Click here to download the catalog as a PDF file. To view this site you need Adobe Flash Player and your browser must allow javaScripts. Go here to get the latest Flash Player. RETURN FIRE If the conversation led to problems, I was always able to put in my report the conversation started out in a respectful manner and it was the inmate who denigrated the situation, not me. When I was a fresh-out-of-the-academy corrections officer at Solano State Prison in 1985, I was on the yard, observing inmates going back to their units after they left the chow hall. I saw an inmate throw some trash on the ground and that was a rules violation. Not knowing the inmate’s name I approached him and started the conversation with, “Sir, you need to pick up the trash.” A sergeant, who witnessed the conversation, later told me I shouldn’t start a conversation with an inmate addressing him as “sir.” The sergeant wasn’t aware I’d spent three years as an MP. Nonetheless, for 20 years if I didn’t know an inmate’s name, or in casual conversation, I said “Yes, sir” or “No, sir” to inmates. I did this for many reasons, but Measure Every Word one of the most important was if the conversation led to problems, I was always able to put in my report the conversation started out in a respectful manner and it was the inmate who denigrated the situation, not me. It also served to throw a “curve ball” to the inmate because he wasn’t expecting to be called “sir.” Thomas Hile Retired CDC-CSP-Sol. (Vacaville, CA) Harris, Missouri Comforting As you know, Clint Smith says carrying a gun isn’t supposed to be com- fortable — it’s supposed to be comforting. His words keep haunting me. As of late, I’ve been carrying either (or both) a 9-shot .22 semiauto pocket pistol and a 5-shot .22 micro single-action revolver. I fell victim to that comfort thing, but I now publicly repent! My 7-shot .357 revolver will be back on 10 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • MARCH/APRIL 2010