No sun today, but then, no wind either in our neck of the woods.

Getting some chores done around the house.

This is my last installment of my ‘novel.’

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Chapter 21

Closing Thoughts

I realize that my Novel may not have been ‘exactly’ what was intended, but it did get me to tell some of the stories I have shared with people in the past.  And, it did meet the criteria of 50,000 words – actually more, and kinda in the style of one of my favorite authors James Herriot, a Veterinarian, who wrote All Creatures Great and Small and several other books on his practice and the people he worked with.  Short stories. 

Not sure I will be making this into a book, not sure of the interest it would garner and it needs a lot, a LOT, of editing.  Then, of course is working with a Publisher.  Steven and Celinda’s plates are full so not sure either has the time to help.

When I was just starting my career there was a lot of turmoil in America, the Vietnam War was being protested and law enforcement was under attack.  Here in The Dalles we didn’t feel a lot of that but there was some hostility.

Police Officers today have it much worse than I did; they are under violent attacks, far more than ever before.

I think most of you realize where my feelings are on that point, but let me discuss it in a little detail.

In America there is somewhere between 900,000 and one million local law enforcement officers – police and deputies. 

That number does not include State officers, but that number is much smaller; and they don’t do a lot of what is required of the local law enforcement – although their backup is always appreciated.

Without going into detail with assignments, management, investigators etc., positions, as well as vacancies, vacations, training that take officers away from the patrol divisions, there are approximately 100,000 officers on duty at any given time - nationwide – give or take 10,000 – 20,000.

These are the men and women that arrive on any given scene, first, no matter the call.  They are the ones that respond to accidents, family disturbances, robberies, murder, lost children, deaths – both violent and natural – and anything else that comes over their radio (or computer, now) for them to respond to.

They answer the call for help as quickly and earnestly as possible.

They patrol dark alleys, make contact with suspicious individuals in those dark alleys; stop suspicious vehicles hours from the nearest backup.

Have you ever walked down a street and crossed it because there is someone or a number of someones that look suspicious and you are in fear they might attack you? 

The police officer doesn’t have a choice; they continue walking down the street, knowing there could very well be danger for them there.

They work traffic details where they never know what they may encounter when they make their stops, it could be someone who has never had a problem before and is just nervous, or someone who just killed their wife (or robbed a pharmacy at a hospital) and thinks the officer is stopping them for that reason.

While the badge and uniform has always been a target, it is even more so now.  Killers are deliberately setting up ambushes for police officers, and killing them.

While it has always been known by the officers that the day/night they go to work may be the last day/night they will see their loved ones, it is even more so today.

100,000 officers across the nation. 

The come from all walks of life, these are people, just like everyone else. 

They occasionally make mistakes, just like everyone else.

They have families, they have a life out of uniform, just like everyone else.

They shop in grocery stores, pharmacies, clothing stores; they help with their kids’ programs, just like everyone else.

But, unlike everyone else, they face the unknown, every single day; every single shift.

When they are called, they answer.

They are the first line of defense in our communities and they are being so second guessed on everything they do they are not able to do their job as well; and are even in more danger because they can’t react as quickly as they should for fear of being branded.

100,000 officers working, on any given day, 365 days a year, holidays, weekends, sun, rain, snow or freezing weather they are on patrol.

They are divided up around the country, some cities and counties have dozens working – others one.

Some have backup a moment away, some have backup hours away; maybe.

They lay their lives on the line on every call, on every traffic stop, on every contact.

They sometimes have to make a split second decision that will be reviewed, dissected, second guessed by others – who were not there, and some who have never faced adversity - over a period of years.

If they are involved in controversy they must remain silent while the incident is investigated by their or another department.  Sometimes that takes days and even weeks to complete.

Meanwhile, people and media with their own agenda crucify them; accusing them of all kinds of misconduct.

When – and that is the majority of such investigations – the officer is exonerated and what they had to do was proper, it lands on the back pages of the newspapers. 

Meanwhile they are ostracized, their families are harassed, other officers are targeted and all because many times those involved lied to the public and media.

There are no apologies by anyone.

And he is expected to go back to his job and not let this affect him.

Law Enforcement is a profession that is not only dangerous because of the potential physical attacks, but dangerous to the spirit, emotions and mental health.  Suicides by police officers are among the highest of professions.

Through the years it has always been difficult finding good applicants for the position – more and more young people are asking themselves why should they put themselves in such a position – and veterans are asking the same thing, it surely isn’t for the money, and finding less stressful occupations.

There have been those that think the federal government can do a better job of local policing – of course many of these are the same people who think that the federal government is evil – kinda catch 22.

It takes months to hire an officer, testing, background checks, training in the department and then the academy, then close supervision for several years as they learn how to do the job.

It isn’t something that is done overnight and it isn’t something that can be sped up.

And many of those federal law enforcement officers, even those who do a very good job, wouldn’t want to put up with nor would they be qualified to be a local officer.

900,000 to 1,000,000 local law enforcement officers, for a nation of over 325,000,000. 

If only 1% of that population is criminal (and we are well aware it is much more than that) the officers are outnumbered 3.25 to one.

And when you consider there are 100,000 +/- on duty at any given time they are outnumbered 32.5 to one. 

Now multiply those odds by 10 or even 20, percentages closer to reality.

Now ask yourself, how many officers are in the news, caught on video, or have complaints against them for doing the wrong thing?  How many have been proven to be criminally wrong?

By all means if a person thinks the police have it easy, or are stupid and think they know how to do a better job, make an application and become one.

Who knows you may make a good one, or you may realize there is more to it than putting on a uniform and strapping on a gun.

Law Enforcement is an honorable profession.  The vast majority of those that join a department and retire wearing a badge have provided dedicated and skilled service to their community.  Even many who have said it isn’t worth it and left for other professions did their job in making the community safe.

Making it a better place for all involved.

Wouldn’t hurt to thank them!

Copyright November 28, 2017 Art Labrousse

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1 Chronicles 16:8-9  KJV  “Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.

⁹ Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.”

This was a psalm written by David, but it is still relevant today.  Only now, instead of making His deeds know to just the Jews, we have the honor of expressing our love, appreciation and thanks to Him, telling everyone of His wondrous works.

We don’t have to be preachers; we don’t have to stand on a soap box, to talk about our Lord.

While it may seem we are being blocked at every turn, there are still ways to tell others about God and the Son He sacrificed to save us.  We just have to be prepared when those times are available.

2 Timothy 4:2 KJV  “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.”

He wants us to share our faith with others.  We just need to listen to and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Later, Art (-: