How to Effectively Fight for Cops
While keeping your dignity & sanity
In an era of sound bites & misinformation, cops have most definitely been on the losing end. One way we can effectively fight back is by helping to educate the citizenry.
We can teach our fellow Americans about the critical role police play in our communities, about the toxic landscape cops now function in, and that without an adequate number of police officers, we fail as a nation.
We do this with facts, vetted information, and as much grace as we can muster.
Speaking up is easier when you have tools at your disposal - which is what this guide is about. The following is the result of my experiences (and yes, mistakes!) as a citizen advocate for the Madison Police Department. These are the best ways I know of to effectively speak out for cops while keeping your sanity.
I’m working on creating a communication kit that addresses specific issues in policing (for example, why cops can’t always rely on Tasers) so that you have what you need to speak confidently in front of city council meetings, communicate with your legislators, and pen thoughtful op-eds.
In the meantime, I hope you find the following tips useful in your own police advocacy.
Arm Yourself With Vetted Information
The more information we have about issues facing police, the better position we’re in to debate and push back against false narratives.
We also lose credibility when our arguments are not steeped in truth - our opponents are at the ready to eke apart false statements. Don’t give them ammunition.
Some of My Trusted Places to Get Information About Police Issues
Rank-and-file police officers
They’re the ones sweating it out in the field, who best know the landscape, and who experience blowback from failed policies.
Police chiefs may also be a good source of information, but this largely depends on who your chief is. While our beloved former Chief Mike Koval was an excellent source of information, too many chiefs are nothing but politicians with badges. (Toxic police leadership is an upcoming topic on this blog.)
To start engaging with your local officers, participate in ride-alongs, attend Coffee with a Cop get-togethers, citizen academies, or police department-sponsored meetings.
Policing Organizations
One of my favorite policing organizations to follow is the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). Not only do they have their finger on the pulse of issues facing police officers, but they unapologetically defend them. They’re the group that worked with federal legislators to draft the Protect & Serve Act.
If you’re short on time, you can follow them on various social media platforms, including Twitter. For more in-depth coverage, take a peak at their Journal & annual Day on the Hill briefs, and listen to their podcast.
A few other organizations I follow are National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, The Wounded Blue, National Police Association, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Some of these organizations even open their conferences to civilians. Last October I had planned to attend The Wounded Blue’s gala but was sidetracked by an illness in the family.
Journals & Publications
Some of the more widely known general police publications are Law Enforcement Today, Law Officer, and Police One. And though it’s geared towards police officers, Calibre Press is a good source for understanding the mechanics behind policing.
For more structured scientific studies, I’ll do an online search. For example, if I’m looking for data on PTSD in cops, my search might look like this: studies on PTSD in police officers, and I’ll find pages like this: Study pinpoints five most likely causes of post-traumatic stress in police officers in Science Daily.
Know When to Walk Away
I don’t know about you, but I don’t have time to spend hours on social media, bantering with strangers who will likely never be convinced - regardless of what data I show them.
In my experience, when someone has a fixed mindset about police (or anything) there’s nothing you can say or do to change their minds.
During my police advocacy, there were certain people I refused to engage with. Not just because I thought it was a waste of time, but because they had this propensity to laser focus on a sentence or word, contort it, and try to use it against me.
Don’t give them the ammo. State your case -based on the facts- and if someone isn’t receptive (hint: they keep telling you why you’re wrong even though you present them with clear data), move on. Buh-bye.
Focus on Planting Seeds
Though there are people who will never be open to what you have to say, there are many more who are on the fence about policing - and they’re likely on the fence because of misinformation. These are the people I focused on -not the true believers- during my advocacy for Madison PD.
My strategy was this: find constructive venues to present the facts, whether at city council meetings, via op-eds, to the media, or on my website. Then let those facts speak for themselves. Open-minded people who are armed with knowledge and the truth are apt to have their lightbulb moments.
We can’t control outcomes or what other people think. All we can do is present the truth, and let people figure it all out for themselves.
Engage With Truth-Seekers
I’ll listen and debate with anyone who comes from a place of truth-seeking, and who genuinely wants to learn - and from whom I can learn. We solve problems, in part, with humility, not with battles of the egos.
(Admittedly, it’s become increasingly difficult to find this sort of constructive dialog.)
This doesn’t mean you need to let go of the truth as you see it. I like to take into consideration other people’s arguments then noodle on them. If an argument lacks logic or cohesion, however, I quickly reject it.
Avoid Time Wasters
Arguing on social media with complete strangers is a complete waste of time. Use your energy for the times when your voice will count. For example:
City council meetings
Legislative hearings
Meeting, calling, or writing to your elected officials
Writing op-eds
Talking to the media
Anyone can rant on social media. Keyboard warriors are a penny a dozen. Genuine advocates make their voices heard when and where it counts.
Write it All Down
As an introvert, I’m not a naturally gifted speaker. If you know anything about certain types of introversion, then you understand that we process information differently - the data first has to go through an entire internal dialog, taking into consideration all variables from every possible angle, before coming out of our mouths.
It’s even worse when standing in front of a group of people who you know probably won’t like what you’re about to say.
In these cases, there’s no shame in composing your thoughts and preparing a written speech before you give testimony. I do this all the time, and it works well.
Don’t Bow Down to the Mob
Bullies prey on perceived weakness. The moment you apologize for something you shouldn’t even have to apologize for -like those police officers who kneel for all of policing- they will think they have you where they want you. Not only will they not accept your “apology” or respect you, but they’ll use it against you.
This doesn’t mean you should go looking to pick fights. If however, someone does call out your legitimate, well-articulated thoughts and your first instinct is to “ask for mercy” from the mob, don’t. You said your piece - just walk away.
It’s natural for many of us to retreat from conflict and to try to just “get along.” It’s frightening as heck to put yourself out there for public consumption.
Yet we can’t let fear hold us back from defending law enforcement, because without them we will most certainly fail as a nation. You don’t have to be loud and brash to make your voice count. A simple, fact-based letter to the editor or a call to your elected officials is pretty powerful stuff.
I’m just a citizen who saw good cops getting attacked, took the time to learn the issues, and spoke out. There’s no reason why you can’t do the same thing.