The Citizenry Pushes Back
We can never again be complacent
It’s a beautiful thing to watch people push back against distorted public safety narratives. Take last week’s Chicago officer-involved shooting. Although several media outlets tried with all their might to frame a story of rogue cops, the people weren’t having it. The bulk of the comments I’ve read from civilians have been in favor of CPD officers.
While these First Amendment displays are indeed a sign that a growing number of Americans may be becoming more aware of the media’s policing bias, it doesn’t mean we should call it a day. Incredible damage has been done to law enforcement, and we still have a long way to go before we achieve public safety normalcy.
Even if right at this very moment, police departments across the country were to receive an influx of high caliber applicants, it would still require an estimated two years of training to fully prepare these recruits.
And we’re still not close enough to this starting point.
As long as there are political district attorneys who wrongfully prosecute cops for doing their job, legislators who attempt to eradicate qualified immunity protections, (at both the federal and state levels), and police chiefs who don’t stand behind their officers, things will unlikely change much.
And when we do manage to get back on the right track, there will always be groups who hate cops (or any form of authority) and what this country stands for. They’ve emerged at different points throughout our nation’s history, and aren’t about to just walk away. All it will take is a public tragedy and a forgetful public for them to reintroduce their ideologies. It’s why we can never again become complacent.
For now, a top goal is to strengthen laws that protect police officers from physical attacks and other attempts to undermine them, and that advance public safety. This will help ensure a solid foundation regardless of which way the pendulum swings in the future.
For now, the war on cops continues. Tragically, yesterday morning a Memphis police officer was fatally shot by a felon out on the streets with no bond and who had an illegally modified firearm.
Please share this Cops Under Fire video with your networks, and urge them to contact their federal representatives in support of the Protect & Serve Act (H.R. 743).
Updates!
Women Support Law Enforcement
Yesterday afternoon, one of the amazing fellows from the Independent Women’s Forum and I taped a video that will be made available for the launch of our police and public safety action during National Police Week. (I don’t use the term “amazing” lightly. She’s a West Point graduate, former Army paratrooper, and former Presidential appointment, among other accomplishments.)
I can’t wait for you to see the video and all the other resources we’ll have available! I’m not overstating it when I say that law enforcement has gained a powerful ally.
Keep your chin up. Great things are on the way. : )
The Public Safety Free Speech Act (H.R. 7398)
Last week I contacted Rep. Jefferson Van Drew with concerns that some police managers might attempt to skirt the language of his bill, H.R. 7398, which protects the First Amendment rights of police officers and other first responders while off-duty.
His staffer kindly got back to me this past week, grateful for the heads-up, and a promise to forward these concerns to Rep. Van Drew’s legal team.
Florida Really Loves Its Law Enforcement!
Florida had another solid week in advancing pro-police and -public safety legislation.
Governor Ron DeSantis signed Complaints Against Law Enforcement and Correctional Officers (H.B. 601) into law, a bill that I’ve been closely monitoring. It prohibits local, county, and special government units from investigating complaints against police officers, and from passing rules, ordinances, and resolutions on police misconduct. This means civilian oversight committees are legally disallowed.
Like other states, Florida has multiple layers of government oversight that provide a reliable level of transparency and accountability, without subverting a citizen’s First Amendment rights.
The Governor also signed S.B. 184 into law, making it a second-degree misdemeanor to harass police officers and other first responder actively doing their job.
Governor DeSantis also had this to say about the Chicago incident during his press conference this morning.
“How are you in a situation where it is at all controversial to have a criminal suspect shooting and hitting officers . . . and they’re not supposed to respond in kind?”
“They not only have a right to respond in kind, they have a duty to respond in kind.”
While some readers will undoubtedly interpret this as a political statement on my part, it’s hard to deny the evidence that Florida is a model law and order state; and that it would behoove other states to replicate their instruction.
Maybe they are doing just that. The Louisiana Senate is considering a bill that would make it a crime to be within 25 feet of a police officer making an arrest or performing other lawful work. It passed in the House and will likely become law.
Police Leadership Resource
, founder of American Peace Officer kindly forwarded to me, information about the Fourth Annual Leadership Summit, sponsored by the Eureka County (Nevada) Sherriff’s Office. It features , whom I’ve featured in a previous issue. His book, The Courageous Police Leader: A Survival Guide for Combating Cowards, Chaos & Lies is a must-read for a deep dive into today’s prevalence of weak police leadership. It demonstrates the characteristics that exemplify a courageous leader (here’s a prime example of one), and why we need them now more than ever. Unless you live in the area, you likely won’t have time to register this year. It’s still a good resource to consider for future plans.
Parting thoughts . . .
I think a lot of us have a tendency to sell ourselves short. It is indeed easy to feel as if we’re lone voices with little to offer to the public safety forum, or that there’s nothing we can do, as individuals, to support police officers.
The truth is that each of us has a unique set of gifts that are meant to serve others.
What are your unique gifts, and how can you use them to advocate for officers and advance public safety? Granted, it will likely take time and lots of trial-and-error to find your answer.
When I first started advocating for police officers at the local level circa 2016, I knew little and, at the time, it showed. I now grimace when I think back to those first awkward days in 2016, standing at the podium at city council meetings. That was just a starting point for me, however, and with time I learned and grew. If I had never taken those initial first steps, you wouldn’t be reading this newsletter.
Regardless of where you’re at on your police or public safety advocacy journey, there is a place for you. If you’re not sure where to start, just start somewhere, then build from there. I’m always here if you’d like to chat.
Best. : )
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 commentary! I’m glad you started taking a stand in 2016!
Your work is always on point and appreciated. May you be blessed in your crusade.