COP OR A TEACHER?

What is the main idea.
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I grew up in Bedstuy Brooklyn. Nowadays that may not sound ike much as the landscape has changed dramatically. But when I was growing up there  were no bistros or corner café’s.  The corners belonged to the kids. The young black males who had no where else to go.  I knew there was somewhere to go and that was school, but we didn’t all believe that.  I did g to school, I wanted to be a writer, then a lawyer, then a filmmaker, became a teacher.  Now I want to be a cop.  Many would laugh at me.  After ten years with the Board of Education and in a  cushy position--- tenured computer teacher with a brand new computer lab teaching children to make  movies and videos—why on earth would I want to become a cop.  Why would I want to risk my life, my job, my stability, my ability to be creative and even make a difference in youngsters lives?  Why?  Well there are several reasons I would like to be a NYC police Officer.
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I can see it now.  Me, grey haired, in the classroom yelling at the top of my lungs for quiet.  The once new computer lab is now old and dingy like myself.  And I’m dreaming about what I could have been while watching the kids pursue their dreams one by one. Off they go on an exciting adventure called life and I’m still doing the same thing.  I claim my purpose in life is to live an exciting, and challenging life.  What is the opposite of challenging?  Comfortable.  If I become a police officer I am in for an exciting, challenging, out of my comfort zone experience.  Its something I never thought I would do, at the same time its something I think I can do well.  I love meeting new people and interacting with them. I would love to see NYC  and indeed the world through a different view. I mean I can only imagine what its like racing down the street with sirens blazing toward an emergency or saving the life of a child or anyone in danger.  My heart is racing just considering it. 
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I can make a difference in people’s lives. Ofcourse one might exclaim you already make a difference and have more potential to make a difference through teaching. I disagree. I think the older you get as a teacher the less influence you tend to have on teenagers. Of course this is not true for all teachers but  from what I see it does not look good. I think police officers In general (the ones who take care of themselves) age differently.  But aside from that people always respect the shield, the badge and the gun. The more people respect you the more they will listen to you.  I feel I would also have the unique capacity, being a certified teacher with many years of experience and a police officer to reach more at risk youth and  steer them to other alternatives instead of steering them handcuffed to jail. 
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I left the Navy to become a filmmaker.  Ironically I haven’t found the time to complete one feature length film despite having summers off.  I haven’t even traveled anywhere. This comes from me as a person but I also believe it has a lot to do with my job. As  a teacher I expend tons of  creative energy that I am exhausted creatively when it comes to making my movies.  My appetite to share my creativity is semi quenched as a teacher. Furthermore planning lessons and the day  takes  time and commitment.  Something always comes up that seems to be a priority. As  a police officer, I can do my job then come home and work on my films or scripts. True, police officers work long unpredictable hours. But when they go home their time is their own.  I also expect the unpredictability to change with seniority.  As a member of the NYPD I would also have more experience to draw on for my stories and  be able to sharpen my ear for dialogue.  Lastly it is possible that being a member of the force would give me insight to locations and how to obtain permits more readily. The long summers off as a teacher also prove to be a detriment to me as it gives my mind more time to wander and be idle. I like to stay busy. So in essence the most important reason to become a NYPD police officer is to improve at being a writer and filmmaker. 
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I believe becoming a cop is a game changer.  I think the rewards outweigh the risks.  I also believe this is a calculated risk. If it doesn’t work I will still have my Masters and my teaching license so I can return to teaching. My most exciting times in my life have been when I took risks and changed the game up. Life is about struggle and passion.  Struggle can be good or bad.  Its best when its self induced struggles or challenges.  In the end you come out a wiser more well rounded man.  That is what I’m hoping for.  Predictability is death, security is a myth.  LIVE.  LOVE LEARN GROW GIVE GET AND LAUGH. That’s my motto.  The choice is clear. NYPD.
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