He's overprotective, but he means well. He is very involved in our lives, but for all the right reasons. Every morning, at 5 a.m. sharp, I hear the garage door erupt from its sleep and a truck engine fire up. My father is leaving for work again. When I was a little girl I could never understand why "Daddy was always working," and my mother would always do her best to explain to my brother, sister and I that "Daddy is off to catch the bad guys."
My dad was and always will be a hero in my eyes. The horrific stories he shares after his long days at work are what keep my siblings and I so grounded. They're what keep us so tentative in the dangerous world that surrounds us. My dad never fails to prepare us for a disaster that most likely won't happen. But what happens when the heroes become the "bad guys?"
It's all over the news everywhere across America. Police have headlined at least one news story every month since I graduated high school. "Police shot and killed another victim," "video leaked of a police officer confrontation with a 5-star teenager," "police corruption in America," the list could go on for pages. Not to mention the non-peaceful protests and police shaming that have just become a part of their everyday work experience. I constantly find myself questioning what it will take for American people to stop and realize what they are doing to their own law enforcement officers.
The training police officers endure is not only physically difficult, but also emotionally exhausting. They are trained to survive and defend. If you come into contact with an officer, and it doesn't end ideally, odds are something that was said or done was not righteous and the officer is only doing what they were trained to do: protect. I think that is the most common misconception when it comes down to a police and citizen "face off."
Yes there are some bad cops in the world who make stupid decisions, but is it fair to shame all police and participate in malicious acts that could not only harm patrols but could potentially kill them as well?
The officer didn't pull you over because you're black, he/she pulled you over because you are talking on your cell phone or are going at least 12 mph over the speed limit. The officer didn't question you walking down the road in the middle of the night because he/she wanted to interrogate you, he/she are simply taking caution for not only your own safety, but the safety of others surrounding you.
When your poor innocent cat is stuck in a tree, when you ever so foolishly lock your keys in your car, when you think your house has been broken into because you carelessly left your front door cracked open, who do you call? When you have gotten into a car accident, when you really truly believe your loved one is in trouble and they aren't going to make it, or when you don't feel safe walking down the street, who do you call? That's right, police officers. But guess what? It doesn't matter because as soon as the help is given the shaming continues. The name-calling, protesting, and even life threatening actions are in full-effect.
What the media portrays and shares with the world is that killings only occur when police are at fault. But what about the officers who stare down the barrel of a gun trying to save someone else's life, not even their own. Or the officers who are brutally killed just for citizen empowerment? Whenever my father walks out that door, I pray to God he returns home that night. Everyday the cycle repeats itself. To be a police officer in recent society is dangerous, disrespected and down right scary.
When my father has to leave family events early or miss my biggest accomplishments I am forced to understand because he is out helping you, a citizen who does not appreciate all he does for the town he is stationed in, over spending time with me, his daughter who is nothing but proud of his never-ending selflessness.
So the next time it's a dire emergency and you have nobody to turn to, why call? Why beg and plea for law enforcement help if it's so corrupt and so untrustworthy.
The truth is, police are essential. The truth is, the police aren't the bad guys. The truth is, the police will always be there for you because it's their job and it's what they love to do. If they're always there to back you up when you need it most, why aren't you there to piece their shattered reputation back together. Why aren't you there supporting the ones who risk their lives day in and day out to keep you safe at night.
The sooner America understands that, the more secure this country will be.
Thank you officers for keeping us safe.
