So, I have stayed pretty quiet about the Ferguson, MO issue because, in large part, I can see both sides. But I have to agree with the philosophy that many of us do not see the wonderful things Police Officers do all around us, everyday. When an officer gets someone help with addiction, helps the mentally ill get safely to treatment, or holds the hand of a child whose world has been irreparably changed, it doesnt make the news: you wont see it in the paper or see it on your television. These are the things they do quietly. And this is coming from a criminal defense lawyer: I see officers do great things, all of the time. One officer changed how I would think about police for the rest of my life. My brushes with the law were limited to either my work or speeding tickets, so to say the least, my opinion wasnt properly formulated. One early evening a relative of mine had a small issue on his way to prom and wrecked his parents car. It wasnt bad. He really just ran off the road. A trooper showed up on the side of the road as I was pulling him out with my truck and I started to feel antsy. I remember thinking he is a good kid and this is going to make a bad night worse. The officer was extremely kind and could obviously appreciate the almost hilarious scene of this 16 year old boy by his parents dented car, in a rented tux, standing helplessly in a muddy ditch. The officer was patient and humble. He told him about the dangers of taking curves too fast and how many fatalities happened on prom night. But he never preached or talked down to him. The officer calmed the kids parents when they arrived and told him he was to go straight home and skip prom. But when I was the only one watching, the most impressive moment of the night happened. The officer walked him to the back of his car, pulled out a small bag from behind his seat, and while down on one knee, the officer cleaned and polished his shoes so he could go to prom. Everytime I hear someone rip into an Officer (and remember many days thats what I do for and living) I think about that patrolman and his small act of kindness that provided me with a life time of respect for those who preform that duty. Police officers have bad days. They get tired of dealing with the same dumb mistakes people make. They get frustrated when they see people make the same mistakes over and over. But dont you get frustrated by these things at your job? So, while I agree there are bad apples, officers who miss the mark, make mistakes, misplace public trust and sometimes make fools of a profession, I know there are all of these moments and little things that we never see, because no one holds up a sign or lays down in a roadway to tell you what a fine job an officer has done; and thats a shame.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Dec 2014 04:00:57 +0000
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