slippage was, they knew police officers' pains, and they wanted to make improvements. Then I hit the "comments" button. There was some great police humor there, and there were million dollar insights that only could come from the real police. But there were snipers and haters and character defilers, and I was ashamed inside myself to think these were "my people." I've never once been ashamed of my department or my people, but then I'd never hit the "comments" button before. Every institution should have its sages, who know the truth and speak it clearly, even when it's upsetting or downright ugly..."The truth sets us free." But some stuff on this site is worse than the toilet walls. So consider this: Our comments are seen by everyone from Marion Prison to the U.S.Attorney's Office, from suburban housewives' laptops to the pc's of evil people. This is worse than the toilet stall walls that only a few see: the whole world sees this. We are exposing the very worst of our CPD culture to the world. Gang bangers, pimps, business men,whacko's, reverends,politicians, reporters,criminals, surgeons...none of them do this to each other in cyberspace. We are a punching bag for the media, nobody understands us or appreciates us, only a copper knows what police work is, but we're assassinating our own selves. Technology increases our ability to do both good and evil...make a choice. Many police officers are gifted critical thinkers, they know how to get at the real story. Gossip is different: It adds to the pain in the world and in people's lives. Do you really want to add pain to this world? Every police department is a highly political entity; in Chicago, it's intensely political. Try not to be surprised by that. We have enough people who hate us. Be good to each other, be kind---every single one of us is fighting some kind of personal battle. Which of us hasn't done things we're ashamed of? Who can stand without regrets under the gaze of God? How is it that officers who respond willingly to "man with a gun" calls wont sign their names to their opinions? The difference between physical courage and moral courage... The "comments" section can destroy a persons reputation, and recovery may not be possible. "Cop Accused" on the front page, "Cop Not Guilty" on p.34---the Chicago media way. There is an ethical, moral dimension to our keystrokes: Are we causing suffering and pain? No doubt SCC is like the crack pipe---it's addictive, and scary. Why? Are we looking for truth, or getting a kick out of the snipers? We love to point out the weaknesses in others, but I lie loudest when I lie to myself. Who's without fault or sin on this site? Coppers need and deserve a forum to express their opinions..let's do it courageously and honorably. The truth sets us free, and no one wants to be enslaved. This seems pretty negative for police month, and I admit it is. But my best friends are the ones who tell me straight up when I'm getting off track, who challenge me when I need it, and scold me when I deserve it. When it comes to the "comments" section of SCC, Officers, enough is enough. If you're going to say it, sign your name to it. Enough is enough. Respectfully, Fr. Thomas Nangle CPD Chaplain 312-738-7588 P.S. This is a downer article for May, I know. I feel guilty just re-reading it, but sometimes our souls need soothing, and sometimes a slap is what's needed.That's what friends are for.So happy Mother's Day, and proud Police Month. Found a poem (not on the stall wall) and I re-worked it for you: God and the officer, we both adore In times of peril, never before. The peril past, and order restored God is forgotten, the copper ignored.
	© Chicago Police Sergeants' Association