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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

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Am i unreasonable?police officer

116 replies

Fedup121 · 11/02/2021 20:20

Bit of a moany post but im getting fed up.
My partner is a police officer we have been together a few years, and we split for a year and got back together..
Anyway i just feel like all he cares about is his job, hes had a really good job in the police working 9-5 very lucky! He has then taken another job where he travels and never knows what time hes finishing, and he took it without discussing it with me first. So as today stands i havent seen him for a week, he never texts or calls ( hes always been bad for this but even worse now) is it that hard to call me when finished 🤷‍♀️
Our son is missing him too, ive asked how long this job is on for and he said 6 months roughly, but he also said to me he wants me to be more supportive and understand his job and that he needs to enjoy the job hes doing so if thats the hours thats it. We dont live together but when he does stay he will put kids to bed and then go to sleep ! He says he still loves me and wants to be together but im struggling alot. We split for a year and he promised when we got back together we would be his priority but hes worse than ever. Hes a good man and ive had horrible relationships but i just dont feel loved! Does it get better ?

OP posts:
Somethingkindaoooo · 14/02/2021 07:52

OP
The kids are his?

And he can't be bothered to get in touch for a week at a time?
I'm not a police officer, but surely he could take 10 mins out to call his kids.

Are you conflating his long hours with him not being committed? I'm pretty sure someone can have a tough job, but still be committed.

It doesn't sound like you're asking for much, but he' s not delivering on your bare minimum.

yesyoudoknowme · 14/02/2021 08:10

You do realise he probably has another life don't you? Almost certainly with another woman. Police are notoriously bad at relationships, most of the ones I know have had multiple relationships, and marriages, and children. I would steel yourself to finding out you aren't the only one is his life and, to use a well known MN phrase - get your ducks in a row. (I actually heard someone use that phrase in RL in a zoom call. If it hadn't been a bloke I'd have thought MN user!)

ivykaty44 · 14/02/2021 08:14

How can you be supportive when he doesn’t communicate with you?

DalryPlace · 14/02/2021 17:14

Police are notoriously bad at relationships, most of the ones I know have had multiple relationships, and marriages, and children.

I agree with you though doesn't mean this particular man is cheating, but certainly that he isn't committed to his family.

When I met my now ex, I couldn't keep track. We'd meet 'couples' and afterwards it would be "she was married to...who is now with...and he was with...and is now married to" - sometimes we'd even be out with a married police officer and his girlfriend - all quite blatant and accepted.

It was a standing joke in the force my Ex is part of that all the 'county constabulary kids looked alike'. 😂

IfIHadAHeart · 14/02/2021 17:39

I’m a police officer on response, and on certain weeks where I work a full set of late shifts I don’t see my husband and kids for 5 days )in normal times when they are at work/school).

Sometimes I’m 5+ hours late off. I miss birthdays, social events, class assemblies, romantic meals, date nights, parents evening. It’s a bit of a cliche but it really is more than a job. I love what I do and would never consider giving it up. Most of my colleagues are the same. To make a marriage or relationship work, the non-police partner sort of has to accept that they won’t come first, or that plans will be cancelled or that their partner won’t be there for an occasion where you’d like them to be. It’s not for everyone, and if you want more then that’s absolutely your right. But I don’t think your partner will change.

It’s not ok for him to be going back on promises made, but I think ultimately it will come down to your decision to either accept things as they are, or not. It is really tough being the partner of a police officer and I know how lucky I am to have the support of my DH (who is very proud of what I do). Only you can decide.

Just on two other points, pay in the police is based on rank and time served - there are no pay increases for moving from neighbourhood policing to a county lines team for example. Pay rises are only if move up a pay scale due to time served, or are promoted.

Affairs are every bit as common as people think, but nothing in the OP makes me think this is more likely than that he’s just job-pissed. How long has he been in, OP?

Fedup121 · 15/02/2021 13:11

We have split i decided this life isn't for me anymore

OP posts:
Hubblebubble75 · 15/02/2021 13:12

@Fedup121 big hug , what was the discussion? Was he not able to agree to any changes

Fedup121 · 15/02/2021 13:15

[quote Hubblebubble75]@Fedup121 big hug , what was the discussion? Was he not able to agree to any changes[/quote]
He promised the job was for 6 months and it would go back to 9-4 after. I asked if he could give up the Saturday job (nothing to do with police job) for the 6 months so we atleast got every weekend together and he said he can't do that as he needs the money (eye roll) so I just can't fight for someone so selfish we sacrifice so much and he doesn't hes living life as he wants it

OP posts:
Hubblebubble75 · 15/02/2021 13:18

Yes, there has to be some compromise. Saturday Money or your family - it’s not a hard contest is it. What did he say when you called it quits? Do you think he might reconsider anything now he knows you’re serious ( although you split before didn’t you and he didn’t change after :/ )

Fedup121 · 15/02/2021 13:57

@Hubblebubble75

Yes, there has to be some compromise. Saturday Money or your family - it’s not a hard contest is it. What did he say when you called it quits? Do you think he might reconsider anything now he knows you’re serious ( although you split before didn’t you and he didn’t change after :/ )
I did it over message which is terrible, I've had no response now so he will either be busy or thinking it over. I thought it was quite fair what I suggested but clearly not to him 🤷‍♀️ there's no compromise with him ever he wants it all his way and that's not how relationships work. If I was given that choice I'd say yes ill give it up for the 6 months, but he says he's contracted for the year so he can't just do that 🙄
OP posts:
Beefcurtains79 · 16/02/2021 07:36

He sounds unbelievably selfish. He wants the Saturday job money more than he wants to spend time with his child. He is not a great dad by any stretch of the imagination, no one who consistently puts their job before their family can be.

Fedup121 · 16/02/2021 08:38

@Beefcurtains79

He sounds unbelievably selfish. He wants the Saturday job money more than he wants to spend time with his child. He is not a great dad by any stretch of the imagination, no one who consistently puts their job before their family can be.
I know im quite literally sick of him and his crap if I'm honest
OP posts:
harknesswitch · 16/02/2021 08:42

It doesn't sound like a relationship, sounds like he's got a part time family (when it suits him) and fuck buddy in you and the dc. He comes and goes as he pleases and makes decisions with no thought to any of you.

In your shoes op I'd not be wasting my time with him, give you and your dc the chance of a proper life without sitting on the sidelines waiting to be picked by him when he can be arsed

Icequeen01 · 16/02/2021 10:16

I'm so sorry to hear your update @Fedup121 but you are right to end this. He isn't ever going to change and he will always be married to the job. I see his 6 month attachment turned out to be 12 months!

You sound very strong (although you probably don't feel it at the moment). You will come out the other side of this and will be able to create a much better life without him for you and your DC. At the moment all he brings to your life is stress, anger and heartache. No-one would willingly invite those things into their life.

Good luck to you and your DC. I hope you are able to move on and find someone who loves and respects you as you deserve.

CagneyNYPD · 16/02/2021 10:39

I think that you have done the right thing. After being apart for a year, this is the point where you both should be working hard to rebuild the relationship. Not making things even harder.

I agree that the new police job was possibly on the cards before you got back together, so that is that. But the extra work on a Saturday makes absolutely no sense. He's working all hours during the week which he knows is putting stress on the relationship. He then chooses to add more stress by choosing to work on Saturdays. This would be the deal breaker for me because he is choosing to put unnecessary stress on your fragile relationship.

So he has made is choice and you have made yours. Focus now on the practicalities, financial, contact etc.

billy1966 · 16/02/2021 11:50

Well done OP.

He wants you sat at home, doing it all while he lives his life without any responsibility.

Move on.
He isn't worth it.
He has made his decision and priorities clear.

Well done for not moving back and taking your time.
You have wisely saved yourself and children a lot of turmoil.

Actions not words is the key to the truth.
Flowers

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