On-duty law enforcement officers often face unique challenges, and one of the most relatable is the struggle to eat properly while on the job. Cops are frequently forced to eat on the run, consuming food quickly and sometimes in the strangest places. While many officers strive to maintain a healthy diet, the realities of the job often lead to less-than-ideal culinary experiences. Here are a few memorable on-duty eating experiences:
Sharing Tommy’s hamburgers with partners on the graveyard shift behind the Sports Authority complex, using the trunk of a police unit as a makeshift table. This practice was repeated with Guadalupe’s Burritos. The officer assigned the car on day watch after a graveyard shift Tommy’s run had the “pleasure” of smelling it all day long.
Eating a chicken bowl in my undercover vehicle with my partner at midnight, while conducting surveillance on a drug-money-launderers stash-pad, waiting for a judge to sign a search warrant. This seemed to be a weekly occurrence while working narcotics.
Once, working graveyard, each officer brought a different item to work in order to have a full-blown BBQ cookout in the basement of our parking garage—minus the beer, of course. It was a creative way to boost morale and enjoy a meal together.
Hundreds of occasions eating fast food in the report writing room at the police department, working after hours to complete arrest reports. The endless paperwork often meant sacrificing a proper meal for convenience.
A narc partner would frequently deliver a Costco dog while I sat at my computer typing a search warrant affidavit. When the table was turned, I delivered coffee since that was her nutritional staple. We supported each other’s caffeine and caloric needs.
Working uniformed patrol at a Fiesta in town, which was like a county fair, many food vendors offered freebies. As a result, we would consume “grilled this and fried that.” Once the eclectic food combination hit our digestive system, we needed to slurp a bottle of Pepto-Bismol. The price of free food!
Having pizza delivered to a suspect’s house while involved in hours of searching and collecting evidence during a search warrant service. The aroma of pizza in the midst of a tense situation was certainly surreal.
Not mentioned are hundreds of occasions snacking on granola bars, etc. while sitting on a perimeter, or engaged in a tactical callout. These quick snacks were essential for maintaining energy during long and demanding operations.
Consider reading this article, Overtime Eating: 3 Nutrition Tips for Extra Work Hours, if my illustrations have made you nauseous.
These are a few of my “fine-dining” experiences. What are yours?
– Jim McNeff