Admittedly, it’s been a rough couple of years for law enforcement. I’ve watched over the course of that time, civilians who I interact with on a daily basis go from smiling when I approach and extend a greeting to a reaction of almost open hostility at just speaking with me and these are NOT field interviews or anyone I have ever been anything other than polite and pleasant to, all due to the national media diatribe promoting (usually, but not always, falsely) a perspective that just isn’t born out by the facts. I could go on with statistics that would fill the page with how the overall findings of the “cases” of abuse either don’t show the whole encounter, have been doctored by the media or interested groups, or flat out covered up by politicians in order to gain re-election. Those of you who have taken the time to read my past posts know the importance I place on interpersonal reactions with the public and how law enforcement should strive to not be so insular in their personal relationships to not only be more balanced in themselves but the standing of respect in the community. Lately, however, in addition to the aforementioned problems, other instances have arisen that seems to put a greater divide between the general public and law enforcement including instances of police officers food being poisoned by fast food workers who have never interacted with the particular officer but did it just because they “hate the police.” Almost every officer I know now feels like they are working with the sword of Damocles over their head and are in a no win situation no matter what action they take. As I said before, there are documented instances in which an officer has broken the law and should be punished for it; but I would propose that, excluding the military, those in most other professions abuse their positions/jobs more than sworn officers or armed forces. Yes, training should be revamped and there are those working very hard across the nation to do just that including mentoring and the concepts of being an ethical protector. That said, I think a societal paradigm shift that has occurred in the last few decades needs to be addressed. Simply put (to all), respect is a two way street and you do NOT get to do whatever you feel like doing! Today we see young people old enough to shoulder a weapon and stand a post complain about needing a “safe space” when in generations past your safe space was beside your comrade watching your flank while going through fire. If you can’t handle words that “offend” you, how the hell are you going to take any type of critique that may make you a better person!? To compound matters, several websites and groups have put out advice for when being stopped by law enforcement that is not only flat out wrong, but almost guaranteed to compound the problem; for law enforcement, again further training to see the subject as an actual person and not a potential threat ONLY (which, due to the current climate, is becoming more and more common out of FEAR of action). BOTH sides need to look beyond a uniform or preconceived idea of the person standing before them.
A few examples of what I’m talking about happened a year or so ago that I think illustrate the point. The first happened while attending a party during which I stepped outside for a smoke and was joined by another person who, while acquainted with, I didn’t know particularly well. during the course of our conversation (mostly complaining about our jobs) she asked what I did for a living and I told her that I was a cop. The reaction she had was one of shock and disbelief. I literally had to show her my badge before she believed me. She went on from there to tell me how all cops were bad and that she hated all police; except present company because of perceived abuse of the community. Now had I been the man I was ten years ago, I might have lost it and went off on how the statistics just don’t hold up to that view but instead, I took a step back and two thoughts went through my head;
1; If I’m going to practice what I preach, I kind of succeeded already with this person because her reaction of finding out that the person she was standing there talking to was so far removed from her preconception of law enforcement that she literally couldn’t believe I did what I do for a living.
2; How jacked up is it for a person to say that they HATE everyone in a chosen profession “except present company”? Just because they exclude you, does that make the statement any less wrong? Think of it this way if having trouble following; instead of a profession, substitute any ethnic group or race into that statement and see how it reads.
The next, and last example, of this I during the last Christmas season my girlfriend and I were shopping in a downtown retail district and she stepped into a running store and I took the time to grab a cigarette. Next to the running store is an ice cream shop. While standing there, an elderly couple approached the ice cream store; the man waling while the woman was confined to a wheelchair. When I was about to get the door for the couple, she stated that since it was so warm for the time of year, she wanted to stay outside while her husband went in to order. While I continued my cigarette, I watched several dozen people walk around and past this frail elderly woman without so much as a glance or a word; then someone approached her. The person who walked up to her was another officer (off duty and in plain clothes) in my department walking with his son of about 10. He stopped and asked the old woman if she needed any help. She told him no and that she was waiting for her husband who was inside. My fellow officer said ok and to have a Merry Christmas and went on his way never knowing that I was there and had observed the whole encounter and the example he had set for his son (and me) that day. A few days later I spoke to the officer mentioning that I had seen him on a particular day but not the details and he told me offhandedly that he was on his way to dress up as Santa Claus for a group of underprivileged children to help compile a list of wished for presents. I became proud to be a cop again.
If we adults are beyond hope, perhaps the only way out of this morass is to try and do a better job setting an example for the next generations; it may be our only shot. Also, the next time you see an act of kindness or concern for another person, stop and think that that person might be one of those you “hate” if wearing a different outfit… 
