My Brother

[Sully49]

My brother is a police officer, and was just hired into his department's juvenile investigative division. Can you guys think of a good gift to give him as a 'hey congrats on the new job'? I am trying to think of something that would be useful for him in his new endeavor, but I'm clueless. Thanks!

[willowdared]

Extra-small handcuffs?

[katzeyze]

Extra-small handcuffs?

Heeeey... you stole my answer! No fair!!! Oh, oops sorry I've been dealing with a 3 and 5 year old.

Seriously though, maybe get him a gift certificate to his favorite shoe store? Some kind of nice leather notebook holder if you know what style he uses. Get him a little portable ice chest that plugs in the cigarette lighter to keep drinks cold when he is out driving around? I know those are lame, but if I come up with anything better I'll post it after work.

[Sully49]

Extra-small handcuffs?

Ba-dum tssshhhhh....thanks willowdared And no katzeyez your suggestions aren't lame, I appreciate them. Keep 'em coming guys and gals, I need all the help I can get!

[Irishluck31]

Tums and Preperation H.

[willowdared]

On a serious note....and if your brother is a reader....a couple books I recommend.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon

This is a novel written from the viewpoint of an autistic boy. As someone who spent several years working in Special Ed, and as a one-on-one aide with an autistic child, it is offers incredible insight into a differently wired person.

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

Another novel, this one from the viewpoint of a girl who is raped and murdered by a pedophile. She watches how her death impacts on her family. There are some interesting plot twists, and an ending that is incredible.

You may wonder why I recommend these to a cop? It's because I think they both give voices to those who cannot speak for themselves. It's a peek into the world as seen by a victim, and by a child locked in his own world.

By working with children, your brother will be seeing not just the worst that children can do, but often the worst that can be done to children. There may be days where going to work will take every ounce of fortitude he has, but every day he can make a difference in the life of a child.

[Sully49]

On a serious note....and if your brother is a reader....a couple books I recommend.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon

This is a novel written from the viewpoint of an autistic boy. As someone who spent several years working in Special Ed, and as a one-on-one aide with an autistic child, it is offers incredible insight into a differently wired person.

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

Another novel, this one from the viewpoint of a girl who is raped and murdered by a pedophile. She watches how her death impacts on her family. There are some interesting plot twists, and an ending that is incredible.

You may wonder why I recommend these to a cop? It's because I think they both give voices to those who cannot speak for themselves. It's a peek into the world as seen by a victim, and by a child locked in his own world.

By working with children, your brother will be seeing not just the worst that children can do, but often the worst that can be done to children. There may be days where going to work will take every ounce of fortitude he has, but every day he can make a difference in the life of a child.

What a great suggestion, thanks. I have actually read both of those books. The Lovely Bones is one of my favorites, it really stuck with me. I never even thought of that as an idea.

[GPOC]

Chuckie Cheese gift certifcates

[Hitman2]

How about a nice personally engraved pen?

[BaseballBabe]

My brother is a police officer, and was just hired into his department's juvenile investigative division. Can you guys think of a good gift to give him as a 'hey congrats on the new job'? I am trying to think of something that would be useful for him in his new endeavor, but I'm clueless. Thanks!

Does he like baseball like you? If he does take him to a baseball game.

[Smurfette_76]

Stock in motrin. Oy vey, dealing with all them kids....

[TX_DTO_77]

Desatin and Pampers. Maybe some Johnson's baby shampoo??

[Sully49]

Does he like baseball like you? If he does take him to a baseball game.

I would LOVE TO, but it is impossible to get red sox tix right now. Unless I feel like paying triple face value and I'm just not that rich. I actually went with willowdared's suggestion and got him that book 'the lovely bones' since it deals with a crime against a 14 year old and it's written from her perspective. But thanks to those of you who gave me some good suggestions! I appreciate it.

[Guams]

Desatin and Papmers. Maybe some Johnson's baby shampoo??

I read that completely wrong... and way too fast. I thought you said "Desatin and papsmears." Yikes! Glad I read it again.

*Guams eats his hand.

[Gene L]

Extra-small handcuffs?

I know you were kidding, but here's a real tale about kids and handcuffs that happened this week in my county.

A mom bought her son a pair of real handcuffs from a police supply store. I don't know how old he was, maybe 9 or 10.

He put both cuffs on the same arm, close together with the keyholes facing each other. Couldn't be unlocked.

Anyway, they had to take him to a machine shop to get the cuffs off.

Not relevant, but interesting.

As to the original question, get him a nice leather notepad with a calculator, or a Blackberry or something like that.