A Game Changer; How to Make a Difference for Cops; Protect & Serve Act
Plus updates and why you shouldn't lose hope
People are sometimes curious why a civilian without a law enforcement background would advocate for police officers. It’s a fair question. When I first started on this journey circa 2016, this issue wasn’t even on my radar. While I’d always respected authority, policing wasn’t an issue I was particularly passionate about.
That changed with Mike Koval, chief (retired) of the Madison Police Department, who I had initially met through Steve’s neighborhood watch group. We’d listen to him speak passionately about law enforcement, and we’d always walk away with an intimate understanding of what police officers do for our communities. The officers we had met were not just professionals; they were exceptional human beings who didn’t deserve the public’s wrath.
If it weren’t for these initial encounters, I’m certain I wouldn’t be doing what I do now. And it’s why I recommend that civilians get to know their police officers, so they too, can see the humanity behind the badge.
My appreciation for law enforcement has grown exponentially since then. I’m in awe of these men and women who skillfully, and without hesitation, protect, serve, and uphold our Constitution.
Take this recent incident from the NYPD. This past week, officers ventured up more than 54 stories to rescue a woman in distress. Think about the fortitude it takes to voluntarily be suspended from extreme heights to save someone you don’t even know.
This is not an outlier, either. It’s what cops do on a regular basis. It’s who they are.
This doesn’t mean that police don’t make mistakes or that that there aren’t a few who tarnish the badge. The good they do, however, far outweighs the negative.
Instead of being regaled as the heroes they are, police officers are often taken for granted or treated like yesterday’s trash. Shootings and other forms of violence (including ambush-style attacks) being perpetrated on police officers continue to rise. They’re increasingly victims of political prosecutions, need to navigate complex internal politics, and are at risk of losing (or have already lost) qualified immunity protections.
They’re understaffed, demoralized, burned out, and feel betrayed. If there was ever a time to show support for law enforcement, it’s now.
This year my focus for National Police Week has been on helping to launch the new Independent Women’s Network police and public safety action center. It’s set to launch within a few days, with content being added throughout the week.
This Center is a game changer for law enforcement. Police officers now have some of the boldest, smartest women in the country in their corner.
We’ll be launching the Center with a discussion between Meaghan Mobbs, an Independent Women’s Forum fellow, and me on the fragile state of law enforcement. Meaghan is a graduate of West Point, a former paratrooper, and combat veteran; serves on multiple Boards; is a Tillman Scholar and George W. Bush Veteran Leadership Scholar; previously served as a Presidential appointee to the United States Military Academy- West Point Board of Visitors; and currently serves as a Gubernatorial appointee to the Virginia Military Institute Board of Visitors.
We published a preview article earlier this month about how our members can support local police, either independently or with their chapters. It’s free for anyone to read, and I encourage you to check it out if you need ideas for advocating for cops.
New York Bill to Restore Common Sense to the State’s Bail Laws
As you probably know, New York’s bail reform law, which went into effect in 2020, eliminated cash bail for most misdemeanor crimes like shoplifting and grand larceny; and most “non-violent” felonies, including those involving drugs. Ask most any police officer and they’ll tell you this law has contributed to New York City’s crime problem.
The New York legislature proposed a bill (A4208 / S5335) last year that would allow judges to determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether a defendant poses a threat to the community or is a flight risk, and thus can be held without bail.
You’d think this would be a no-brainer, yet there’s opposition to it. You can read my presser for NPA about this bill here.
The Protect and Serve Act (H.R. 743)
H.R. 743 gained four new House sponsors this past week.
Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. (VA-2)
Rep. Cartwright, Matt (PA-8)
Rep. Bost, Mike (IL-12)
Rep. Balderson, Troy (OH-12)
Now if only we could get it scheduled for a hearing! Though it had been originally scheduled for a House Judiciary Committee hearing then subsequent markup session last week, they never took it up. It was then re-scheduled for this past Wednesday, but again, it was omitted.
It’s important that you continue to urge your federal representatives to co-sponsor this critical bill!
Most of us understand by now that our country is in a bad place, and that just about every one of our institutions is under attack. I’ve come to believe this is all by design, though I’ll leave that discussion for a different time.
I also think we’ve got to come to the realization that this situation isn’t going to remedy itself. Yes, we survived the radicalism that has emerged during previous periods throughout our nation’s history (most recently in the 1960s and 1970s) but it’s different this time. The values that have served to anchor us during tumultuous times, like the nuclear family, faith in God, and patriotism have been greatly diminished or replaced. While the people we elect into office is indeed important, our nation’s problems run much deeper than politics.
As insanely challenging as our situation is at this point in time, I can confidently say that there is indeed hope. It may not feel like it now, but there are points of light amid the darkness. And it’s happening because thousands upon thousands of concerned Americans are working to make a positive, meaningful difference for their country and communities.
As we navigate our way out of this mess, it’s essential not to get so caught up in the negativity that we let it penetrate our psyches. It’s why I urge you to find ways to cultivate joy in your own life and for others. Spend time with your loved ones, go whale watching, join a club, read books, learn to scuba dive, take a course, scrapbook, learn a new skill, volunteer to walk dogs at your local shelter or provide meals for the inbound, pray.
I wish you the best and as always, would love to know what you’re thinking.
For the Blue is a solutions-based initiative. I’m just an American patriot asking questions. I don’t work with any political party and I answer to nobody. For me, the health of the nation, due process (including for police officers), the rule of law, and respect for individual liberties, will always transcend party affiliation. I welcome your thoughts, even if you disagree; though personal attacks will be ignored. You can reach me at fortheblue@substack.com.
Excellent article! Let me know how I can help contribute to the Center in any way that would bring support to our profession!