I am deeply grateful for the dedicated professionals who have chosen a career in law enforcement. It’s one of the most demanding professions, made even more complex by a rapidly changing culture that often expects perfection from imperfect individuals working in incredibly stressful and dangerous situations. In a time when integrity seems to be in short supply across America, the character of those in law enforcement counts more than ever.
We are undoubtedly living in difficult times, but it’s important to remember that every generation faces its own unique set of challenges. Here are some of the impediments that make the law enforcement profession all the more necessary. Whether these observations qualify as a philosophical examination or simply paradoxical fodder, I’m not entirely sure. What I am sure of is that you will find yourself in the crosshairs of controversy almost every day you wear a badge and interact with people whose values have been compromised.
Honesty is a value that seems to be valued less and less each day. The lines between right and wrong have become increasingly blurred, residing in shades of gray. Diversion from the truth has become a common strategy employed by the corrupt. Lying has been minimized, while deception has been maximized. Public officials and people in positions of power routinely claiming fifth-amendment privileges have become commonplace, all while simultaneously declaring their eagerness to seek the truth. We have seemingly cast aside certainty in favor of ambiguity, which has inevitably led to ambiguous confusion.
Modern police officers are increasingly tasked with solving problems that are not directly related to law enforcement, more so than at any other time in history. Society is in the process of legalizing marijuana while simultaneously criminalizing cigarettes. In the pursuit of social diversity, people have become more divided than ever before. Some individuals have mistakenly interpreted their inalienable rights as the right to demand that others agree with their depravity. The pursuit of being “enlightened” has, paradoxically, led to a darker world. This darker world casts the illusion of pleasure, but pain inevitably awaits its inhabitants. Traditions have been redefined to make a select few happy, yet there is a growing sense of unhappiness that has led to a population seeking therapy in record numbers. Worldview therapy also triumphs expression, but so much of the expression turns out to be destruction. We work harder to buy bigger homes, only to see them destroyed when strangers are unable to cope while occupying the same house. The moral compass of our nation has been trampled upon by a parade of lascivious self-expression—but since everyone enjoys a “train wreck,” we watch in volume.
Culture is often shaped by a distorted and unrealistic view presented in the media. The 24-hour news cycle is enough to make anyone want to retreat and hunker down. There is often more politicking than genuine reporting. Sound bites deceive, as editors become more activist than journalist. The media often amplifies controversy, placing law enforcement in the crosshairs of public opinion.
We often blame inanimate objects for behavior that is generated by the choices of those who are confused, lost, or otherwise wandering off course. The vocal opinions of a few are influencing the majority, and they will continue to blame firearms for destruction rather than addressing the heart of those in possession of guns that “tamed the west.” The public often wants law enforcement to combat the bad guys, but they cheer in the movie theater what they find vile in real life. Medication is increasingly replacing discipline, leading to breaches in safety everywhere.
We have seemingly crushed our moral compass in an attempt to appease a few, leaving behind lessons that are unworthy of duplication but are duplicated nonetheless. This has created a new norm that is, in reality, abnormal and emotionally unhealthy. Punishment has lost its place in the corrections process. In anger, people scream for justice, except when they are to blame; then, they ask for… no, they demand mercy because it is really the fault of another. Those professing to be tolerant often do not tolerate others taking a stand for what they believe to be right.
Civil debate is increasingly limited, while a “scorched earth” approach is common practice. Being good stewards of the environment and respecting the animal kingdom are undoubtedly important values. Unfortunately, they have, in some cases, become schools of religious thought. Entitlement has symbolically been added to the United States Constitution, while responsibility has been erased from public practice. The American way of life appears to be imploding based upon actions taken by leaders we have elected. Politicians often claim to believe in American exceptionalism, yet so many impede forward progress in pursuit of power for their office.
As our culture has become more tolerant, we have become less reliant on anything resembling God or His guidance for us. We often want to kick God out of the public square, except when evil annihilates the day. Then, we corporately pray, asking God to do what humanity could not. Some seek salvation through Mother Earth while chastising the belief in a Heavenly Father. The more distant we travel from our Judeo-Christian values, the more confused, intolerant, and angry we become. We have traded authority through revelation of an omnipotent Creator for authority based on the majority of public opinion, resulting in every person being a law unto himself.
I feel like some of our not-so-fellow-Americans are attempting to re-write “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” by removing the line, “… root, root, root for the home team.” We are the home team, so I will continue to cheer for our success without apology.
As law enforcement professionals, how do we survive when placed in the crosshairs of controversy? I commend three solutions to you. While simple, your boots might feel like they are anchored in cement, because these practices will be unpopular at various times and downright professional suicide in certain circumstances.
WARNING: If you practice these solutions, you may get symbolically bloodied. But if peace of mind and a clear conscience are things valued, you will apply each one. What sounds like a no-brainer is anything but easy when politics, budgets, and opposing powerful forces collide—and you are caught in the middle with nowhere to hide.
Country music performer Eric Church sang, “I don’t like to fight but I ain’t scared to bleed.” His cause was different than ours, but you get the point. Symbolic or real, if your blood is shed when you seek the truth based upon facts, and stand firm in the basic principles of the law enforcement code of ethics, you have a much better chance of prevailing when you’re caught in the crosshairs of controversy. But on occasion we need to choose what is right over being victorious and that is where character is formed.
As a post-script, may I suggest seeking allies when feasible. Once you form an alliance and have principled facts and truth in your corner, do not abandon them. “Hang together or we’ll be hung separately,” said General Washington to his troops as the Continental Army was outnumbered 5-1 and surrounded in Brooklyn Heights by British forces. The American Revolution was a controversy of epic proportion, and I think you know how that one ended!