SEPT 2023. Blues Vol 39 No. 9

FROM THE EDITOR-AT-LARGE

FROM THE EDITOR-AT-LARGE yrs. This Profession! Challenges in Law Enforcement are nothing new. Our profession has always done more with less and all the while do what we do while under fire. Both, literally and figuratively. And yet somehow, men and women from all across this Nation have sustained enough intestinal fortitude to still ensure the arduous process of a background check, academy, field training and then probationary time. IF and I mean IF a person makes it through all of that, then they get a patrol car (200,000 miles plus with minimal a/c-thank you) all to themselves for their shift. Going from call to call, problem to problem. Like homicides, sexual assaults, child abuse, abuse of a corpse, abuse of an animal, domestic violence calls, traffic accidents, lost children, I forgot where I parked my car, etc, etc, etc. Oh, and in between all of that, there’s a plethora of paperwork to be completed BEFORE you go off duty because hey, nothing is done till the paperwork is done, right?! Then, the next day comes around and you get to work only to find all those reports and paperwork you completed have been broad stroked with corrections for you to complete. Now, for the fun part. You ready? Hang on…here we go!!! No less than three or four people a day ask you if the road you are blocking with your patrol car with its lights on is really blocked or can they simply just go around you. Of those three or four, at least three probably argued with you, cussed you, or may have even shown a bit of exhibition of acceleration as they drove away. Pretty much every call you arrived at someone says, “oh great…so now you show up!” And you’re like, “Bro, I just came on duty and was dispatched straight here…” Your Sergeant (or Sergeants) is like “Where are you? We got calls holding!! Where’s your reports from earlier? Have you completed your time sheet? Why is your car so dirty? Where are you going? Where have you been? And the list goes on. Then there’s the walk by the Captain or Chief’s Office and wouldn’t you know it…they’re like “Hey buddy! How are you? How’s your day? Ok cool, look I got to go, nice talking to ya” and then you don’t see them for another six months. (sigh) Yep. This profession is fairly stagnant when it comes to some of what we do. It hasn’t changed in over 100 years. Oh, the technology and equipment have certainly been upgraded (or downgraded depending on your point of view) but the basics of Law Enforcement remain the same. Get out there, get berated, get chastised, get belittled, all the while keeping your head up and keep on keeping on. As you’re reading this, some of you are laughing or at least giggling by now. Because every word of it is true!!! And some would even beg the question of “Why? Why do we continue to do this job, under such circumstances?” The answer isn’t the pay, that’s for sure. There’s not enough money in the world that can cover a ride CHIEF REX EVANS like this. It’s one thing and one thing only…well, for most of us. It’s a “Calling.” Truly, no one decides to endure all that we endure, day after day, night after night, weekends and holidays, without it really being something special deep within our heart that drives us to do this job. The next time you ask yourself “Why am I doing this?” try to remember one little thing… If not you, then who? Keep on, keeping on. Don’t let this world or people bring you so far down that you want to turn in your badge. You went through hell to get it, remember. Don’t let anyone or anything take it away from you. Be a good cop, do your job and do it well. Maybe, even save a life or two along the way. If no one tells you’re doing a good job, I may or may not be your Chief but, I’ll tell you. You’re doing great. You are more appreciated than you think. Look around, people aren’t exactly knocking down the door to do this job. There’s a critical, nationwide shortage of Law Enforcement Officers. You are very much needed. So…DON” T YOU DARE GIVE UP OR GIVE IN. God bless. And hey!!! Let’s be careful out there. 8 The BLUES

The BLUES 9