Responsible Cops Unite
By C. Henry Martens
I’m going to address this article to the police forces, the people who wear the shield proudly, and should, of our nation. This is for you.
I like cops (I understand that the term cop has been seen as less than respectful in the past, but I hear cops use it all the time now, so if you are offended I apologize in advance). Again, I like cops. I embrace the rule of law. I understand the value of the police in society. I appreciate their hard work. I sympathize with not only the physical dangers they place themselves in, but the emotional desert island they choose by putting on a badge. I honor their service and defend them in my heart, and verbally, if I can possibly justify their actions. That said, I expect them to do their jobs.
“To serve and protect” comes to mind. This is an oath and a phrase that is applied to police cars and is ingrained in the mind as what a citizen should expect from the person appearing as the result of a call to 911.
Largely in by far the majority of cases, people get what they expect… quality service and protection from crime. In many cases if no crime has been committed and police hands are tied by legality, the police are willing to supply advice and strategy to assist you in your own defense until they have something to act on. Good cops sympathize with victims and potential victims.
But just as in all organizations, there is a less attractive side. This is true in the most honored and necessary professions… firefighting, medical practitioners, and educators to name a few… and if you see yourself here this applies to you as well. The darkest side of police work is when the membership fails to enforce responsibility on themselves. When the entire group is colored by the brush of illegitimate activity… and they defend the action instead of dealing appropriately with the issue.
What am I speaking of? Recently there has been a plethora of news dealing in unnecessary violence, especially in the context of racism, and most of the actions resulting in death. Just this week there was national news about thousands of unsupportable convictions due to false testimony by the FBI, several leading to the death penalty. You are better than this.
Where is justice if the very people, the very organization that the public employs to oversee the legal system, refuses to hold itself accountable?
If not we, as a collective of society, at least “I” love you guys and gals in blue. I want the best for you. I have your back. And as such I have to point out that you have become your own worst enemy. Please stand up and be counted. Those of you that live by the rules, by your oath, are the majority… and you can do nothing but benefit from holding yourselves to the highest standard. Be the best. You deserve it. And you are responsible for what you get.
Sometimes being responsible means recognizing there is a problem. Sometimes it means changing policy, even changing custom. Sometimes it means separating good… from bad.
www.readmota.com
I’m going to address this article to the police forces, the people who wear the shield proudly, and should, of our nation. This is for you.
I like cops (I understand that the term cop has been seen as less than respectful in the past, but I hear cops use it all the time now, so if you are offended I apologize in advance). Again, I like cops. I embrace the rule of law. I understand the value of the police in society. I appreciate their hard work. I sympathize with not only the physical dangers they place themselves in, but the emotional desert island they choose by putting on a badge. I honor their service and defend them in my heart, and verbally, if I can possibly justify their actions. That said, I expect them to do their jobs.
“To serve and protect” comes to mind. This is an oath and a phrase that is applied to police cars and is ingrained in the mind as what a citizen should expect from the person appearing as the result of a call to 911.
Largely in by far the majority of cases, people get what they expect… quality service and protection from crime. In many cases if no crime has been committed and police hands are tied by legality, the police are willing to supply advice and strategy to assist you in your own defense until they have something to act on. Good cops sympathize with victims and potential victims.
But just as in all organizations, there is a less attractive side. This is true in the most honored and necessary professions… firefighting, medical practitioners, and educators to name a few… and if you see yourself here this applies to you as well. The darkest side of police work is when the membership fails to enforce responsibility on themselves. When the entire group is colored by the brush of illegitimate activity… and they defend the action instead of dealing appropriately with the issue.
What am I speaking of? Recently there has been a plethora of news dealing in unnecessary violence, especially in the context of racism, and most of the actions resulting in death. Just this week there was national news about thousands of unsupportable convictions due to false testimony by the FBI, several leading to the death penalty. You are better than this.
Where is justice if the very people, the very organization that the public employs to oversee the legal system, refuses to hold itself accountable?
If not we, as a collective of society, at least “I” love you guys and gals in blue. I want the best for you. I have your back. And as such I have to point out that you have become your own worst enemy. Please stand up and be counted. Those of you that live by the rules, by your oath, are the majority… and you can do nothing but benefit from holding yourselves to the highest standard. Be the best. You deserve it. And you are responsible for what you get.
Sometimes being responsible means recognizing there is a problem. Sometimes it means changing policy, even changing custom. Sometimes it means separating good… from bad.
www.readmota.com
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