Support Your Local Cop

Every year, the week of May 15th is known as National Police Week. May 15th itself is set aside as a day for fallen officer memorial. If you see flags flying half mast on Thursday, that may be why.

This isn't something most of us think about. We seem to only think about police officers when we need one, and it often comes down to a situation of blame--the officers weren't there fast enough, they weren't compassionate enough, or they weren't competent enough.

Please take a moment to check out their website (although this one is the national base and tends to focus on the Washington DC area). Officers face injury and death at an astonishing rate. The next time you see a police officer in your neighborhood, before you get upset or wonder why they are there, pause and think. This person chose this career in spite of the negativity often surrounding it. This person is doing their best to make sure your neighborhood and/or school is safe. This person will be there for you if you need them. This person may go home tonight emotionally devastated and trying to process a horrible crime they had to investigate. Or this person may not go home to their family at all.

Their job is not easy. Not everyone can do it, and even fewer are willing to. I know, probably better than some, that it is hard to be grateful for someone who is pulling you over or giving you a citation. But they are just doing their job. They will still be there, still doing their job, if your personal crisis ever needs them to be.

Follow up with their sergeants and other leaders for a job well done...thank them when they help you where appropriate. Or at the very least, try not to get too defensive when they catch you doing something naughty (like speeding with your tail light out--oops). Support your local cop... I know I do.