What U.S. Police Leaders Can Learn From the Ukraine Crisis
Don't sit down for bullies & stop trying to reason with people who can't be reasoned with
This is going to be brief as I’m still gathering my thoughts on the Ukraine crisis and am in the middle of work projects. I also have a lot to say about police leadership in the U.S. - it’s a topic I’ll be writing quite a bit about.
For now, I can’t help but draw parallels between the Ukraine crisis and police leadership in the U.S. (exceptions noted, of course.)
I’m by no means a military strategist, but having both Polish and Ukrainian blood pumping through my veins, I grew up with an understanding of that region. I’ve heard the stories. I’ve seen Poland when it was still occupied by Russian (Communist) rule. I’ve met relatives who suffered under Hitler’s regime. Seeing where the actual brutality occurred and talking to people who’ve experienced hell is quite different than just reading about it in history books.
We are truly blessed to live in this country.
Hitler, Putin, and other dictators are people who can’t be reasoned with. They’re not like you and me. They’re bullies and tyrants- and there is no amount of hand-holding or psycho-analyses that will change that.
This is a fact so many Americans don’t seem to understand: there is incomprehensible evil and insanity in our world. It’s why we need strong and stable military and police departments: to protect us from it. Weakening either of these institutions is the same as weakening our country, and by extension, all of us.
We need strong, unflinching leaders who are willing to put the Constitution and the law and the good of the people they serve before politics, career ambitions, or popularity contests. Leaders who will do the right thing because it’s the right thing.
Every time police chiefs and leaders play politics with the badge, kneel for an entire profession as if it’s fatally flawed, or tell rank-and-file officers to stand down to rioters (as if that will somehow appease them), they are making us all weaker.
As with anything in life -from schoolyard bullies to brutal dictators- you don’t sit down for the mob and you don’t try to reason with people who have no intention of even seeing you halfway. And you don’t wait to see what they’re capable of - you have a proactive mindset.
This type of leadership takes immense courage and character. How many are up to the task?
May God protect the Ukraine and Poland (Putin’s been emboldened. Why would he stop with the Ukraine?). And may God have mercy on the U.S. - I fear a rough road ahead for us.