(a.k.a. - The Beauty of the AND - if you read my prior article, you see that it's not an Either/Or, it's an AND.)
What happened in Dallas was a tragedy. Good men lost their lives, families were devastated and America looked worse. Our problem isn't Law Enforcement, it's humanity & sin.
I am and have always been a believer and supporter of the Police Department, the Fire Department and the Armed Forces (which is why I'm one of the few who must write hard articles).
Just a few months ago I spoke at the Honor Awards Banquet for the Roseville Police and Firefighters, that Bridgeway paid a lot of money to support. Every Veterans day and Memorial Day we acknowledge those who have been harmed in the defense of our country and homes. I started organizing a huge Thank You, Encouragement Card plan to launch at Bridgeway, just before all of this madness hit. My brother is a senior leader in Law Enforcement and I couldn't be more proud of what he does. I have a security team at my church that protects me at all times made up of current and former Law Enforcement officers (whom I call my friends). Every year I speak at a Nurse's Appreciation Day celebration where I speak of our heroes of today being: Police, Firefighters, Nurses and Teachers. Those are my heroes. Many churches have attorneys, many have business owners, Bridgeway has Law Enforcement. I love that.
What makes that group heroes? Following a calling to help others when the salary doesn't equate to the risk and hardship.
I would humbly suggest the following 7 THINGS THAT AMERICA NEEDS TO REMEMBER ABOUT POLICE OFFICERS specifically (although many apply to Firefighters as well).
1.) The Incredibly Vast Majority of Police Officers ARE the GOOD GUYS - I realize that there are challenges. I realize there is needed reform. I realize there are bad eggs in the carton, but wow, America, the HUGE majority of law enforcement are really, really good people doing really, really good things. I know a LOT of law enforcement and they are terrific people, sacrificing every day. They did not get into this line of work to hurt, but to help. They choose to step in front of danger to protect those around them. Please see this! For the relatively few bad ones there are thousands and thousands of good ones taking the brunt of the criticism and backlash.
2.) Officers are Human - I know many of us want them to be robots, who make every perfect move and don't have any emotion or bias, but that's simply not possible. I know we don't like error or mistakes, but we live in a fallen world where we only have broken human beings to work with. I would rather have a broken human with a good heart out there protecting me than a robot any day. They don't have the choice of perfect, only really wonderful human.
3.) Hesitation Means Casket - I was talking to my friend this weekend who trains SWAT leaders and he said, 'I train my leaders that if they hesitate, we have a funeral for them.' This isn't a video game where you can pause and think it through. Much emergency response is done in split second reaction based on training. It's not like the movies. They have multiple responsibilities at one time: protect the public, protect their own family, stay alive to do it tomorrow. Split second trained minds means usually they get it right, but sometimes they get it wrong. They wished they always got it right.
4.) The Job's Scary & Takes a Massive Toll - we think that because they have a gun and a badge that they feel invincible. They don't. They are made of skin just like the rest of us. Training doesn't make them invisible. They know they are putting themselves in harm's way. They choose to do it so that others don't have to. It's really frightening. The majority of us have never had a gun pulled on them, or been in danger of our lives, but police officers have to face that possibility over and over again. There's a reason why so many Law Enforcement officers have PTSD, just like the military. Our bodies aren't built to sustain such trauma. The divorce rate is terrible among the police due to the weight on families. They are wrecking themselves to serve and protect. With the Dallas attack, there hasn't been a more heightened sense of fear for the police since 9/11.
5.) They Have Families - Almost all of the Law Enforcement men and women that I know have families: wives, husbands, children. This isn't the wild west with the Pony Express hiring orphaned tough guys. These are mamas and daddy's that have little ones at home waiting for them. When they don't come home, worlds are ripped apart. In Dallas 5 worlds were shattered for spouses, children, brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers - 1.) Brent Thompson (recently married) left a wife; 2.) Patrick Zamarripa - father of two. 3.) Michael Krol; 4.) Lorne Ahrens; 5.) Michael Smith - married father of two girls (14 & 9). To anyone who would dare to harm an officer, you are destroying more than just one life. Please rethink what you are doing, and don't do it.
6.) They Have Incredible Restrictions - Just like the military has R.O.E (Rules of Engagement), so do police officers. They don't just get to do whatever they want (contrary to popular belief). They are proverbially handcuffed when doing a very difficult job. The police Department knows the risk of putting people out there with a gun to enforce law and order, and they have put severe restrictions on their officers, so much so, that few would argue they are put in extra danger because of it. They must answer for everything. If their weapon is discharged, they are buried with questions. If there's a complaint it's taken seriously, even if it's bogus. Everything has to be documented in a pile of paperwork. This doesn't even mention how certain communities won't help the police solve crime (like a few recent situations locally in Sacramento, my home town), but in fact shut them off and make it impossible.
7.) They Get Treated Terribly By Many - Maybe in your community officers are looked at like heroes, but that's not the case in many. It's not just the race-relations and challenges with the African-American community (like recent times have shown), it's all over the place. They are referred to as 'pigs' and made fun of. They are disrespected continually because they are there to enforce rules, which people normally want to bend or break. They are mouthed off to from idiots trying to be tough, or the hurt trying to lash out. The color of their uniform suddenly makes them unfairly responsible for everything bad any other officer has done in the past. Being an officer is less than glamorous, needless to say. It's dealing with abuse on a continual basis. In recent days the focus has been on how they treat others (and rightfully so), but we cannot forget to look at both sides of the coin, how they are treated. Many may argue that 'it goes with the job', but why? Why should it? Why should there be disrespect? Why should there be abusive language? Why should there be dishonor?
I could go on, but I won't.
I desperately need our nation (especially those that would let me speak into their lives as their pastor, their friend, an influencer, etc.) to remember that our Police officers are precious to us. We need them. We need to protect the good guys and not let any possible bad guys ruin everything. Police aren't the problem, sin and humanity are the problem.
Some of you reading this are angry at the police. You are angry at the institution. You see only the terrible things. But please take a moment to back up and see the big picture. Harm and dishonor will not solve anything. I know you are desperate to have a voice, but going after the good guys isn't the solution. We are on the same team.
My heart is with all of those that are hurting today.
Pastor Lance
