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Harvey Mackay Column
for the week of November 8, 2010 |
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The
State Patrol Catches Up With Harvey
When the Minnesota State Patrol
car rolled into our company parking lot, heads turned toward
the office windows. When Trooper Jon Olsen walked into the building
asking for me, the staff was guessing that my "luck"
may have finally run out.
Fortunately for me, Trooper
Olsen is married to my trainer, and she helped me arrange for
a ride-along. To say I respect the incredibly important and often
dangerous work these men and women perform is a gross understatement.
The four hours I spent with Trooper Olsen gave me a perspective
I never thought I'd have: I went from hoping I wouldn't encounter
a state patrol car on the road to being grateful every time I
see one in my mirrors. I've spent the last two years researching
jobs for my latest book, and this experience absolutely blew
me away.
According to Olsen's captain,
I was in the company of one of the best -- she told me she wishes
she had 100 just like him. His pride, dedication and continuous
learning keep him at the front of the pack. He was the first
to get his patrol car equipped with a $25,000 camera that can
read license plates at a speed of 70 miles per hour going either
direction. It beeps when it spots a suspended or revoked license
or a stolen car. He caught three offenders in four hours with
this equipment. |
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The equipment isn't just in his
car. Getting dressed for work takes an extra 10-15 minutes, putting
on equipment which includes two guns with 55 rounds, bullet-proof
vest, Taser, audio microphone, flashlight, radio, pepper spray,
gloves and hand cuffs. He weighs an extra 30 pounds after he
puts on all his gear.
Then there's the car, decked
out with a digital video camera, equipment for preliminary breath
test, window tint meter, radar, laser gun, computer and printer,
big flashlight, two radios, emergency lights, siren control box,
two guns (M16 and 12-gauge shot gun) and push bumpers. All of
this is accessible from the driver's seat.
Open the trunk and you will find
a medical bag, defibrillator, road flares, traffic cones, jumper
cables, tire iron (for assisting people with flat tires), crow
bar, riot stick, riot helmet, gas masks, rubberized hazardous
materials suit, spray paint cans, digital camera, stop sticks
(iron spikes to disable tires), fire extinguisher and shovel.
There is no such thing as packing light when he has to be prepared
for just about any emergency that might arise. In all my business
dealings, I'm a preparation freak, and the State Patrol carries
that out to the nth degree.
Trooper Olsen shared plenty of
stories about the different situations he has faced in his six
years on the State Patrol, but many of us are probably most familiar
with traffic stops of all kinds. Removing offenders from the
road for speeding or driving under the influence is a real service
to the rest of us on the road. These offenders are a threat;
the troopers save lives every day by making our roads safer.
I wish that we could find a way
to make their jobs safer too. These men and women are true heroes,
never knowing what awaits them in the cars they pull over or
the situations they face daily. I can't imagine talking myself
into facing the challenges Trooper Olsen faces day after day.
Let me share a piece of advice:
state troopers have heard just about every excuse known to mankind.
Among Olsen's favorites: "I'm late for court!" (How
about another ticket so you can use that excuse again?) "I
have to go so bad and I'm trying to get to a bathroom ..."
(But didn't you just pass several gas stations?) Better just
to have your license, registration and proof of insurance ready.
As you can see, this was no ordinary
day at the office for me. But for the state troopers who climb
into their well-equipped cars every day and hit the road to keep
us safer, there is no such thing as a routine shift.
I take for granted that I will
get home each evening in time for dinner with my family, even
if I've made some mistakes.
Troopers can't let down their
guard for a minute. Mistakes can be fatal, not only for them
but for innocent drivers on the road. The service they provide
is nothing short of heroic.
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Mackay's Moral: |
Thank a trooper if you had a safe
ride today. And watch your speed. |
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The Author  |
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Harvey Mackay is a nationally
syndicated columnist for United Feature Syndicate. His weekly
articles appear in 52 newspapers around the country, including
the Chicago Sun Times, Rocky Mountain News, Orange County Register,
Minneapolis Star Tribune and Arizona Republic.
http://www.mackay.com/
Copyright, Harvey Mackay. All rights reserved. |
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