Tim Schwab
The full circle of a police officer
The situations a police officer deals with on a daily basis makes them more cynical and paranoid. These situations happen to many officers and officer Tim Schwab gave information on what his life used to consist of based on calls and how it changed his views on people and the way he lives his life. Tim said, “My occupation makes you more cynical and more aware of what’s going on in the world; and you see the world in a different light than most citizens see it.” Tim said that when he was younger, from about 14 to 18 years old, he had a baseball coach who was a huge mentor to him. His coach was also a Forest Lake police officer. Tim claimed, “He was a role model in my life and was always enthusiastic about his job and the stories he told. I really wanted to live up to his standard.” This was Tim’s reason for joining law enforcement, so he could protect and serve just like his role model. Tim said, “When officers start, they are like a cartoon: clean shaven, fit, and energetic about doing their job.” Tim confessed that after about year four, most officers go through what he called a “burnout phase.” What this means is when they start out, they are ready to take on the world with the mentality that this is going to be great and they are going to enforce the law. Tim explained, “During this phase you tend to…show more content… That’s what makes me enjoy handing out stickers.” Tim explained that no matter where he goes, including restaurants, he needs to face the entrance or not have his back to a window because the occupation makes him worry, be more aware, and lose trust in people. Tim is constantly looking around no matter where he is. He said that divorce is common in an officer’s life and that most officers die five years after retirement due to a massive adrenaline
