Dysfunction, Ineptness, Evil . . . and Hope
Plus a new poll!
There are times I feel optimistic, even if guardedly, about the state of policing and the health of our our nation. Other days I feel dejected. Maybe you can relate?
From issues like the war on cops and unchecked crime, to the chaos at the border and rise in fentanyl deaths, it’s tough not to feel overwhelmed, betrayed, and anxious about the future. It feels as if we’ve become interchangeable objects to be used arbitrarily by the ruling class.
Dysfunction, Ineptness, Evil . . . and Hope
A few stories that have put me in a funk this past week.
Suspect in Murder of Chicago Police Officer Given Plea Deal
All attacks on police officers are egregious. Given that this happened in my original hometown makes it that much more personal.
One of the suspects involved in the shooting of Ella French, a Chicago police officer who was murdered in 2021 will receive only up to seven years in prison for his part in the crime. This sentence is running concurrently with two other charges.
This sentence is a slap in the face to anyone who wears a uniform.
If criminal offenders can shoot police officers without fear of consequence, what does that mean for the rest of us?
Baltimore’s Thin Blue Line (Like So Many Others) is Broken
The City Journal published an article a couple days ago alerting us to the state of policing in Baltimore.
“Nothing kills a police department faster than the destruction of officer morale—and in the BPD, morale is dead. After this report, more good cops will quit or retire early, more officers will back off from proactive policing, and quality men and women who want to serve their community and make a difference will not even apply for the job. . . Baltimore’s thin blue line is broken.
The author adds that:
“Anarchy will terrorize the city’s law-abiding citizens. It will get a lot worse before it gets better.”
How much worse can it get than this, I wonder? WARNING: GRAPHIC!!
“Before Jason Dean Billingsley was accused of killing the Baltimore entrepreneur Pava LaPere, authorities named him as the suspect in a brutal rape and attempted killing last week in West Baltimore.
“Authorities believe Billingsley raped the woman and cut her neck. He doused her and the man with some liquid, then set them on fire, according to the source. The couple survived and were hospitalized along with a child in the house.”
Baltimore is a microcosm for what’s happening in cities across the country - including my current city of Madison.
Goodbye Letter From a Madison Police Officer
A local online journal, Wisconsin Right Now, recently published a farewell letter from a Madison (Wisconsin) police officer to his colleagues.
Some excerpts:
“I have deep concerns for the future of this department and its ability to retain the most valuable resource it doesn’t know it has: the experienced and proficient officers and immediate supervisors who serve the community every day by responding to calls for service.
“This kind of ‘leadership’ does not foster or promote that same respect, dignity, empathy, and kindness that we are expected to demonstrate in our work. How can our primary focus be on serving and protecting the community, when we have to be so concerned about protecting ourselves against an administration that does not support or trust the decisions we make while taking these calculated risks.”
Before taking my police advocacy national, I was a staunch supporter and advocate of the Madison Police Department. So I can tell you that it wasn’t too long ago that this was an elite department that attracted the best of the best. That dedicated officers have no choice but to resign deeply saddens me. This is the type of leadership that permeates policing across the country.
Cops Under Fire
As the welfare of criminal offenders is prioritized, police officers are being zealously indicted for upholding their oath. Per the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund,
“Just a few years ago, LELDF was only defending a small handful of officers Now—thanks largely to rogue prosecutors and their relentless anti-cop, pro-criminal policies—we’re defending 12 good, honest, hard-working cops who’ve been wrongfully fired or charged…”
Why Hope is So Vital
It’s easy to feel paralyzed by these stories and our current situation, and to question whether we can ever become a whole nation again. There are times (like this past week) when I ponder whether I’m wasting my time.
When I find myself in this mindset, I look for signs of hope, which is in more abundance than I think many of us realize. I especially see this hope whenever I network with other Americans who are equally distraught by our trajectory and who want to be part of creating meaningful change. There are a lot of us out there who care.
For example, a colleague and friend from my women’s network and I are discussing how to create a network of police supporters. I also have an upcoming event that will provide me with access to decision makers and important contacts. And a few promising law enforcement bills are on the table, which I’ll be outlining in-depth in the next installment of For the Blue.
As bad as things seem right now, there is always hope. It’s this hope that will see us through what is arguably a time of chaos. Hope is a precious resource; hold on to it tightly.
“Evil is coming for all of us. Nobody is immune and nobody will come out unscathed. In the fight against powers and principalities, the weak ones will bend a knee and lie in order to ‘survive.’ The strong ones with morals who adhere to truth and trust God will persevere.” –James O’Keefe
Poll: Can Policing and Public Safety Be Fixed?
What are your feelings about the future of our nation, especially in terms of policing and public safety? Have we hit rock bottom or do we still have a way to go before things can return to some sense of normalcy? Can our situation even be fixed?
Tell me your thoughts in this poll. It’s completely confidential.
Recommended for You
Two of the nation’s strongest voices for law enforcement will be appearing on the NPA Report tomorrow. In this segment, Betsy Brantner-Smith of the National Police Association is interviewing Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Vice President, Joe Gamaldi. Not to be missed!
Betsy interviewed me last month for the NPA Report. Not that I would ever put myself in the same category as these two powerhouses, but if interested, you can watch it here. : )
I also enthusiastically recommend subscribing to the police newsletters written by my fellow Substackers. These pros offer amazing insights into policing issues, and I’m always learning something new.
What I’m Reading
I’m looking forward to digging into What’s Killing America, a book by Seattle journalist, Jason Rantz. He has his finger on the pulse of what’s led to our current situation, as well as how we can claw our way out of it.
That’s it for now, dear readers. Please stay safe and well. : )
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.
Paula. Thank you for your support. I have spent my life in the law enforcement service to the State of Texas. I currently op-Ed for law officer and teach and train across the nation. Thank you as always to your insights. Please stay safe.
Paula! Excellent as usual! I am speaking at the country’s largest law-enforcement appreciation conference this coming week in Elkhart, Indiana. The focus of the two messages I’m giving is on the nobility of policing, and how we move forward finding our calling as given! Your article is timely, and I see great hope in our future!