...whoop-whoop-whoop." Need for Speed, Petey Pablo.
Hey lovelies,
This is national police week, and I wanted to share a few thoughts my husband, a former State Trooper (still currently working in law enforcement) put together.
People.
Are you ready to be shocked? Police are people. Police are even sinners in need of a Savior. There are bad, selfish, prideful, deceitful, arrogant, alcoholic, thieving, etc. police. But, in my opinion, these are the exceptions to the once-great profession (though it should be thought of as great now, I think).
Have you ever been rude to a customer service representative, waitress, spouse, etc.? Have you ever lied to get your way (with the best intentions or not)? Have you ever been having some personal issues that just put you in a sour mood and made you less effective at work or when dealing with other people? It's justified when it's you, right?
Everyone has "bad days." However, I think most peoples' bad days don't compare to a cop's bad day. Most people probably don't see a dead body, do a death notification, go to a fatality accident with brains on the concrete, go to a domestic to that one couples' house again, get cussed out by a speeder upset about getting a deserved ticket, see his work ignored in court, and listen to a child describe terrible acts that occurred to him/her (all while knowing the "justice system" will do close to nothing to the perp). And most people don't do this while working some nights, some days, most holidays, etc. while seeing the worst of society at their worst.
All professions have these bad, selfish, prideful, deceitful, arrogant, alcoholic, thieving, etc. people.
Unfortunately for law enforcement, our failures are proclaimed louder than most, our mistakes are pointed out more and are too-oftentimes deadly (killing someone wrongfully can both be a mistake and it can be malicious and criminal), and while hating and disrespecting law enforcement in their minds, people also hold law enforcement to a higher standard (which is fair considering the authority we have). Oh, and by the way, if someone dies fleeing from police in a car chase, that's not the police's fault. If someone has a heart attack after being justifiably tased because of their unlawful actions, that's not the police's fault. It's like if a child disobeys his parents and then gets hurt don't many parents say, "If you had listened to what I said this wouldn't have happened..." Also, a quick search online reveals that anywhere from 500 - 1500 people are shot by law enforcement each year (some justified, some not). At the same time, drunk drivers kill 9000 - 15000 people a year so... maybe don't gripe about cops being out stopping cars?
All that to say, please try to have a little understanding when a cop is rude to you (which most often seems to go along with getting a ticket that... honestly, you deserved, right?). Please try to have a little understanding when a cop makes a split second decision that you can then disagree with using all the time you want in an environment that doesn't threaten your life. Please try to understand that when it gets down to it, you don't want to live in a society where police don't enforce the law, patrol your neighborhoods, chase down law breakers, keep you and others safe by slowing you down, and rescue you when you dial 911. Please remember that cops are doing what most people can't, won't, or don't
want to do. Lastly, remember that the good done by cops day in and day out for the most undeserving, ungrateful public is completely unreported.
So, if you can this week, pray for law enforcement. Heck, maybe even thank an officer for what he does (it probably won't happen again for a few years if that officer is lucky enough to be thanked again). Don't thank me -- my wife respects what I do and that's enough for me.
I am so proud of my husband for how hard he works to serve and protect. Thank you honey, and all law enforcement out there, for working at a tough job to keep us safe!
