WE STILL STAND IN SERVICE
As the Chief of Police of the New Castle City Police Department, I have sat in many pre-employment interviews with potential police officers. The most common reason applicants state as to why they want to become a police officer is their desire to serve the community. I truly believe that most officers carry that desire to serve throughout their career.
Personally, I gave the same reason 25 years ago during my interview. Throughout my career, like most officers, my desire has always been to serve my community, be a positive role model to the youth, and protect those in need. I have been fortunate to work alongside officers that have been a positive force in our community.
Recently the public perception of police officers has changed, and not for the better. This erosion of public confidence recently has been the result of several high-profile police involved killings, such as George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Law Enforcement officers are no longer viewed as heroes within their communities, but rather as adversaries of the collective citizenry.
To that end, nationally, there was a move to change the name of the Texas Rangers baseball team because the name has long been affiliated with Law Enforcement; NBA star James Harden faced criticism and rebuke for simply wearing a “Blue Lives Matter” mask; and now there are efforts to defund the Police, exactly when the opposite is needed. Additional funds are needed now more than ever to provide training and to screen and attract quality officers.
Most good officers believe that any officer who violates their sworn oath of duty has no place in the Law Enforcement community. Their actions serve as a betrayal to their fellow 800,000 officers and tarnish the law enforcement profession that is dedicated to protecting the public, serving the community, and preserving the sanctity of life.
There is no doubt that the law enforcement community needs to embrace change and public accountability, and we have seen the beginning of this change recently. Police Unions across the Country quickly denounced recent police violence, signaling a deviation from past historical practice which may have never come or may have come only after lengthy investigations. Transparency and accountability within the culture of Law Enforcement is the only way to eradicate bad officers and to rebuild trust within communities.
We pledge to continue to do our jobs protecting our communities and earn the trust of those we serve. We do not serve in this profession seeking popularity or praise. We serve because it is our calling to stand between those who would do harm and those who would be their prey.
I do not believe these recent incidents of illegal violence define the entirety of the Law Enforcement community. I believe there needs to be work done on both sides of this issue to repair and move forward. I believe officers will provide better service to the community when they feel they are partners in the growth of the community and not treated as the enemy, because we are not the enemy. Here we still stand in service to you.