By Susan Tallant/editor-in-chief
They have a job that will never make them rich. They are laughed at, called pig and cursed for giving a well-deserved ticket. They run to a scared victim’s defense when called and go after bad guys that others run from.
They stop to change a tire or give directions and take time to talk to children. They are the first ones called and the first ones to blame. But they are human, just like everyone else. They are out there trying to do their job and make this world a safer place.
I am tired of all of the bad rap, finger pointing and blame that police officers get after a crime. They don’t go to a crime scene with the intent to mess up. Their first thought is safety.
Monday morning quarterbacking is a common occurrence after a major crime such as in Virginia, but blaming police for the second shootings doesn’t make sense.
Police officers aren’t mind readers, and it isn’t their fault there are not metal detectors on every door and window in the world.
They also have protocol to follow. Officers in the field do not write the procedures; they just follow them.
Do the procedures need to be changed sometimes? Of course they do. And they are, as society changes into a more volatile world.
It is time we back our blue, stop whining about their faults and give them a little praise.
In the U.S. last year, 145 officers died while trying to protect someone. More than 56,000 officers are assaulted every year. In 2005, police responded to 5.2 million violent crimes.
Currently, 17,912 names are engraved on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
This column is dedicated to their friends, to their families and to more than 870,000 sworn law enforcement officers now serving in the U.S.
This column is dedicated to the TCC police who are here to protect us from crime, but often help out with other nuisances. A few weeks ago, I locked my keys in my car. Within five minutes of calling, two NE officers unlocked my car.
This column is also dedicated to my husband, Shawn, an officer at DFW Airport, who, like other officers, spends countless hours helping others.
Thank you, blue! We love you!
10-4.
