The public outrage against law enforcement astounds me. It feels as if overnight cops went from being viewed as highly respected heroes who were revered, to despicable humans who are hated and feared.
Blasphemous.
Yes, there are some unscrupulous cops – and priests, doctors, firefighters, nurses, politicians, retail workers, corporate sharks and more. Human beings come in all shapes and sizes, pious and evil. Yet the few bad apples do not spoil the bunch. The number of upstanding individuals in all walks of life far outweigh the number of crooked ones. But a lot of people seem to have forgotten that – and actually hail criminals.
Appreciate the blue because they protect you. When everyone else is fleeing a violent scene, they’re rushing in to help. They don’t know who you are, if you’re armed or not, if you have a record or not. They don’t know what they’re walking into when they take that call and they deal with some harrowing situations – situations that take a heck of a lot more than a social worker. They put their lives on the line for citizens every day – and now they have to worry about being shot at when walking a beat just because they’re cops or turned away from local coffee shops because ‘they make others feel uncomfortable’. What are we becoming as a society?
Yes, there are some unscrupulous ones – few and far between the exceptional, brave and selfless law enforcement officers who put their rear ends on the line for us 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
I back the blue.
When I meet a young man or woman signing on to protect and serve today, I say a prayer and do a double God bless. When I hear children say they want to be police officers when they grow up, my heart both breaks and fills with gratitude – as well as hope.
I back the blue.
How about you?
Thank you isn’t enough for the men and women in blue. To each of you, may God or your higher power of choice always be with you and keep you safe so that you will safely return to your loved ones, day after day, then come home at the end of your final shift.
To all Fir Na Dli (men of law) – may we be reminded that ‘men’ today encompasses both men and women, the brotherhood and the sisterhood – the canines, too: THANK YOU. Please know that there are a countless number of us who appreciate, back and support you.
Stay safe.
