Respect

The image above is known as the thin blue line. Police officers wear this badge with pride. It denotes the fine line between good and bad. The blue line represents the men and women who put their hearts and souls and  lives into their work. The blue line separates good and evil...or in translation, police officers are the defense that protects the rest of us from those who would seek to harm us, our family and loved ones, our property, and all that encompasses.

I have witnessed, first hand, the comradery between the men and women who serve as law enforcement. It is a bond that is not easily shaken. They will stand side by side in solidarity to uphold what is right and fight against what is wrong.

I am married to a police officer. I know the insane hours they work, the sickening situations they are involved in, the heart wrenching scenarios, the dangerous moments, and the memorable moments that have shaped their lives. I've spent hours awake, wringing my hands with worry..knowing my husband was on a call where there were weapons involved and that he and his comrade's lives were at risk. I've sat by the phone all night, just waiting to hear that they all were OK. I've cried when I knew he was going to miss a special family event because somewhere, someone needed help more than I needed to have him home to celebrate a birthday.

But they continue to go back for every shift. It isn't for the pay or the glamour. These people choose this profession because there is a part of them that is called to it. They feel a strong sense of community and duty to their fellow person. They put their lives on the line every time they suit up and hit the streets..all because the drive to protect others is so strong.

As with all professions. There are a few who have no place in law enforcement. They abuse their power. They abuse people. Law enforcement is not unique in that sense. In any situation, you will have someone who's personal gain drives them to make terrible choices.

I have noticed a rise (or maybe I started paying attention more) in demeaning comments and jokes aimed at law enforcement. Some of these comments are fueled from tragic events involving a "bad egg". Some of the jokes are made because a person got a ticket...and now they are bitter and feel it's OK to disrespect police officers. The media focuses on the situations that will get the most publicity and yet, ignore the thousands of officers who are doing good and positive things in our communities.

I take offense to these types of things. Not only because I stand firm in the belief that stereotyping is harmful as a whole, but because I have experienced what most police officers really stand for. Justice, equality, safety, security..to name a few things. They will risk their own lives to save a person they have never met. That's more than I can say many of us would do when faced with a situation like that.

I just want to take a moment to thank all of you who proudly earned your place in law enforcement. You are the first people to be called on in an emergency and the first people to be demeaned for doing a job that most wouldn't have the capacity to do.

I also want to challenge the rest of you to really think about what being a police officer entails. Think of all the scary and dangerous scenarios that you can....and that is what they face. Think about what you would do in a situation where your family's lives were at risk, who would you call on? Go beyond that and think about that officer's personal life. Most of them have families and loved ones of their own..who want them home safe.

Please consider things like this before negatively speaking of the very people who live to serve and protect you and yours.