Today is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (almost missed it, but got this in just in time). I know it’s been a while since I’ve written a blog, so I felt like today was a perfect day to get going again. I want to share a few things that I appreciate greatly about the officers.
One of the things that I appreciate about officers is the effort they put in to even come to work. I am very much a roll out of bed, do the few things I need to do in the morning, and get to work right as I need to get started on things kind of person. That is not possible for the officers. Just getting the uniform on is a process in and of itself. There are so many pieces they need and so many things that have to be charged. Before they even put the uniform on they have to make sure their boots are shined, shirts are ironed with their sleeves creased, and that all of their equipment is clean and in order. After they’re dressed they also have at least one bag of equipment and essentials to load up to bring with them. That’s just the stuff they need to do the job. Think about the mindset they also need to do the job that they do. They have to think about how they leave the house and their family. They have to mentally prepare themselves for whatever they might encounter on the shift ahead of them. Then even heading into work they can already become a target because they walk out of their home and drive their vehicle with the police uniform on. That is a much larger process to get ready to come to work than I do each day. I imagine it’s especially difficult on days following very difficult calls or situations. I don’t know that I would want to do all of that following a really hard day, but they do and they do it because they care.
The way they care is another thing I greatly appreciate about the officers. Yes, several of them become a police officer because they like to drive fast and carry a gun, but it’s so much more than that. They do this job because they really care about the safety of people and want to make a difference. It always does my heart good to see how they care for people on calls that they go to. It is truly disappointing to the officers when they have to walk away from someone they wanted to help and couldn’t find the resources to help. They hurt when a family is staying in a hotel and doesn’t have the funds for any further nights and gets put out on the street. They dwell on the child that doesn’t look like they get more than the bare minimum and wonder if they should have done more. They feel for the partner in a relationship that is getting harmed and comes to them for a way out. Numerous times I have seen officers pull out their wallets to pay for hotel stays, groceries, or other things for people who need it. I have had many phone calls asking for funds or ways to help someone they encountered that they couldn’t just leave as they were. Most people don’t get the opportunity to see the depth of a police officer’s heart, but it is such a beautiful thing.
I appreciate their willingness to do a job that so routinely puts them in a position to see the negativity and sometimes pure evil in the world. Many jobs put you dealing with bad attitudes and annoying people, but not in the same way as police work. Officers transport people to jail who consistently make terrible comments and hurl insults at them. Some even express desires for awful things to happen to the officer or to their family. Depending on how long the ride to jail is, that can all get really difficult to hear. They are faced with seeing the horrible things that people are willing to do to each other and sometimes to themselves or their families. They also deeply feel the pain when that evil is turned onto one of their own and a life is taken. Constantly seeing and hearing these things makes it very difficult to maintain faith in society and humanity. I’m thankful that they continue to come to work and continue to be intentional about seeing the best in people. It’s certainly not always the easiest.
In my position as a chaplain, I am very appreciative of their trust and vulnerability with me. This job requires you to be bulletproof literally and figuratively. You have to be able to withstand a lot coming at you and it could even be all at one time. Officers have to maintain a level of strength and authority, but that’s not sustainable all of the time. They have to have a place and a way to decompress and let some of it go. For those that choose for that place to be in my office, I’m so grateful. For some it may be while I’m riding with them or through text messages and I’m so grateful for those too. In no way can I replace the support of friends, family or of mental health professionals, but it is an honor to stand in the gaps and be a listening ear when needed. I am so thankful that the chaplain program exists so that the officers have people here that they already know and trust. I appreciate that they give us a chance and that they come to us because I know it can make a difference in their career and well-being.
Since I mentioned family, the families that stand by the officers also deserve to be greatly appreciated. There is no way that the officers can do this job without a strong support system. I’ll write more about it in a full blog (because they deserve it), but want to share a little bit here. The families often make just as strong of a sacrifice at the officer. They have to watch their officer leave their home not knowing what could happen while they’re at work. They have to deal with phone calls being interrupted or not text messages not being returned, which seems fairly minimal, but not so in their situation. They watch their officer come home with the weight of the world on their shoulders and feel powerless because there usually is not a quick and easy fix. They have to deal with a lot of life shifting because of the way that law enforcement makes you think and makes you handle situations. Law enforcement families are amazing people and definitely have to choose this life too.
Selfishly, I HUGELY appreciate the way that they take care of me. Growing up I always wondered what life with a big brother would look like and now I know. I’m constantly amazed that my job is to care for and support them, but I think they do more for me than I could ever give to them. They believe in me and encourage me in ways that are so powerful. It has given me the courage to try new things and go outside of my comfort zone because I know they will be right beside me. My heart is always so full from the gratitude and love that they show. The way they protect me and look out for me when I’m riding with them or when I’m at home is incredible. My favorite is the way they look out for me on scenes and afterwards. They are very good about shielding me from things that I don’t need to see. They check on me after we’ve been on a tough scene together and make sure that I’m also handling everything okay. If my career path ever shifts and takes me to another job, it will be nearly impossible to find other people who do all for me that these officers do.
Of course I could keep going, but I’ll save the other things for future blogs. Working with law enforcement has truly opened my eyes to the incredible people that they are. I’m so thankful for each GPD officer that I serve with each day and all other law enforcement officers. I am so proud to be part of this Blue family and will continue to do all that I can for them. I hope each of you know today and everyday how much you are loved and appreciated by me and by many others.