HayesGreener
Ronin
Today is National Peace Officer's Memorial Day and this is National Police Week, and I have something to say.
My career in Law Enforcement began in 1970, when pay was low and violence against officers was high. Throughout my career, I was in awe of the men and women of law enforcement around me who went in harm's way in service to others. As a young officer, every day was exciting and a challenge, but what always impressed me was the willingness of these men and women to put service to others above their own personal safety and prosperity. Most of them could make a lot more money in private business but chose the path of service instead. I came to understand that the profession is a calling, and most who are drawn to it have a servant's heart.
Yes some of those individuals became LEO's for the wrong reasons, and some with human failings betrayed the trust of their communities, but they were an extremely small percentage. We exerted a lot of effort to exclude those individuals from the field. We can find examples of officer misconduct, but the vast majority of officers are courageous, honorable men and women trying to do the right thing every day. Our communities are safer and better places because of their commitment and service. One only needs to observe the chaos and mayhem that occurs when they are absent or restrained in their duties to understand just how much they do to keep us safe.
I was present when officers delivered babies, saved lives with CPR, pulled people and pets from burning cars and homes, rescued a drowning child, and stopped murders and other crimes in progress. I was also present at crash scenes where adults and children were maimed or killed, and at domestic violence scenes where human savagery reaches its most base level. I was present when we knocked on the doors of immediate families in the middle of the night to notify next of kin of deaths of loved ones. I have been present when shots were fired at officers and when officers fired back, and have many times witnessed firsthand what I refer to as media brutality. There were countless SWAT responses where officers dealt with the most violent and desperate, and the degree of restraint in the use of force defies understanding of those who have not worked in the field. And I have seen the terrible emotional toll taken on the officers themselves from what they have experienced.
Much of my energy over the years was devoted to training officers in the use of force, and I am convinced that the more proficient they are in the use of force the less likely they will use it inappropriately.
I studied countless police officer killings to gain an understanding of training and equipment shortfalls, and taught officer survival for many years. In many cases mistakes were made, but in most cases there were factors beyond the officer's control. But Courage of officers has never been in short supply.
I have also attended far too many police funerals in my lifetime, in honor of those officers who put their lives on the line for their communities and lost. It is for them that this day of remembrance, and this week, are dedicated to. Please my friends take a moment to reflect upon what it takes for an officer to go into harms way for us every day. And if you are every in our National Capitol, I urge you to visit the Law Enforcement Officer Memorial and Museum.
My career in Law Enforcement began in 1970, when pay was low and violence against officers was high. Throughout my career, I was in awe of the men and women of law enforcement around me who went in harm's way in service to others. As a young officer, every day was exciting and a challenge, but what always impressed me was the willingness of these men and women to put service to others above their own personal safety and prosperity. Most of them could make a lot more money in private business but chose the path of service instead. I came to understand that the profession is a calling, and most who are drawn to it have a servant's heart.
Yes some of those individuals became LEO's for the wrong reasons, and some with human failings betrayed the trust of their communities, but they were an extremely small percentage. We exerted a lot of effort to exclude those individuals from the field. We can find examples of officer misconduct, but the vast majority of officers are courageous, honorable men and women trying to do the right thing every day. Our communities are safer and better places because of their commitment and service. One only needs to observe the chaos and mayhem that occurs when they are absent or restrained in their duties to understand just how much they do to keep us safe.
I was present when officers delivered babies, saved lives with CPR, pulled people and pets from burning cars and homes, rescued a drowning child, and stopped murders and other crimes in progress. I was also present at crash scenes where adults and children were maimed or killed, and at domestic violence scenes where human savagery reaches its most base level. I was present when we knocked on the doors of immediate families in the middle of the night to notify next of kin of deaths of loved ones. I have been present when shots were fired at officers and when officers fired back, and have many times witnessed firsthand what I refer to as media brutality. There were countless SWAT responses where officers dealt with the most violent and desperate, and the degree of restraint in the use of force defies understanding of those who have not worked in the field. And I have seen the terrible emotional toll taken on the officers themselves from what they have experienced.
Much of my energy over the years was devoted to training officers in the use of force, and I am convinced that the more proficient they are in the use of force the less likely they will use it inappropriately.
I studied countless police officer killings to gain an understanding of training and equipment shortfalls, and taught officer survival for many years. In many cases mistakes were made, but in most cases there were factors beyond the officer's control. But Courage of officers has never been in short supply.
I have also attended far too many police funerals in my lifetime, in honor of those officers who put their lives on the line for their communities and lost. It is for them that this day of remembrance, and this week, are dedicated to. Please my friends take a moment to reflect upon what it takes for an officer to go into harms way for us every day. And if you are every in our National Capitol, I urge you to visit the Law Enforcement Officer Memorial and Museum.
. In my small community there are a few that show "I have a badge and right about everything" mentality. With knowing Texas Rangers, DPS and good friends with enough LEOs that I can whole-heartedly trust I know who to call other than 911. With my recent bout with an officer has proven disconcerting.
