First of all, let me state my bias towards those who “serve
and protect” us on a 24-7 basis.
As the son of a 26-year veteran of the Detroit Police
Department (yes,
the
City of
Detroit, and yes, my dad was a patrol officer when the events of July 23, 1967 occurred
that led to the infamous Detroit Riots), there has always been a healthy
respect for those in blue or brown who have chosen this somewhat thankless
profession.
Just as in any human endeavor, there are cases where abuse
and neglect have occurred, and for those who have been victimized by that,
there is an understandable bent against the “system” which can lead to coloring
all police as “pigs,” to use a term from the 1960’s. However, that should not
lead to painting all those who serve with that same broad brush.
That bias in favor of police made it admittedly tough to
objectively view recent developments involving the Grand Rapids Police
Department, which led to a couple of public “fact finding” hearings last week
conducted by the state Department of Civil Rights. Respect for authority was
bred into me, and the words of Scripture (1 Peter 2:13-14) just reinforces
that, so trying to get an understanding of why refusing to obey an order of an
officer, or of being victimized by “racial profiling” is difficult.
It was good to chat a couple of weeks ago, when subbing for
Ed Ver Schure on “Talk of the Town,” with Pastor Willie Watt of Escape
Ministries, a former gang member who now deals with addressing the needs of
at-risk youth in our area, about the perception of police by those on the
streets. He provided a
perspective
that can’t be gained from this desk.
Overnight, a Grand Rapids police officer had to be placed on
paid administrative leave after he apparently shot a distraught man outside of
a convenience store who was brandishing a gun and threatening to shoot himself
and anyone else who came close to him. It’s a situation that has become
commonly referred to as “suicide by cop,” and GRPD Acting Deputy Chief Pete
McWatters told reporters that, “Our officers are ok, and we’re meeting their
needs emotionally, making sure that they’re ok.”
Other than handling domestic disputes, this situation of
dealing with an armed, distraught person is probably the most stressful call
dispatchers can relay to responding police officers. No law enforcement
professional ever wants to fire his weapon, and the emotional scars after such
a discharge can be deep.
Finally, a shout out to some from this area who graduate today from the 135
th
Michigan State Trooper Recruit
School. Among the 101 new recruits are Jamison Burress of Hamilton, who will be
assigned to the Wayland Post; Daniel Hoffman of Fennville and Austin Kelly of
Allegan, both of whom are headed to the Alpena Post; and Dustin Pitcel of Casco
Township, whose is going to the Brighton Post.
Thanks for these new troopers, as well for all in brown or
blue, for stepping up and protecting us, even when it appears that we don’t
want such protection.
For those of you who took a moment to read this … thank you
too!
