Frank Borelli
Editor-in-Chief
Officer.com
I had the great pleasure of being a guest on
NRA News Radio last evening (Tuesday, 5/4/10) in the 11:20 pm time spot. The topic of discussion was how early release of convicted criminals (usually felons) can make our law enforcement job more difficult. Just in recent weeks we've seen several police officers killed by convicted felons who were released early "for good behavior" or for whatever other reason. The bottom line is that if they hadn't been released then they wouldn't hve been free to murder police officers.
I was asked how the police felt about early release programs and judges who award ridiculously minimal sentences to repeat offenders and violent felons? How to answer that without sounding harsh?
Then I realized that maybe sounding harsh is okay. I mean, our law enforcement professionals nationwide all face different challenges in their communities but the one thing that is the same for all of us is
making the case. Once you
catch the "suspect" you then have to make your case. At the least that requires you to do all the paperwork right and appear to testify in a professional manner. At the most, depending on where you work, that can mean evidence collection and management, taking statements, doing research, coordinating with the prosecutor's office, showing up for a pretrial hearing/screening, continuing with prosecutor coordination, baby-sitting witnesses and then testifying in a professional manner. After all that, if the "suspect" is found guilty by the judge / jury, then you have to accept whatever sentence the judge hands down.
Is it frustrating when that sentence seems way too light for the crime we just helped to secure a conviction for? Absolutely.
Does it anger us at times when judges molly-coddle the now-convicted felon (or violent misdemeanant), seemingly disregarding all our hard work and risk? Absolutely.
Can repeated experience with this phenomenon make us feel cynical; like we're wasting our time fighting the incoming tide? Absolutely.
Can we allow this to affect our motivation and professionalism?
Absolutely not!
Please, brothers and sisters, remember: While it's scary to think about, our nationwide law enforcement team is only as strong as its weakest member. Our professionalism isn't judged by the public based on the best amongst us, but instead on the worst the media can find and sensationalize. Where our true reputations are earned and made is in our communities where we perform our duties; where we impact the day to day lives of those we protect and serve. If you can think about it rationally you'll have to admit (the large majority of you) that those in the community you protect and serve appreciate your presence and treat you with a decent level of courtesy and respect. The ones who don't come from families that... well... let's just say they lead the suspect list when crimes occur.
So, as we look at National Police Week starting this coming Sunday (which is also Mother's Day so don't forget), keep your chins up, your armor on, your gun clean and loaded. Keep your pride to yourself but carry it with strength.
Do the job and appreciate every day that you CAN. Not all of us are that fortunate.
Stay Safe!!!
