"The Final Inspection"
The policeman stood and faced his God,
which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining
just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"
The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No Lord. I guess I ain't.
Because those who carry badges
can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough...
and sometimes I've been violent
because the streets are awful tough.
But I never took a penny
that wasn't mine to keep...
though I worked a lot of overtime
when the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
among the people here.
They never wanted me around
except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here, Lord,
it needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much.
But if you don't...I'll understand."
There was silence all around the throne
where the saints had often trod,
as the policeman waited quietly
for the judgement of his God.
"Step forward now, policeman.
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on heaven's streets.
You've done your time in hell."
–Author unknown

It is always good to keep religion with you in this job... whether (weather, don't know which one) He's out there or not...

I am Catholic, and deeply believe in my faith.. so much actually that I once was considering the priesthood. It is good that you keep God close to you... its the smallest things that proves He watches us and has His own plan for us... good job! Stay safe!

PS You should keep St. Michael's prayer card taped to your police hat, on the inside =)

I'm alive today because God and I were a two man unit.

One reason I consider LE to be a high calling is that cops OFTEN serve as God's hands, God's voice, in the midst of chaos and human sin.

I believe God cares about justice and about mercy. And those are the two things you all most "bring to the party", or try to. It is at the most extreme moments of our lives that we call 911 and ask for help, and those same moments when we breathe that most sincere prayer, "God help me!"

And who comes into the scene to help?

Cops.

You OFTEN serve as God's agents, and I daily pray for your protection from the dangers that would harm you inside and out.

You might enjoy this prayer, then...

St. Michael, Heaven's glorious Commissioner of police, who once so neatly and successfully cleared God's premises of all its undesirables, look with kindly and professional eye upon your earthly forces.

Give us cool heads, stout hearts, hard punches, an uncanny flair for investigation and wise judgment.

Make us the terror of burglars, the friend of children and law abiding citizens, kind to strangers, polite to bores, strict with law-breakers and impervious to temptation.

You know, St. Michael, from your own experience with the devil that the policeman's lot on earth is not always a happy one; but your sense of duty pleased God, your hard knocks surprised the devil and your angelic self-control gives us inspiration.

And when we lay down our night sticks, enroll us in your Heavenly Force, where we will be as proud to guard the throne of God as we have been to guard the city of men. Amen.