Frank Reagan. No one does the "I'm carrying the world on my shoulders" look like Tom Selleck. Yes, officer tactics are pure Hollywood, but I rarely ran into any brass that had the sense and character of Frank Reagan. The cities I worked in have spent the last 4 decades in the top ten most violent per capita (per 1000 people). Ususally we occupy 1st, 2nd, or third. I chose that. I wanted it. I wanted to work where I wouldn't be writing tickets but putting the worst of the worst away. I have 4 brothers and all of us but one have served in the military or the police, or both. I still can't watch a tv funeral for a cop or a soldier without tears. I've been to far more than my fair share. As a boss Frank is fair, and doesn't give his children special priviledges and that's how it should be. We should be held to a higher standard. Lastly, I'm nearing 50 and I am more fit than a lot of guys I see in law enforcement today. My strength and a lifetime of martial arts have not only kept me in shape, but it allowed me to do my job without needing tasers and pepper spray and without having to hurt people to get control of them. Physical fitness standards should be like they are for the military. The other problem is simple: dress uniforms should not be used on patrol. Dress is for special events, award ceremonies, and funerals. The U.S. Army doesn't send troops into battle in a dress uniform, your sent out in BDUs with load bearing vests. It is functional and provides greater protection from back injuries and spreads the load around. Where I retired from, patrolman face daily fights, foot chases, and more. Dress uniforms are not for the field. More departments need to recognize this.
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