Dear Mr. Ice Cube,...

“The song is as relevant to me today as it was when we recorded it. We appeal to the good cops to weed out these bad cops and maybe we’ll get some progress.” ~O'Shea Jackson, a.k.a. Ice Cube, reference his N.W.A. song 'F--k tha Police'.

This statement in its full context (found here on Yahoo) is like fighting fire with fire.  It only makes the issue worse.  If there's going to be any chance at real change FOR THE BETTER then support the good cops, start sharing the good stories about police, and all of our men and women willing to put their lives on the line for complete strangers.  Somehow in the mix of this police hatred it's turned into a race-baiter's playground.  Since when are all police white?  The political asshats who are stirring the pot on this should check their eyesight.  
If they want to make a race issue against police, they should look at gender issues too.  Like why, as a female officer, I have to wear a duty belt and holster designed for a male?  We're individually fitted for our vests so why not tailor our essential tools to us as well?  I'll tell you why.  Because no one gives a damn about what it takes to do our job.  They expect us to do it no matter what we have or don't have in order to get it done.  In return, I expect law abiding citizens to comply to lawful directions just as I expect the law breaking citizens to be made to comply.  The road to hell is paved with good intentions.  I'll take that trip just to stand guard at the gates of hell and make sure none of those bastards ever get out.  

This is the beginning of what a nation without law enforcement will be like:  (CNN) A Birmingham, Alabama, police detective who was pistol-whipped unconscious said Friday that he hesitated to use force because he didn't want to be accused of needlessly killing an unarmed man. "A lot of officers are being too cautious because of what's going on in the media," said the officer, who asked to remain anonymous for the safety of his family. "I hesitated because I didn't want to be in the media like I am right now."

Wake up, America.  When we as law enforcement hesitate to protect ourselves, do you really think we'll jump in to protect you?  You can't fight fire with fire, Mr. 'Ice Cube'.  Even firefighters use water to put out the flames.  

The hardest thing to understand about Freedom of Speech is that for law enforcement it's not free.  Others can spew their hatred and personal beliefs, where we are expected to just nod agree or be publicly persecuted for having an individual opinion. 

Instead of listening to the hatred and supporting the hashtags for #blacklivesmatter vs #policelivesmatter as a negative platform, we should be blasting the social media bullies who created such a divide.  My life matters.  My family's lives matter.  The people I'm sworn to protect, their lives matter.  The guy who threatens me and points a gun in my face, his life matters, even when I end it.  No headline is going to stop me from protecting myself or those around me.  The few injustices by officers who made bad decisions or who are corrupt and abuse their power is FAR outweighed by the silent thousands who are good officers, who walk the line and uphold justice, and put their lives on the line every day for a thankless society.  

I'm blessed to work with men and women who know my ability to do my job is more important than the color of my skin.  I'm blessed to live in a community where the majority appreciate law enforcement. 

Here's to all the good law enforcement officers.  And here's some POSITIVE NEWS for law enforcement, take a look at these good cops: 

Georgia Cop Saves 2 Lives in 1 Shift

Maryland Officer Saves 10-day Old from Choking

Austin Police Officer Saves Woman's Life During Traffic Stop

Ft. Lauderdale Police Officer Saves Woman's Life

Ft. Worth Police Officer Kellie Whitehead Saves Drowning Man From Lake Como


"To change the hearts and minds of men you must learn to listen; otherwise your words will fall on deaf ears, for the opinions of fools are always louder. ~L.S. Buckley"

#Mylifematters

The controversy over whose life matters with hashtag #blacklivesmatter and #bluelivesmatter is stupid.  You know whose life matters? Mine.  My life matters.  

I’m more than the thin blue line I walk, the badge I wear, the uniform and agency I represent.  I’m also a mom, wife, daughter, sister, mentor, and friend.  I do my best to make the right decisions, to help others, and to make this world a safer place.  I matter because of all of those things.  I matter because those things matter to me.  I matter because I choose to.  

Justice is blind.  People are not.  We judge by what we see and hear, and what we see is from a narrowed perspective, what we hear is what we are told.  It takes more than one person to make a nation so violent and unforgiving.  It will take more than one person to make our nation peaceful and able to forgive.

#Mylifematters.  Does yours?

To my non-LEO husband...

To my non-LEO husband,

I see social media posts from several police wives cheering on their husbands who wear the badge and vest every day protecting their communities.   I see wives wear shirts or necklaces with some sort of “proud police wife” logo, read blogs by other LEO wives, and have forums just for them.  It’s heartwarming and a welcome sight to know my fellow officers have this support. 

What I don’t see is the public support for police husbands.  It’s not a traditional role to have just the wife as the law enforcement officer.  There’s usually the husband as the LEO or both spouses wearing the badge.  I don’t see “proud police husband” on shirts or coffee mugs.  They’re made to order perhaps.    

You sacrifice so much more as my husband because of my job than any of our friends could understand.  Over the years you've watched me put on my gun and badge, kiss me goodbye, and tell me every time I leave for work, “I love you, be careful.”   

You've had family and friends question how you deal with knowing the dangers of my job.  I've been asked numerous times if you were also a cop.  When I tell them “no” the next question is usually, “Really?  What does he think of you being a cop?”  There’s no simple answer so I just say, “You’d have to ask him.”    

You've listened to sirens in the distance and wondered if it was me headed to a call in progress, or my zone partners headed to me for backup.  You've paced for hours unable to reach me after hearing that a female deputy was shot on our very street, and had to keep your bearing for the sake of our boys until you knew I was okay.  You've watched breaking news of violence against police officers across the nation then watched me get ready for work to respond to similar threats of violence in our own community. 

You've been woken in the middle of the night by me having to leave for a call out even on days that I wasn't supposed to be on call.  You've dealt with last minute cancellations for dinner or plans with friends because I ended up with a late arrest.  You've had to leave work early to get our boys because I'm stuck on a crime scene.

You've put up with squad parties surrounded by cops talking in ten-codes you don’t understand, and see me laughing with them about inside jokes you “had to be there” to find funny.   On holidays I've had to work, you've made your homemade sauce and baked ziti for my zone partners knowing it would be our only hot meal that day. 

You've listened to me talk about calls for service that would give most people nightmares.  You've watched me struggle with my own nightmares from certain calls that I couldn't talk about.  You've accepted my career choice and told me numerous times you’re proud of me.  You understand why I do this job.  

I see this.  All of this.   Thank you for your constant support, your sacrifices, and for keeping faith and God in our family.  I love you more. 

#coplife

You can hash tag anything on social media and it will invariably lead you to a world wide web of similar posts/articles/pictures etc.  The one I look up often is #coplife.  It brings up a plethora of police memes and a few anti-law enforcement rants.  It also brings up a few real stories of real police officers who wear the badge each day to ultimately be a part of something bigger, something that makes a difference.

The difference it makes isn't just in the community.  It's also in us.  Sometimes good, sometimes bad.  Each of us sacrifice a piece of ourselves on every call for service.  One day we look in the mirror and see a faded version of the hotshot rookie who thought they were invincible.  The spark has left our eyes, the newness of the job worn off with a layer of crass and criticism formed.  Our response to certain crimes becomes desensitized.

Eventually you get to a level where there's more politics involved in a decision than there is toilet paper to wipe up the crap that follows.  It becomes harder to make the best decision for the people on the front lines and more about what the immediate response will be if we don't "do this now to appease the public".  Our actions have become governed by the media and restrained by our own fear of being the next headline racist even when we act under the color of law....even if we bare the same color of skin.  

Then there's that moment.  A moment that makes or breaks us as cops.  It makes us question our faith, our priorities, our morals.  Yes, it's fun to chase the bad guys, it's rewarding to catch them, but it's downright humbling when a true victim is able to say thank you. 

Fellow law enforcement officers have agreed to share those moments in order for me to write them down and share with others.  A few have said it was therapeutic and they were glad to have had the chance to finally talk about it.  I give full credit to the brave men and women I am so blessed to work with for opening old wounds, picking old scars, and allowing me to pry a little bit.  

More will be added in a second installment after I get the first one launched so message me if you'd like your #coplife story included.  

With each story I've edited and typed I saw a part of me in that officer/deputy.  It humbled me to know just how vulnerable we all are.  This is my #coplife.