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Journal of a Chicago Northshore Police Officer
Chapter 65a
Names of officers, except the Chief, were changed.
PLAYING PRANKS ON FELLOW OFFICERS
Yes, police officers do have a little fun at times. It does not always have to be cops and robbers or cowboys and Indians.
I recall one evening I was assigned to the 4 to 12 shift and Officer Mushofer was scheduled for the 12 to 8:00 a.m., shift. We were still in the old police station and really had no place to park the squad unless you left it out front or you parked it in the rear along side of the building. There was an old shed back there and we parked a back up station wagon that we used for unmarked assignments or chasing dogs at times. So, due to the old wagon being in the shed and the fact I was feeling a little playful on this night, I chose to park to the rear of the building. After all there was a stockade fence around the side and rear of the police station and no one could see the squad parked there, unless, you were facing the driveway on the south side of the building.
We would install our own equipment when our department purchased a new squad car. This squad was only a few days old and some of the officers still were not fully aware of where some of the buttons and switches where located.
If you wanted to turn on the spotlight, the overhead red lights and or the siren you would of course have to turn on the key first. This night was going to be different for Officer Mushafer when he came on duty. No, nothing that was harmful just a little joke to get him in the mood for action or to get his heart pumping. I know ... isn't it awful taking advantage of a fellow officer like that?
We discussed what type of calls we had after roll call and I advised Officer Mushofer that I had filled the fuel tank on the squad for him and it was parked at the rear of the building. He thanked me for doing that, told us a few jokes and then went into the wash room.
I quickly told the other officers and the dispatcher of what was going to happen the minute he entered the squad and turns on the key to start the engine.
They all took their places so they could view the fun. I got into my vehicle and drove around the block and placed myself so I could see the lights when he started the squad.
Officer Mushofer entered the squad and got his seat all adjusted, placed his little pillow between the drivers seat and his back, placed his case on the right front seat and got down to business. His next step was to turn the key.
I don't think at any other time in history that there were so many fellow officers watching another getting ready to go out on his tour of duty. Unless, a movie theater. And this show was about to begin.
The key was turned and all hell broke loose. I had turned the yep siren to full yep, set the spotlight where it would shine right into the eyes of the driver, turned on the over head red lights, turned on the alley upper side lights and for kicks also turned on the wipers and four way flashers.
Now what do you think happens to someone when all this happens at once? Well first of all, you become confused. Here the light is shinning right into your eyes, so that is distracting. The siren is yelping up and down. The wipers are going side to side and the four ways and head and taillights are flashing.
What do you do first? Well Officer Mushofer didn't know what to do. He finally turned the key off for a second or two, then turned it back on. Well of course it started all over again. I'm sorry, I am very, sorry, but that was so damn funny and I knew I was only leaving myself wide open for future practical jokes.
One of the fellow officers that had witnessed the joke in progress came out and told Officer Mushofer to turn off the key. Once the key was turned off, the officer asked Mushofer to step out of the squad and let him take a look at it. He got inside and turned everything off and then turned on the key and the squad started and set there and ran perfectly.
"What the hell did you do?" Asked Mushofer. "Well, I really don't know replied the other officer, I just turned the key on and everything worked o.k. Mushofer, you must have hit a master switch or something, but now it seems to be o.k." As the officer, was trying his best to hold back the laughter.
Officer Mushofer got into the squad turned the key and pulled out of the driveway and began his tour of duty. The other officers just completely broke up and doubled over with laughter. I was laughing so hard tears were running down my face and my jaw, and even my teeth, were hurting from all of the laughter.
Officer Mushofer never gave it a second thought and as far as I know he was never told the true facts about that night and his experiences, with the new squad.
James D. Fullington (Deputy2)
© All Rights Reserved
October 13, 2000
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