Police are Central to Ensuring Absolute Rights; Government's Big Fail; PASSED: House Resolution on Violence Against Officers

Plus police & public safety news and an action alert

Our nation’s founders affirmed that each of us is born with absolute rights. It’s a premise that inspired the formation of our government, was expressed in the Declaration of Independence, and set the groundwork for the U.S. Constitution.

Police officers play an instrumental role in ensuring these rights, which Senator Chuck Grassley has so eloquently summarized:

“In our own Declaration of Independence, our founding fathers spoke of certain unalienable rights, endowed by our Creator. Those specifically mentioned were life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. None of these rights are possible without a citizen’s most basic level of security. And while the United States has layers of safety built into our systems of government, none is more critical to our foundational rights than local law enforcement. Maintaining a free, safe and civil society is squarely dependent on someone who is willing to answer the call, without regard to time or circumstance, and put themselves in harm’s way to ensure the innocent are protected and the law is upheld.”

The Declaration may not be legally binding, yet it’s a valuable document that our leadership and political class would benefit from studying this Fourth of July holiday.

Because they are failing to protect our inalienable rights

When we have to move away from the cities we love because of unabated crime, walk over used needles, and are being attacked by repeat violent offenders, I’d argue that we’re not truly free. I’d also add that the government is failing at protecting our God-given rights.

It’s difficult to pursue happiness (however you define it) and live freely, after all, while living in a chaos.

One of the most egregious examples of government mismanagement is on full display in Chicago. A recent Wirepoints piece reported that in 2024 (and 2023) individuals have a 50 / 50 chance of receiving police assistance if shot, robbed or assaulted in Chicago.

At a time when Chicago is experiencing high crime, the Chicago PD is down nearly 20% of front-line cops when compared to 2019. And as Wirepoints explains,

“Police are also forced to increasingly focus on consent decree compliance and bureaucratic paperwork, insiders tell us, which keeps officers off the street. But most of all it’s a problem of city leadership that’s made Chicago’s policing and criminal justice system dysfunctional.”

The government’s mismanagement coupled with political posturing and policies like cashless bail have led to a public safety crisis that has essentially deprived the citizenry of some of their basic rights. Major fail on their part.

Each of us deserves to express our God-given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. As Sen. Grassley expertly explained, “None of these rights are possible without a citizen’s most basic level of security.”

This is precisely why we need a solid blue line comprised of dedicated officers. Our freedoms depend on it.

PASSED! House Resolution 1213

H.Res. 1213 Regarding Violence Against Law Enforcement Officers passed the House with 337 YEAs.

This resolution recognizes the factors that have stoked increasing violence against officers; acknowledges the unique challenges of twenty-first century policing; and calls for the House to take actions like condemning calls to defund the police and setting the tone for how the nation treats its officers.

It’s a reasonable resolution, yet there were 61 NAY votes. How biased against police must one be?

Here’s how you can take action

• Find out how your congressperson voted on H.R. 1213 here.

• If it’s a YEA vote, please send a note of thanks.

• If it’s a NAY vote, ask for your congressperson’s reasoning. Why would they vote against a resolution that acknowledges the increased violence being perpetrated on police officers?

Some of the stories I’m following.

Improperly Accessing Officer Files

Journalist Bill Melugin reported that he and his team obtained an arrest affidavit for a top Los Angeles district attorney’s office official. The State Attorney General’s office has hit her with 11 felony charges. Bill explains,

“Per affidavit: Investigators say Teran improperly accessed over 1,600 protected peace officer files during a 9 month window while working at @LASDHQ in 2018, then brought the data over to Gascon's DA office in 2021 when she began working there, and used the information to try to put cops on the LADA office's Brady list (list of law enforcement accused of misconduct. Being on a Brady list is very serious as it can taint prosecutions and overturn convictions).”

Unreal.

When Police Can’t Police

In response to a situation where New York’s Finest tried to subdue a resisting suspect, John Macari, a retired lieutenant with the NYPD wrote this:

“Members of the NYPD realize that they will be arrested & charged with Felony assault for using a nightstick to subdue a resisting perpetrator. They conclude this because they have seen their co workers be arrested & charged with misdemeanor assault for utilizing hand strikes.”

Sound familiar?

It’s sad to watch as officers are demeaned, humiliated, and ultimately prevented from effectively performing their duties. We’re all less safe because of it.

Scathing Letter from the Baltimore FOP President

Baltimore FOP president, Mike Mancuso was appropriately blunt when he responded to a recent administrative investigation of officers during a shooting.

“The Baltimore Police Department and city leaders continue to push their failures onto the rank-and-file members within our agency. . . Not a single city leader or BPD Command member, most of whom played a part in the daily staffing shortages that are ever present throughout the city.”

Scapegoating rank-and-file officers in the interest of self-preservation is a sign of the cowardice and weak leadership that’s become common in policing.

For this Fourth of July holiday, I told myself I’d take some time to decompress. We’re not into fireworks displays and large crowds, so I think I’ll devote at least part of the day to tackling the lineup of books awaiting me on my nightstand and Kindle. During this time of year, I especially like to re-read about the perilous journey our nation’s founders traveled to get to the point of signing the Declaration. That story never gets old.

After a (very) brief hiatus, it’s back to work. I’m partnering with the lovely women of Independent Women’s Forum / Independent Women’s Network on some new projects for our new police and public safety initiative. I can’t wait to share these plans with you.

What are your Fourth of July plans?

Wishing you a happy and safe holiday. : )

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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.