The face was distinctly familiar. But it was shocking to find the completely subdued, well-built guy with all his respect for the law, walking in and standing with his head bent waiting for the officer to recognise him.
There is an advantage in having friends at the law enforcement agencies. It’s possible to watch the cat and mouse game the officers play and the way they understand and analyse the criminals is interesting. The sincerity with which the officers work is very clearly evident, contrary to the way they are portrayed in films.
The don who walked in with humility, was waiting for words of encouragement from the officer. Lifting his head finally, the officer who had seen him in different avatars told him that he alone could redeem himself by keeping away from trouble.

The guy nodded and promised that he would follow his advise. Then he fell at his feet seeking his blessings. The moment he walked out, I realised that it was a drama enacted by both.

The don was buying time, but the officer knew very well that he was doing exactly that and played along. It is sad, the officer reminisced that what happens is rarely reflected in public, as law enforcers are always viewed with suspicion despite the great lengths they go  to protect people's lives.

This was very evident to me, when a top ranking officer during the height of communal tension belonging to a particular community, was posted to Mysore. Instead of sympathising with the member of his community who was apparently responsible in inciting communal passions, he took him to task and in no uncertain terms told him that he had betrayed his own community.

My respect for the officer leapt and I was proud that one of my friends was true to his ideals had stood the test of time. There are many such sincere officers in the force and it is high time that they get their due.

Having watched the police at close quarters as a child in Mysore, as the curio shop my father was running was located just below the police station, I have only empathy for them because it is always “Damned if you do and damned if you don’t.”