Do I miss being a police officer?

Do you want to know the best part about landing a job in the private sector?

Leaving law enforcement

Do you want to know the worst part about landing a job in the private sector?

Leaving law enforcement.

The answer is the same.

People often ask me if I miss the job. I do miss it every day. But I miss it like I miss childhood. It's nostalgic. I miss my shiftmates like I miss childhood friends. We had great times together. Stayed up all night. Played cops and robbers. Grew up together and learned through shared experiences.

When I left, it felt like a weight was lifted just as it does when you leave home for the first time as an adult. I had a brand new world ready for the taking, but I wasn't sure if I was ready for it. It took some growing pains and figuring out, but I'm better for having taken the chance.

I miss the good times. I feel a tinge of what used to be when I see a patrol car screaming by with lights and sirens. It's the same feeling I get when I go to where home used to be. For many years, policing was my home. But sometimes, you have to leave home. You have to venture out into the world and start a new journey.

In the same way, I miss many pieces of being a kid, I miss the world of policing. But I enjoy being an adult and the freedom and lessons it gives me. And for the same reasons, I am happy to work in the private sector.