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"

#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.

  

Worth It

There are a lot of things that make my job stressful.  I've seen it wear on coworkers, physically and emotionally.  I've seen it in my own reflection at the end of a rough shift. 

One of the toughest calls I've had to take recently came out just as I had left the area it occurred in.  I was on my way to a verbal disturbance when the tone alert sounded.  A two year old boy was found in the pool, unknown time lapse.  Clearing a median to get around traffic, without even skimming the hedges, I hit the lights and sirens.  I always think the A/C drops out when my car goes into emergency mode, but I'm pretty sure my adrenaline has something to do with the sudden temperature change. 

Traffic in this area is frustrating on a slow day, even more so when the cars just STOP right in front of you because they panic when they see blue lights.  It reminds me of Frogger trying to cross over the main road.  CAD updates, the little boy is out of the pool and the caller had given rescue breaths.  The little boy was breathing and could be heard crying in the background.

As I pulled up and ran to the door a young woman opened it, hair soaking wet, eyes full of tears, and her arms wrapped around her son.  He was responsive but kept trying to fall asleep she said.  His eyes would close and head fall to her shoulder as she hurried around the house trying to focus and gather what she needed to get him to the hospital. 

It was then I had to stop and make her sit down.  She took a deep breath, pressing her lips to his head trying to hold back her tears.  I held his hand, rubbing his fingers and arm to keep him awake until Fire Rescue arrived.  Softly saying his name to keep his attention, she hugged him.  She squeezed my hand and closed her eyes.  In that moment I felt the pain a mother feels when her child is hurt.  Helpless and vulnerable, even a little angry. 

Fire Rescue came in and assessed the little boy.  He was breathing on his own, but they were concerned with his vitals and needed to transport him.  The greatest sound heard during the ordeal was him screaming when they put the IV in his arm.  Even his mother seemed relieved with the outcry from him, a sign of hope in her mind.

The investigation showed he was just a fast little boy that got away from his mom while she was busy in the house.  The safety precautions were all in place for the pool.  A curious little boy just figured out how to get around them.  The mom was very brave and acted fast to save his life. 

The dad rushed from work to meet them at the hospital. The grandparents and other family arrived shortly after.  I was standing by as the agent finished speaking with the parents, and kept peeking in to see the little boy.  He was all smiles and talking by then.  Even with his improvement the doctor wanted him to be admitted to Arnold Palmer in Orlando.  The family surrounded him as I backed out of the room and waved bye.  He gave me a thumbs up and smiled.  I was sure he'd be fine, but we never know the full outcome.  It's the nature of the beast.  You do what you can at that time then shake it off and move on to the next call. 

This time I got to see the outcome.  A few days later while on scene at a retail theft the loss prevention officer said someone was outside the office asking for me.  When I opened the door the dad and little boy were standing there smiling.  His son had seen me when I walked in and wanted to say Hi.  His dad said they were doing great and would be moving into their new house soon...one without a pool!  Seeing the little boy smile and getting a hug from him made every ounce of the day worth it. 

There were plenty of calls I've been to where the difference between life and death was in my hands.  This was not one of those calls.  I did nothing more than hold a mom's hand and reassure a little boy he'd be fine.  As law enforcement we are often disliked, lied to, and targeted.  It's calls like this that humbles us and shows us that what we do makes a difference.  To us it's a job, but to others we're the first hope they have when they call for help.  It's worth it.