Are Cops TOO Desensitized?

[@TheGrayChronicles]

The thumbnail 💀💀💀

[@TheGrayChronicles]

Oh..thanks for the pin man!

[@FormulaFanboy]

I thought it was an among us character help I am going crazy

[@TheGrayChronicles]

@@FormulaFanboy LOL...clearly.

[@AnthonyG13EmergencyVideos]

Congrats on the pin

[@TheGrayChronicles]

@@AnthonyG13EmergencyVideos Oh hi Anthony! Thanks!

[@charlainemarkesen4708]

Kudos to Mrs. 401. She got you thinking.

[@c-secofficer123]

Yea my wife’s jaw drops sometimes at the dinner table while I’m howling about something at work

[@sgtj.peldridge4567]

@@c-secofficer123 man mine just stops eating and walks away

[@c-secofficer123]

@@sgtj.peldridge4567 sorry to hear that bud

[@paisleycool7]

@@sgtj.peldridge4567 then don’t. Just a suggestion.

[@ChristineChilds000]

Psych degree here. PTSD causes short term memory loss. Very common with first responders. ❤️ The desensitization is your brain's way if protecting you.

[@masonkretiv4136]

Is that why I can be covered in feces and still be hungry for lunch?

[@ChristineChilds000]

@@masonkretiv4136 🤣 it could be that.

[@StinkyPataki]

As the direct descendant of Sigmund Freud I concur.

[@CHITOWN8072]

How do I get my memory to be better?

[@ChristineChilds000]

@@CHITOWN8072 cognitive therapy, mindfulness meditation, exercise, eating healthy, guided imagery. All those can help. Sometimes we just need to use little tools that will help us like keeping notes, brain games, journaling. Ultimately, if it truly is PTSD causing short term memory loss, therapy is the best approach. ❤️

[@johnnyvizcaino5040]

I used to transport bodies to the morgue in a hospital and one day me and my coworker received a complaint from a family member of a morgue patient i had to take up the freezer....the complaint was that we looked too happy and we were cracking jokes and talking about sports as we transported the dead body . Like uhmmmm??? I'm supposed to cry all day everyday throughout every shift at work lol ?

[@riselle1]

Lol made me laugh. I can only imagine that it gets to be routine.

[@DavidA-um1rj]

I had a similar issue we were told to look somber if anyone could see us.

[@eddard9442]

what about being neutral, laughing and crying are two extremes, be in the middle/neutral while in public.

[@agentmartagentmart9122]

Or you can be empathetic and considerate as if this was your family member

[@EBMisKing]

@@agentmartagentmart9122 or you can realize that a body is just a chunk of meat-no different than any other living organism and that death isn't a taboo...

[@patriot9067]

As a 21 year retired Deputy, please know that when you see officers laughing and joking at crime scenes. Its not that they are being rude or insensitive. Its how alot of officers deal with what we see on a daily basis. If we took to heart every tragedy, you would not survive a career, and go insane. A officer sees alot on a daily basis. Things the majority of people might see once. We see everyday and will have those 20+ years of images the rest of their lives. Stay safe brother

[@Ph4r4oh_444g]

I’m not an LEO Officer I will be tho in the future but I appreciate you saying this cause I do it too and people say I’m insensitive and rude and I’m just like “huh🙃”

[@patriot9067]

@@Ph4r4oh_444g show compassion for the families, and maintain professionalism to do the job, but around other officers its good to laugh and joke to destress. And sometimes you just need to make it through your shift, go home and have a good cry because you took a call where a child was abused so bad that they died or respond to a crash where a little girl was sitting in the back seat that was hit so hard she was crushed and the mom went through the windshield. Its a tough job. But those times you get to help someone or get a thank you. Makes it all worth it. Good luck with your career and stay safe.

[@pcd1377]

There's a time and place for said joking, and its either back at the station or completely away from the scene. We had a MVC where the truck driver was on the phone with his wife as another semi smashed into the cab, killing him instantly. The FF who extricated him were joking about how BAD this guy smelled. Well, turns out, *HIS WIFE WAS STILL ON THE PHONE LISTENING*. Cop on scene pulled all the FFs aside and said *GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER, FIND THAT PHONE, AND STFU!!*

[@patriot9067]

@@pcd1377 agreed, there is a time and place for jokes, on scene, especially where a person has died or seriously injured, you must remain professional, how the public views you is very important.

[@ChristineChilds000]

Us nurses do it too

[@AztekWarrior27]

From being in the army in a combat environment, I can relate to the memory problems. You described it so perfectly.

[@naisume668]

In the Academy they told us about a cop at a gang shooting went to the ice cream truck and was eating an ice cream standing near the body waiting for the medical examiner.

[@Mountie2013ap]

🤣🤣🤣🤣. Cant fault the guy for wanting Ice Cream!

[@nomnomnomnomnom9349]

I got stuck on a accidental death for hours and an ice cream truck was driving by so you can guess I ended up getting a snack while the M.E. came to remove the body.

[@wyatt4790]

@John Doe and try to kill him too.

[@yuriharck3087]

In my opinion, I think it’s also a way to be able to protect your own mental health. Can you imagine if every single incident were to hit you like a ton of bricks? There’s no way you could be in Law Enforcement. God bless all of you and thank you for all that you do! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@sgtj.peldridge4567]

Im here pretty early I work for the west virginia state police and I feel pretty similar on most opinions as you do brother stay safe

[@redarrowplayz4538]

Heard West Virginia is pretty tough down there for police stay safe man!

[@Anriandor]

Man I love these flashy American lights! This job must be so cool. Stay safe as well, Sgt Workman

[@racinzebra95]

Be careful in these mountains

[@cribz12345678]

"Better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it." Dude I've been saying that shit to myself forever now. I'm glad im not the only one who thinks like that.

[@kenpachi2607]

They've mentioned this a few times in the academy I'm in right now. They've also said cops have a dark sense of humor that civilians don't understand.

[@ChristineChilds000]

Same with us nurses.

[@Asher5250]

@@ChristineChilds000 same goes for anyone with a medical background. My mom was a nurse, my brother an EMT and I work in pharmacy. We could clear out restaurants with stories.

[@ChristineChilds000]

@@Asher5250 right!?🤣

[@sundowner2663]

Ex military here, yeah our humor is “questionable “ by non service members.

[@Asher5250]

@@sundowner2663 Yeah, I worked medical for 20 years, some of it at the VA. It think most medical/first responders are a lot the same way. It's just how we are. Personally, I think it's funny as hell.

[@frankmckinley1254]

Noting wrong with a little Paranoia. That has been a friend on more than one occasion.

[@metalgod542]

I completely agree. Color Yellow does require a slight amount of paranoia.

[@officer401]

Like I always say to people, paranoia has kept me alive.

[@AlexKenas]

@@officer401 Always be on guard, make assumptions, but never jump to conclusions as that leads to excessive force incidents, wrongful arrests, and negative community relations. Interrogating people needlessly is usually a rookie behavior that usually stems from anxiety or to stimulate one's ego.

[@bill944]

Paranoia, especially with one's home security, is a way to get laughed at by those who know you. Then, there's the day that it pays off and saves your family's life and you are an F ing genius. Unless someone makes some really poor life decisions that involve your household, you'll be a laughed at paranoid person.

[@MyLonewolf25]

healthy paranoia is not a horrible thing

[@Micds03]

Pretty much bang on... A Sgt. in my basic training said we all have an invisible backpack that we put stuff into everyday. At some point you have to figure out how to take things out of the backpack so it doesn't overflow and the trauma starts causing issues in your daily life.

[@classicambo9781]

Yep, use the bucket and how to empty it or put a hole at different levels so you recognise when things start spilling over into your life.

[@aaronspicer949]

I feel there's a desensitization to a certain extent with fire, ems, and rescue as well. I worked countless wrecks on i-40 when I was in Tennessee. I think you have to become that way to an extent to continue to function in certain situations. Awesome video👍👍👍👍

[@JesusisJesus]

I was a police contractor tow truck driver for 3 years. I have seen some stuff, but had to clean up some of the carnage. 3 stand out, my friend flipped a Mazda mx-5 aka miata. Was t-boned by a large Ford coming down a hill the other direction. Long story short he woke up from coma once, kissed his wife goodbye and died a year after the accident. The Ford became 3, engine, cab and engine compartment. I worked all night winching parts of cars onto my truck and spent the next day hosing the goo off. I met the Ford driver 10 years later and he had shattered both feet. 2 was a 19yo girl who took a downhill corner too fast in a crappy late 90’s Hyundai 2 door, the car imploded with none of the 4 wheels on the ground. I watched the detectives photograph her purse contents on the road. As I slid the “car” onto the tilt tray, her blood ran out from under the seat into the footwell. 3.... a 43yo guy was riding a Hyabusa bike (friggn fast) and a 4wd turned onto a highway, he laid it down and there was an alloy step beside the doors, chopped the top of his helmet off and that’s all I’ll divulge. Watching people die is terrible, the images get burned into your head and you can never forget what you saw.

[@johnk4515]

What department did you work for in TN?

[@aaronspicer949]

@@johnk4515 I wasn't on a department, guess I could've specified. I was on a rescue squad in middle tennessee for a few years before moving to Georgia

[@johnk4515]

@@aaronspicer949 oh ok. Cool man. I was just curious because I used to live off of I-40 near knoxville.

[@marvisaiya]

You're incredibly self-aware, and that's why I really love this channel.

[@vandemanferretstasmania.ni9576]

It’s not just cops. I worked rescue and recovery, got to the point of I could guess how long the body had been there by the smell. You get desensitised pretty quickly

[@joebragiel7485]

“I wish my mind could forget the things my eyes have seen” - Dave Parnell Detroit FD a powerful quote that I think about a lot with this job.

[@theboix10]

My first dead body was about 3 months out of training. A guy jumped off the top of a 9 story parking garage and landed face first. I saw the aftermath and the video footage. That sight pretty much desensitized me

[@flyifri]

Yesterday is gone forever, but it is tomorrow that is going to count moving forward. Taking care of ones mental health is as much or more important as going to the gym. Make the time..! Thanks Sarg..!

[@stonks_n_chomps7556]

Don’t feel bad, lol us firefighters are just as bad. Thanks for the hard work, stay safe.

[@xyzabc4178]

Nothing wrong with it, becoming desensitised is a way of protecting yourself

[@TierTalk]

Cops need to go through mandated mental health evaluations every two years. They will deal with crazy stuff and they may need support and guidance in how they need to process that.

[@Babygirlly555]

@@mrputin4889 Do we really want mentally unstable men and women wearing a badge and carrying a gun? I would hope not.

[@jacobmitz3969]

@@mrputin4889 normally a mental health evaluator is a psychiatrist, psychologist or a neurologist... They don’t want to take people out of the job, but some things need to be done if severe enough. And your telling us all of them are not moral or righteous enough... they studied human psychology...

[@laytonnatale4271]

@Kevin Keane 😂

[@dulcineamartinez6993]

Husband got this way in the military so when he became an officer and was on his first ever call, he was able to handle seeing a deceased 5 month old. I told him I would've been crying and he said that it was hard for him but he knew it wasn't the time and place to cry. He did come home that day and hugged the kids though but he said that's life.

[@trickwheel]

I'm getting into forensics. I am already pretty desensitized. Should be interesting to see how it turns out

[@kimberlycantrell3183]

May I ask what part of forensics are you getting into? What degree do u have? I’m wondering because I’m going to school and am interested in criminal justice. Thanks!

[@trickwheel]

@@kimberlycantrell3183 depends what you want for expertise in. There is a lot to consider, natural science like physics is good for ballistics or biology/chemistry is good for toxicology and fluid recovery. Photography knowledge is good for crime scene investigations. You can go more IT if you want more digital forensic investigations such as computers and phones. You can also broaden the scope with Forensic science or crime scene technology or criminology. Just depends

[@brunor.2895]

hope everything turns out well

[@mitchellbrenner1967]

We, the thin Gold Line (dispatchers) have the same issues. We've lost trainees because of their inability to accept the type of humor (dark - very dark) we use to compensate when we're dealing with bad situations.

[@JPVapes]

I spent 17 years as a volunteer firefighter and EMT. I can relate. We all have our own coping mechanism. Stay safe bro

[@talltomrich1]

Several of my EMT partners have noted that I forget about my calls almost instantly after finishing my report. I can recall them if needed but it takes some thinking.

[@IdahosDeadpool]

yep, gun compartments everywhere and watching the 6 of your fam's 6 while watching your 6 and everything else LOL

[@awellsphoto]

I work in a hospital...we go from eating lunch to cleaning poop to coding someone and back to eating lunch like it's no big thing. We're all crazy.

[@gamey9116]

I love the mental health aspect that you addressed here! Not too often do people in your line of work address this. It’s sad to say but unfortunately there seems to be a horrible stigma about reaching out for help if you need it! So thank you for subtly hinting at that!

[@Grabass10]

Coming from the military, CO, and EMS, I have noticed that my memory is messed up too, a quote from a Detroit FAE is something along the lines of “If only my mind could forget what my eyes have seen.”

[@delt2743]

Good video officer 411 Back in the 1980’s I drove a tow truck and I’ve worked some bad accidents on freeways and streets. I can remember a female DB broken neck on a rollover. It took me a few months to get over it. Be safe

[@MichaelTV44]

I have been in EMS for 2 years so far. I kind of had the same conversation with my girlfriend. I was telling a story like it was nothing and she was getting mad because I wasn't showing empathy. I had to explain to her that I do care but it's hard to show emotion or empathy for somebody that when you "met" them they were already dead.

[@23hunter152]

Thankfully the instructors in my academy mentioned this fairly frequently just as a reminder of how the job will change us.

[@ThespicyTurtle1]

2:25 “it’s just a body, it’s not going anywhere” Ah geez I’m already laughing and that wasn’t even a joke.

[@kevinwalters8280]

I once delivered to the swat captain for my city. He had two entire perimeters around his home before being at any door and solid steel bars on any front window. Along with a robust security system. That house was Fort Knox.

[@iswear1982]

I’ve definitely developed PTSD over the years. Things with children and animals have stayed with me much more than I want to admit.

[@formandalore918]

Don’t feel bad my guy. I forget bdays a lot. Been trying to remember, but when the day comes I get reminded and call late at night. Oof

[@dr.jessicalindley299]

As a Forensic Psychologist I appreciate how you point out the importance of understanding how you as an individual process the trauma that comes with your job. Great video!

[@jeffwilcox9987]

6:00 Ms 401: it’s not paranoid, it prepared. I have a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit but that does mean I expect to get hurt or have a fire.

[@easternrebel1061]

Same thing in the Fire Service. See enough dead bodies, it's bound to mess with your head. You are absolutely correct.

[@tiffanyf6114]

I’m so grateful that your natural response is to do CPR no matter what you initially see

[@nitewing3271]

First responders in general get desensitized...though some allow it to affect their empathy for others. My ex-wife is a paramedic and I've definitely seen her change over the years. But, her greatest weakness is also her greatest strength.

[@MrNorker77]

Worked as an EMT for a while. Becoming desensitized is pretty much necessary if you want to be able to survive the job with your mental health intact. You have to be able to come home, having had a mother of three die in your arms and still be able to smile and laugh at your sons birthday. I wasn't able to do that, so I switched jobs. I retain a huge amount of respect for the people that work these kinds of jobs (police, firefighters, etc.), especially those that have family.

[@jeremiahboardman845]

I feel this was 100%! Especially as an Asset Protection associate, this topic is spot on to how my life is with dealing with Overdoses, meth/heroin addicts in the store stealing. It’s funny because my girlfriend thinks I’m too safe when it comes to our property, so I can totally relate 🤣👍🏻 Great video 401

[@87stickman]

You are 100% spot on! I ran EMS for years and it's the same way there too

[@brandyfuller2455]

Im trying to educate myself in an effort to learn what law enforcement deals with on a daily basis and why they are responding to situations the way they do. This video is definitely giving me a lot to think about, thank you!

[@fastfordman1965]

Same with working EMS. Stay safe out there brother.

[@timlangdon5923]

As an otr truck driver I've gone through this to an extent. Not quite the same degree, but you see enough fatalities on the highways it just becomes another day and it sucks for them.

[@ShelbylunaMorgan]

Hi Officer 401 awesome video. Excellent topic. I am a paramedic and people don't understand how we deal with things we see.

[@5egghead]

This video needs a lot more views. This should be on all of the news channels across North America. Brilliant work.

[@168bthp]

23 years in LE and I will agree 100%! I can't remember names and dates but I can still see faces and can take you to every incident location. Most of the bad calls seem like they just happened yesterday.

[@dailygaming6672]

same thing happened on my block...drunk dude drugged a lock smith 2 blocks....was missing his whole right side from the ear down...saddest part this man stood up after being drug the 2 blocks. very sad.... he was obviously not hit at 70mph but he definitely was road rashed up.

[@kellylynch5113]

As one who is seriously considering police work I really appreciate your perspective on this

[@blitzkrieg459]

It’s very common in all first responders, I worked as a volunteer fireman for a couple years and done a few years of law enforcement. I now do security in a hospital and we’re in charge of moving bodies to the morgue. It’s a big hospital I move several bodies everyday. In my experience, it was kinda weird at first people talking about lunch and stuff like that. After a while seeing so many deaths and bodies, i try not to see look their faces but I noticed I do that without thinking. Sometimes I talk about these things casually with family but I forget they don’t see these things and get freaked out.

[@steveblankenship5474]

I was a member of a search and rescue team and I saw something like this. A missing person was found dead on a trail which shared the border of two agencies and the trail itself was on another agency which was a park district that had its own police. They were arguing as to who was going to do the report over the deceased and one mentioned being late for dinner. That kept with those on scene from the SAR team for a long time.

[@jrcook78]

Great video I did emergency response for a former employer and witnessed some serious accidents that I have blocked from my memory and have noticed the desensitization from it and worked hard to overcome it.

[@выложитьнаютуб]

This is exactly the way I live. Wife parks in the garage, no one knows what I do for work. Cameras in every corner, motion lights on each side. I regularly monitor my homes surveillance system. No one knows when I am home and I do not post photos of my house or anything I am doing the same day. Like Mr. 401 said call it paranoia but I feel like this keeps me cautious. I’m a nice neighbor I just mind my business.

[@Loadrunner620]

Former Fire fighter " Me " at an accident person dead with missing body parts at accident scene. I found a Arm and I yelled out loud " Look, it's a Timex and its still ticking !!! ". Yes, I got quite a look from State Trooper looking at me after yelling that.

[@dodgeram898]

I work in a hospital I can relate. I have seen things that cannot be unseen. It shocked me at first as time went by I became immune to a lot of stuff.

[@5.56Media]

30-year retired desensitized cop here from 5.56 Media ... great video.

[@pinkfire2344]

To this day my father won't sit anywhere in a restaurant where all entry points aren't visable. He wasn't a cop, but a Marine and Presidential guard. My mother called it paranoia...I call it a single gal's salvation. Dad taught me everything I know, and woe is the person who tries to enter univited.

[@natenoullet1535]

April 7th I go to the EMS Academy. I figured out I didn’t want to be a cop, but you helped me find ems so thank you 🙏

[@trottheblackdog]

I think the training helps. It gives you something to do. You feel apart from it. But you can't witness it for too long or your perspective gets skewed. Former EMT here.

[@ltlsmoky]

I have drove a truck for many years and it effects us the same way. We are usually the first on scene and usually see it as its happening. I've seen a lot of stuff that I can't ponder on that can lead to many sleepless nights. I smelled a man's body burning in a car and heard his screams, I watched a biker hit a car and three people picked up his body as his head hung like loose skin, I watched a man get shot by the police right in front of my truck in the interstate...i literally seen his brains escape his head on impact, and then I watched a man jump off a bridge and a truck and several cars ran over his body just to name a few. Just another day in trucking but like an officer...someone has to do it. Then to add to everything, people treat you badly.

[@AfrikanAssassin]

I worked in a hospital ER and shock trauma for a while, I’m also a veteran and I’m desensitized. I’ve also programmed my brain to forget patients faces from shock trauma.

[@DPie10]

Well said 35 years in and you nailed it.

[@paststeve1]

I have been a Police Chaplain for about 25 years with lots of ride-along time. I ABSOLUTELY agree with your assessment of desensitization .

[@davereid-daly2205]

Good one !! Daily swimming is a very good PTSD release process. 10 lengths swum in a leisurely manner has an enormous effect on the Body.

[@tammyw11]

Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Truth 100%

[@kardaman5]

I remember years ago, when I was testifying in court, there was a counselor that spoke about blocking out bad memories can effect your memory in general because you are reaching yourself to forget.

[@480pilot]

Just finished having this same conversation with someone! Well addressed!

[@mufuliramark]

I’ve been retired now for 20 months, 28 years on the street and 2 in an office. I happened across this video by chance and can’t believe our similarities. In Scotland we don’t get to take a patrol car home, it’s used by the oncoming shift. We don’t routinely have firearms although I was in the Firearms unit but still, we don’t bring them home. My memory about normal things is bad and my 4 kids constantly rip me for it but I’m essentially still on point in relation to everything else. Like you, my traumatic experiences are naturally embedded somewhere, I can’t easily voluntarily recall them, I need a visual queue of some sort, to get it going. I still live in the area I patrolled so I regularly go past location of jobs. Whenever I go out I am literally on patrol, constantly looking and searching, I can’t switch off. I always have a contingency plan, even just at the shops I mentally plan an escape, an evasion, an attack, a defence scenario that’s does my wife’s tits in. She sees my mind and watches my eyes, I have a neck like an Owl. My family think I’m a sick individual because I can talk about messy jobs but then tuck into dinner without batting an eyelid. I’ve taken up a part time job in a large supermarket and I’ve been clocked by a few scum bags who have let me know that they know I’m working there, so it’s hard to forget my training. I fucking love it though, what a ride it was. Take care mate. Got yourself another sub brother.

[@security29]

Respect bro, being a Canadian who is going Thur as a security guard, I like to keep my pistol close to me, stay safe bro

[@terrysteward6765]

While listening to you talk about being "paranoid", I looked and my nearest gun was about two feet away. I stopped the video, took it out of the holster and sat it about one foot away. I feel much better now. Seconds matter! Won't go into my background here. But, I have seen cases where quick access to a firearm would have benefited the victim... a lot!

[@depthcharge6215]

Same here in medical field. Its the drama that gets to us.

[@thinblueline9115]

Trooper here with the Pennsylvania State Police. Like most of the people here, I completely agree. I have always had a bad short term memory, but I have seen it get worse since coming on the job. Stay safe.

[@duskamvonathsat3390]

It’s just a body. It’s not going anywhere and I’m hungry…

[@camerontobacco288]

Brother. I’ve never been able to express what I was going thru until now. Your video is awesome

[@JakePalmer13]

Watching this while eating my Buffalo wings. Yep you're 100% right! 😅

[@encarn]

Hey officer401, Your norm everyday civilian here. Just subbed from this vid. I like learning about people and how what they do and how it effects them, especially; cops, medics, army personal. It helps me respect them even more. Sorry this is a long post but I think the end of it is worth it. I suffer from chronic depression.(not as bad now but at times...) It's a hard thing to deal with. Always thought I was to weak willed in my mind to over come it, on my own. Never sought help until my mother convinced me to see her doctor at 22. He put me on medications and balanced them out. Its helped immensely. Here's the thing this links to this vid the most, I was really good at pulling memories from my mind and had a pretty good photogenic memory before my meds. Now, just like you sometimes, I can't remember lunch or some things that happen days before. This is making me wonder if good memory retention effects depression, chronic or not. You being able to do it naturally well (not saying you have bad memory just your brain tries to forget bad things and some of the norm goes with it), and for me needing help from a medical point.

[@PotholedAxe9985]

I've started my career in law enforcement. I'm at our county's jail as a correctional deputy. Usually we hire out of the jail so its getting my foot in the door. Half a year from now and I can put in for being put through the academy

[@stevenmartin4889]

Security measures that cops take really got me thinking about mine now. 😳😬

[@galendeig6747]

Thank you for sharing, I have several friends that are officers in different departments, this explains a lot.

[@ricaurandt6713]

Thank you, you just cleared up some huge questions about my own memories. I'm a civilian with no experience as an EMT or in LE but because of my many experiences and encounters in the motorsports industry as a driver, rider and fabricator, I've seen some heinous things and even as a child born into a racing family, I've seen things most people as adults couldnt handle without a Xanax scrip, weekly therapy sessions and a high dollar weekly bar tab. Anyway, I'm now 57 years old and I been noticing that when people refer to things we've done together or family brings up things in our past, I have no clue as to what they're talkin bout, like I was never there but can I remember the pink mist that hung in the air of my neighbor's living room when Rex sucked a gun barrel and put a pizza on the ceiling when I was 4 years old or how about the cold black eyes and magenta faces of all 7 people I'd found asphyxiated in their car after they got stuck in a snow drift on a non maintained county road and stayed warm by leaving the engine running overnight as they fell asleep and the snow kept falling enough to cover the exhaust pipe? Those and many other incidents are fresh in my head like they happened yesterday but the purple people sleepers in the family wagon happened almost 40 years ago and I cant remember where the fuck i left my keys or are my smokes in the car or did I leave em in the truck? My memory is shit for the basics but the forensics of my past are crystal gawddamn clear and probably still admissible in court! My question to you is fourfold.... 1. How are your personal relationships with family? 2. In your off duty free time, how do you deal with public surroundings and strangers in general? (I find myself retreating more n more as I get older n grumpier and avoid the public like a plague) 3. How well do you sleep? Do you have trouble with nightmares or night terrors, PTSD? 4. You see where I left my smokes?

[@viewtifulcrow6393]

It's important to have empathy in situations like these, but if you have too much sympathy you won't make it.

[@Chaydex]

As someone who's in the military I can relate this 100% worlds freaking messed up sometimes. Props for bringing attention to this man

[@KidGamer2002]

Much respect man, its a tough job. Bless

[@LostEmpireProduction]

I’m in the process of being hired as a cop and I admit I’m terrified of becoming someone I wouldn’t recognize in the mirror but these videos do help with that

[@johntiller9172]

It's pretty much the same for firefighters and EMS personal,with seeing so much death.

[@f0rumrr]

Best way yo get over hardship is to have a good laugh about it, any line of work where you have severe risk involved.

[@jaynaishimura9238]

Your videos helped me get through the academy! Thank you Officer401 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@israelmondragon6195]

I kinda have a similar way of dealing with things I easily forget about people who aren’t in my daily life I literally forget that certain people I met even excised even close family members that are involved my life

[@craigbenz4835]

Thanks for the insight. I always wondered about how you are affected by the fact that most of your interactions with folks is on what is the worst day of their year if not their life.

[@Noobkin30328]

Marine vet and Police officer, 4 years in. I have a very similar memory problem. With countless concussions, and mental junk, I have developed an awful memory. I can’t remember a name after weeks of working with someone. I can’t remember hardly anything from bootcamp, or even past calls. I can recall small bits, but I can’t piece anything in any sort of order

[@GorilieVR]

4:40 this. I'm 29 now but at age 19 i found/reported 1st suicide. I tried to avoid looking the face because i didn't want that to haunt me. He was a father of 5 and later i found out his wife wash cheating on him and was psychologically/emotionally very toxic and abusive. i found him at 8am feb. 12th 2012. He was dead for 4-6 hours. I did CPR knowing it was pointless but symbolic because I'd want the same done for a family member. For several years any time i smelled bad breath i would have intense flashbacks. Everyday i have to drive down the road it happened on but its gotten better, mostly because that and all other trauma was overshadowed by my brother's suicide in 2017 which a psychiatrist said caused PTSD (i also reported his suicide and he had used my S&W M&P Shield 9mm). I've been a volunteer firefighter since January 2017 and became desensitized very quickly. I later went through EMT school and realized if i made EMS a career I'd end up highly jaded and have zero empathy like many old EMT's and Paramedics I've met. i feel sorry for any innocent young people choosing fire/EMS/LE as career with no prior experience and who think it'll be fun like TV/movies 😰. I recommend any "kid" considering this field to first volunteer and see if you can handle constant trauma before committing to it long-term..

[@Goosht]

I recently witnessed a suicide by gun. It's a pretty interesting feeling and I can't quite describe it. On one part, I feel sad it happened but on the other part, I know there was nothing I could have done to stop it (as I didn't know him too well). I also performed "symbolic" CPR and called emergency services. However, I remember trying to not look for the first few seconds. I was asking myself, "Can I handle seeing his face?" or "will I freeze and be useless?" Overall, while it was an incredibly tragic event, it made me realize that I underestimated myself and that some of us have the strength to take control of a situation. It was at that moment that I grew a great appreciation for first responders. Good luck on your recovery and sorry for your loss.

[@GorilieVR]

@@Goosht very sorry you had to experience that. What's your age? I think it plays a large role in how someone processes traumatic events. In my case, after my brother's suicide (he was 19, i was 25) I'm now almost 30 traumatic things/death are much easier to handle. Until recently I was a volunteer firefighter for past 4 years (chief said to take a break Until my health improves) but I've encountered plenty of death and horrible things since my brother's passing and its honestly nothing in comparison to the horrific experience of losing him.

[@Goosht]

@@GorilieVR I am 26 years old. I can only imagine how it must feel to be young and more naive and experience what you did. Good on you to take a break or to try something different. That's one of the reasons why I am continuing my education and doing what I can to be in a better headspace.

[@GorilieVR]

@@Goosht it's great you have that perspective. The biggest thing that helped me was turning my attention to helping others who are suffering. It takes the focus off your issues and gives a wider view of our life. Best wishes on your education and future success 😊

[@archangelmichael1978]

I think all first responders, including CO's, nurses, ER workers, all end up with a bit of PTSD from these careers. You can only stare into the abyss for so long. I've seen sh*t that I'll never forget. LEO's are under a great deal of mental stress.

[@Eugenepanels]

Like what ? Tell us some stuff u have seen

[@PiousSlayer]

@@Eugenepanels I'm not a LEO or anything, but they often see car accident victims, suicides, violent crimes against children, etc. There's like a dark side to society that most people don't peer into, the general population isn't even really aware it even exists.

[@archangelmichael1978]

@@Eugenepanels My first dead body was a girl who swallowed a bag of pills. I guess the bag leaked or whatever after she had been arraigned and sent down the hall. The other inmates trying to sober her up put her in the shower. I come in for shift change count and there she is laying on the floor of the shower. Glazed over eyes and foam coming out of her mouth. As soon as I made eye contact with her, I knew she was gone. The hair on my neck stood up and a chill ran down my spine. I wasn't going to touch her because it's a female and inside the shower stall is outside of camera view, so I call medical emergency over the radio and ask for female Officers for an unresponsive female. The paramedics did us a solid by waiting till she got to the hospital to pronounce her dead. I somewhat knew the girl because she was a regular at the jail for prostitution. Hookers are normally catch and release, but on this fateful night, she ingested a bunch of drugs during her bust and it didn't work out for her. One of many stories. Others include holding a guy's wrists together because he slashed them with a razor after his father died. Another dude jumped head long off the top tier and broke his neck. Another girl hanged herself. I dragged the unconscious body of a serial rapist from the pod who'd been stabbed 30+ times with a sharpened tooth brush. It goes on and on, bro.

[@Eugenepanels]

@@archangelmichael1978 damm interesting the serial rapist got his karma i guess lmao Im looking to join the police force soon so stories really intrigue me

[@Eugenepanels]

@@archangelmichael1978 when was this serial rapist story? Any details as to how long or anything like that

[@jesgarcia2590]

Thanks for sharing. God bless.

[@RMonkey]

I thank for sharing your story, I've been wondering why I can't remember things, some things are stuck forever and then can't remember people's names. I've seen some bad things. I need a delete button for my brain.

[@tomcat7269]

While in the military, I remember a safety stand down with a state police officer giving a presentation where he mentioned this subject. I remember him saying, that when we’re at the scene of a fatality and you see us off in a corner looking like we’re joking. We may be, but we are doing that so we are not puking on our shoes. And I get that. No one should, or could carry all of that with them.

[@411NOW]

Thank you for your service.