2007年VOA标准英语-Policing in America - a Calling

By Odil Ruzaliev
Alexandria, Virginia
23 August 2007
 

The image many Americans have of police officers comes from television programs in which high-speed chases and dramatic arrests are the norm. In truth, the average day of most police officers is quite different. VOA's Odil Ruzaliev recently spent a day with a local police officer to learn first-hand what it takes to be a lawman. Jim Bertel narrates¹.

Officer Ray Golden

Police Officer Ray Golden is getting ready to go out on his daily patrol in Alexandria, Virginia, a city just outside Washington, DC.  Golden has spent five years working for the Alexandria Police Department. "It is a pride. I grew up here in the City of Alexandria. This is the only real department I really wanted to work for. The people here are pretty much like a family."

"And I really enjoy it. It feels good to me to be able to give back to the city that I grew up in."

Golden receives a call about an alarm going off at a nearby store.  But when he arrives, another officer is already there. It turns out to be a false alarm. That is the essence of a police officer's job - dealing² with the unexpected. 

He gives us an example. "From [the situation] when you think it's going to get out of hand and you think it's going to become violent, and then the person you're dealing with just becomes a comedian³ and everything becomes funny."

Golden enjoys his work.  "This job is a fun job, I love this job. If not, I wouldn't still be here…definitely not doing it for the pay."

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David Baker

Alexandria's Chief of Police, David Baker, has 30 years of experience in policing and commands just over 300 officers. Like Golden, Baker likes his job and thinks of policing as a public service.  "Policing in America is, in some ways, a calling. You don't come in to it for the money, but you come in to it because you have a commitment to public service."

But Golden says people do not always appreciate the police. "General perception of the police, I feel, is no one really likes us until they need us, no one wants to get pulled over for speeding or get that ticket but when someone's breaking into their house, they want us there, they appreciate us then."

Golden continues on with his day.  For now it is quiet, but he is ready for anything to happen.

1 narrates   

v.故事( narrate的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• It narrates the unconstitutional acts of James II. 它历数了詹姆斯二世的违法行为。 来自辞典例句
• Chapter three narrates the economy activity which Jew return the Occident. 第三章讲述了犹太人重返西欧后的经济活动。 来自互联网

2 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

3 comedian   

n.喜剧演员；滑稽演员

参考例句：

• The comedian tickled the crowd with his jokes.喜剧演员的笑话把人们逗乐了。
• The comedian enjoyed great popularity during the 30's.那位喜剧演员在三十年代非常走红。

4 baker   

n.面包师

参考例句：

• The baker bakes his bread in the bakery.面包师在面包房内烤面包。
• The baker frosted the cake with a mixture of sugar and whites of eggs.面包师在蛋糕上撒了一层白糖和蛋清的混合料。