Not everyone makes New Year's Resolutions. In fact, most people don't, and apparently law enforcement officers are no different. Of the police, sheriff's and corrections personnel surveyed, only 5% responded. That being said, there's a reflective tone to much of what was offered.
"I am going to try to be more sensitive to others feelings."
"I am going to renew my membership in the 100 club" (an organization which supports emergency services personnel and their families under duress).
"(I'm going to work to help) parents that blindly believe that their child can do no wrong to get the wisdom to know when their child is being deceitful and help them have the strength to take corrective action."
"I'm going to get in better shape."
And then there are the more lighthearted ones.
"I will try and be a little more understanding toward all the Republicans that I work with, which is everyone but myself."
"I'll stop drinking beer before going on duty" (he was kidding... really!).
As for me, I join with other chaplains in trying to help those we serve deal with what comes their way, and work with the public to better understand how different life is for those in law enforcement. Along that line, I offer this insight from Chaplain Fr. Thomas Nangle of the Chicago Police Department:
- Police work is substantial and messy, but Godly work all the same. Substantial because society simply cannot exist without police, whose sworn responsibility it is to make justice happen. It's messy because of human suffering, human evil, and human degradation.
- It's Godly because the essence of police work is to serve and protect God's people and to work for peace, justice and order. Those are the values of God and they are noble and sacred.
May God bless you and keep you safe in 2008.
Oh, and even though someone else wanted to commandeer it, that "I'll try not to strangle the Sheriff," resolution was mine.
