Respecting The Badge Should Not Be A Question

Being connected to every news source possible and an avid user of social media, I see many comments made by the general public when it comes to our local police department. I’m not going to mince words here when I say that I am completely pissed that so many have such negative comments about our first responders.

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I think many forget that first and foremost, police officers are human. That being said, yes there are going to be a few errors in judgment in some situations. On the flip side of that coin I also think that many also forget that when put in the situation that officers are often put into, sometimes a split decision needs to be made. In the field of law enforcement, hesitation in decision making can mean serious injury or even death for an officer.

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Secondly, I have to lean on the side of the police officer in their decision making and actions when it comes to dealing with the criminal element. Until we have walked in their shoes on any given day none of us have the right to pass judgment on their actions. I think that many tend to forget that in a typical day most people have jobs or activities that for the most part they are safe and will return home to their friends and families.

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In the case of a police officer, it is not a guarantee that when they hit the proverbial clock to begin working, they will come home. What starts out as a simple traffic stop can quickly turn into a deadly situation for an officer with little to no warning. There have been many officers killed in the line of duty, just for the simple fact that they are police officers.

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Another issue that I have noticed is that persons on a lower socioeconomic level tend to have a complete dislike and disrespect for law enforcement in general. This is a growing trend that has been backed by many studies. I’m not completely sure of the reasoning other than according to several studies, many with a lower socioeconomic  status are not always on the right side of the law in all that they do which equates hate for “the man”.

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As I wrap-up my ramblings I would have to encourage everyone that before you blast an officer, until you have walked a day in their shoes you might want to rethink your harsh opinions and comments. Remember, they chose that career to serve and protect you. Let them do it without regret.