Buddies, Pals, and Coppers
Without getting into the psychology of friendship and this sort of rot, let me be very candid with you. Some people like you for what you are and others don't. It is that simple.
I have seen this happen like the changing of the seasons. A young man or woman graduates the academy and invites some old buddies to the graduation. One of them, although he shows up, feels out of place, for he hates cops—you can read it on his face. He attends and that is it. He doesn't wish to have an introduction or pose for photos. He just wants out of the situation. And he doesn't want to hang out with you any longer, for you are now the law.
Don't believe me yet? Wait until you hear the jokes about donuts, abuse of rights, and the "killed anyone today?" comments. People like this will distance themselves from you like a bad habit. Good riddance, I say. For if they feel this way they are only going to drag you down and they are missing out on something: you.
The military, firefighters, and coppers all have their own but deep kinship. I recall and have a deep place in my heart for my U.S. Army Military Police buddies—Hooah! I recall with fondness my police academy classmates and my pals from my formative patrol days. My old police pals some have gone to a better place and others like me are still kicking. But, we all know that we had and still have each other's back, not turning our back like some of the friends of my young reader. Your new friends will have a bond with you that the college ones never had. I was an only child but I have so many "brothers and sisters of a different womb"; they are my cop kin.
