The Silly Season

Frank Borelli
Editor-in-Chief
Officer.com

Welcome to the Holiday (silly) Season. I know it started a couple weeks ago but it takes me a little time to built up holiday momentum. The holiday season is fully upon us. People being "silly" is a kind euphamism for people acting STUPID. Every year police officers spend countless hours performing duties related to said stupidity. And, if we're professional at all, we do it with a smile and leave a "satisfied customer" with a cheerful holiday greeting. That doesn't mean we're cheerful. I can't begin to count how many people I've taken stolen property reports from because they were dumb enough to leave their high-dollar freshly-purchased electronics on the backseat of an unlocked car in a busy parking lot. DUH... I can't begin to count how many family disputes I've mediated because Brother A doesn't like the gift Brother B got for their DAD - so they're going to ruin the day by fighting about it. I can't begin to count how many alarm calls I responded to because some family member forgot OTHER family members were coming to visit and therefore wasn't home when the visiting family got there... and decided to find a way in. I can't begin to count how many shoplifting calls I responded to that turned out to be simple misunderstandings... and the ones that weren't. I can't begin to count how many brother and sister police officers I've enjoyed a cup of coffee with, standing around in the local convenience store at 11:30 pm on Christmas Eve. Oh, wait... that's not a stupid moment. That last one is the perfect example of why there is such a strong bond in the "police family". Whether you're a policeman, deputy, constable, etc, you're a part of the police family; the Thin Blue Line. Why is that? Moments like the one described show why. Because people spend holidays with their family. Stories told by firelight around a Christmas tree as children wait for the arrival of Santa Claus. That's a family image. Instead, our public safety professionals are often away from their families on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve (especially), New Year's Day and other holidays throughout the year. At those times the people they are with serve as a surrogate family. In this case, the police family comes together, drinks a cup of coffee or has a rewarmed meal, and shares the bond that makes up the fraternal brotherhood. As YOU enjoy your Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's celebrations, take a moment to remember that your public safety professionals are out and about making sure we're all as safe as can be managed. They are away from their families to protect and serve YOURS. The same thing applies to the members of our military forces. Say a prayer of blessing and thanks for them before you go to bed Christmas Eve.