…mark it on your calendars folks!
There is no arguing that police and law enforcement has been under attack for many months now, both verbally and on the streets.
The men and women who go out each and every day are being targeted for nothing more than the uniform they wear and the stand they take. It’s not fair that the entire profession has been thrown under the bus by government leaders looking to pander to a very vocal minority or that the actions done lawfully have been perverted into something they are not.
It’s time for each and every one of us to add our voices and show our support for the truth that we believe in the good men and women that risk all they have for society to ensure that our safety is secured and our rights are protected.
Thanks to C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors), Law Enforcement Appreciation Day was created to do just that and on January 9th, they are asking that you do a few very simple, yet incredibly meaning full things to let our guardians know that they are appreciated and supported by the people who matter most…law abiding citizens without an agenda.
From the COPS Website:
Can you imagine going to work each day and wondering if you’ll survive your shift and see your family that night? Most people can’t. But in law enforcement, this is a fact of life. Each day 780,000 police officers across our country put a badge on and go to work knowing they may face extremely dangerous situations. Yet, they go to work anyway. Being a law enforcement officer is not just a job, it is a calling. The pay is low, the hours can be terrible, and there is sometimes little appreciation for what you do. Yet, they do it anyway.
What the public doesn’t see is the toll law enforcement takes to keep our communities safe. On average, between 105 and 203 officers die in the line of duty each year, 50,000 officers are assaulted in the line of duty each year, 14,000 officers are injured in the line of duty each year, and over 300 officers commit suicide each year. There is no other profession in the world, except possibly the military, where you will find these kinds of statistics.
Here is what you can do to show your support:
- Change your profile picture on social media to the .jpg image attached to this event
- See a police officer? Thank a police officer
- Wear blue clothing in support of law enforcement
- Send a card of support to your local police department or state agency
- Share a positive story about a positive law enforcement experience on social media
- Ask children in your community write letters in support of law enforcement
- Participate in Project Blue Light. Proudly display your blue light in support of law enforcement.
- Organize an event or a rally in support of your law enforcement officers
- Advertise your support through local media outlets/billboards
- Post the public service announcement (the video above) supplied by C.O.P.S. to your law enforcement’s webpage or social media pages
Right click and save this picture to share on your social media.
I’ll be wearing blue, showing blue and sharing blue…will you?
To learn more about COPS, please visit their website, like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter and subscribe to them on YouTube
Shut The F*%$#+^K UP!
I really can’t think of nice way to say this, so I’m just going to say it straight out…
On a daily basis lately I have been reading stories about police officers and sheriff deputies being disciplined, called out and fired for not being able to keep their mouths shut and their fingers off keyboards.
There is no arguing that this is a very difficult time for law enforcement. Everyone and their sister is enjoying the ‘pile on police’ band wagon right now because of some very high-profile cases that have put a very bright light on the profession.
Understandably it is very frustrating for officers that are seeing attack after attack and there comes a point when enough is enough and you
speaktype up.The problem is that generally officers are speaking from a position of emotion and passion which can often lead to the post button being pushed before the filter has time to catch up with the thought and action.
The result? Investigations, punishment, unemployment.
The most ridiculous part is every time an officer puts themselves in that position, the press grabs the story, writes it up and delivers more ammunition for the people condemning police actions.
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I totally get it. You are frustrated because the media has had a field day with the ability to provide advertisers metrics that are out of this world because everyone gets to see the feeding frenzy as it happens. You are frustrated because NO ONE is countering the half-truths, misinformation, misleading headlines and out-and-out lies. NO ONE is standing up for the rank and file.
Why? I have no idea. Professional communicators will march out some tired old canned response that doesn’t get any airplay. Police ‘leaders’ will sit stoically silent because that is what they learned from their mentors 20 years ago. Up and comers will properly pander so that they look and smell good for the next interview.
The most common advice I’ve been hearing that officers are receiving has sounded something like this, “Remember what you say will reflect on the department.”
Guess what? If officers have no faith in their department leadership do you really think they care how their words will reflect on the department?
What the officers need to hear is, “Understand that whatever you say on social media can come back to harm you. Private is never truly private and you will never win an argument with a rock so don’t try.”
You will not stand a chance out there so just SHUT THE F UP.
I would be remiss if I brought you this far and didn’t offer you options so here are five sure-fire responses that will protect you and your future.
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1.) I support any police officer who conducts themselves lawfully and above reproach.
2.) While I may have a personal opinion on the matter, until the facts come out, I will keep those opinions to myself because everyone is entitled to be judged with facts, not with rumors and opinion.
3.) I love discussing important issues with informed and open-minded people. (Then don’t say anything else…some people will get it.)
4.) To say that police are killing and beating people in the ways that are being reported is false, not supported by facts and proven wrong simply by the fact it’s not happening everywhere all the time.
5.)
I truly hope you get the intent of this post…I don’t want to see any more police in the news for being stupid and letting their emotions get the best of them.
Please, just
PS….some of you will suddenly get number 5. Others, please read this post again.
Oh and PLEEEEEEEEEEASE stop saying that the public doesn’t know the job so they can’t comment and or telling them only the worst parts of the job that you face. Most people that you want to influence know all that by now. The others really don’t care and the one’s in the know will call BS on you and you’re then screwed because you know it’s not all doom and gloom.
Recent Stories About This Issue
http://www.gopusa.com/news/2014/12/13/police-officer-disciplined-for-playing-sweet-home-alabama-at-protest-march/
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/12/12/5380221/salisbury-police-officer-fired.html#.VIzwzKTF9rk
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/crime/article/Community-clashes-over-firing-of-2-law-officers-5950432.php
http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/29/us/officer-fired-ferguson/
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20140929/news/140928179/
http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/Local-Police-Officers-Facebook-Rant-Has-Town-Buzzing-269887351.html
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/officer-leave-tweets-threaten-protesters-27621042
http://www.wbaltv.com/news/many-critical-of-911-dispatchers-comments-on-police/30367336
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