The War on Law Enforcement and its Officers

2015-09-03T09:11:00-04:00

In Memorium

With the current highly politicized climate – from some of the highest political figures, to some “clergy”, a lot of the media outlets, populist and cultural movements, and many others, the law enforcement profession – and law enforcement officers themselves have come under fire.

It appears to be unpopular to support law enforcement, and almost a badge of honor to denigrate, disrespect, and downright hate those who choose to put their lives on the line to protect and serve our nation and its citizens and residents.

A lot of readers will be too young to remember this, but this is very much like what happened to our military servicemembers who were serving during the Vietnam War, especially during the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. They were reviled, disrespected, spat upon, and attacked for doing their duty. Korean War veterans actually had it a little better, as “the forgotten war”. They were just forgotten, almost in shame. It wasn’t until the Gulf War in 1991 that they finally got recognition and respect, and those who disagreed with the current war and / or the national policies did not take it out on the military members, but the politicians and others who were responsible for the policies they disagreed with.

Servicemembers finally got the respect they deserved for those years of sacrifices.

Now it’s popular to do the same thing to serving law enforcement officers. The vast majority of all Law Enforcement Officers (LEO’s, police, cops, or whatever your vernacular is) are dedicated, caring people who only want to protect and serve others – not as a slogan, but actually protect and serve.

No one segment of society is above reproach. The law enforcement profession is no exception, and because of the authority they wield, should be held to a higher standard and scrutiny than most other professions – but they also attract a much higher percentage of good, solid citizens with a service oriented drive than most others. Those individuals who break their oath should be pulled out of the ranks, fired and if appropriate, prosecuted. All the rest should be respected for their dedication to selfless service to protect us.

Here are some of those dedicated officers. 83 as of today (with 7 shot and killed in the last month alone) who have lost their lives in the line of duty just this year. They won’t be the last. https://www.odmp.org/search/year

http://www.jameskuiken.com/sergeant-major-musings/the-war-on-law-enforcement-officers

2015

So far this year, 95 law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Sep 3 at 2015 11:51 AM

2015-09-03T11:51:23-04:00

There is no war on Police. Stop buying into this nonsense. In aggregate, assault against officers and homicide and attempted homicide against them are down compared to this same point last year. Over 700 people have been killed in Police involved shootings yet you don't hear folks declaring there is a war on citizens. This attempt to conflate legitimate criticism of Police misconduct/abuses with a war being waged against them is silly and dishonest.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/d1c147d54ddb4ca0ae9d1988d69512c0/are-more-police-getting-killed-look-officer-deaths

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2015/jun/01/the-counted-police-killings-us-database#

Are more police getting killed? A look at officer deaths

CHICAGO (AP) — The killing of a veteran police officer north of Chicago is the latest in a string of recent law enforcement deaths. Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz' death on Tuesday triggered a manhunt for three suspects…

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 3 at 2015 1:09 PM

2015-09-03T13:09:53-04:00

Community Policing will not totally solve the ills that are there between the police and the community, but it would be a strong start. Allow the locals to interact with the local PD in a manner that doesn't have them in the back of a car or fearing for their safety. And another issue that needs revising is the militarization of the police. I was watching the coverage of the cop shot in Chicago and there was a RG31 driving in the background. What is that really needed for? Allow the police to be able to defend themselves without the added baggage of being seen as sudo-military. They're LEO, not ARMY, NAVY, AF, or MARINES.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2015 5:01 PM

2015-09-09T17:01:51-04:00

Police already enjoy an unrivaled propaganda machine. This 83 "died in the line of duty" also includes officers killed in vehicle accidents while not wearing a seatbelt(they were breaking the law), it includes suicide, it includes heart attacks, heat stroke and complications from illness caused by 9/11, and one who was in a plane crash on the way to a course, yet they are portrayed as sacrificing their lives the same as Trooper Trevor Casper.

Response by SSG Tim Newell, PhD made Aug 1 at 2024 10:27 AM

2024-08-01T10:27:37-04:00

SGM, thank you for this post, reminding us of the sacrifices made.