PUBLIC VIEWPOINT

Respect Law Enforcement Officers

Recently I was talking to one of our local law enforcement officers about my new psychological website and he jokingly said, “How about an article on how I can deal with mentally ill people?”

I started thinking about the training oft cers must take, and what some people expect. Let’s remember they are law enforcement oft cers, simply meaning, their job is to enforce the law that exists, not make laws, not be a psychologist, a priest, a rabbi or minister. So I did some research on what is expected of them.

To start, the police are always first responders in anaccident, fire and domestic dispute or shooting, etc.

The oft cer must arrive at the scene, take control and command and evaluate the situation for the possibility injury to him/herself and others. Some cities are placing more requirements on their oft cers by requiring them to take EMS training, fi refighting techniques and psychology courses to better deal with mentally ill people. A recent survey showed in most cities the police oftcer’s pay is lower than some construction workers, teachers or auto mechanics, yet a police oftcer is putting his life in harm’s way each time he responds to a call.

I have heard people saythat someone didn’t deserve a ticket for speeding because they were late for work or that the person didn’t make enough money to aff ord the ticket. For police, it is not a moral problem, only a safety issue and law.

I remember a bumper sticker from the ’70s that I have always kept in my mind. It said “If you don’t like COPS, the next time you have a problem call a hippie.” This is as true today, as it was then.

It would be nice if we were living in Mayberry RFD so Andy or Barney could come by and take care of our situations.

Unfortunately, the reality is we don’t live in Mayberry.

Drugs, alcohol and fi rearms are a part of our society, and with too many vehicles and a lack of suft cient roads, driving laws must be strictly enforced. If one gets a ticket for speeding, failure to stop, driving left of yellow or following too close, please remember, the oft cer is trying to keep you and your family alive, as well as me and mine.

So please, be courteous and respectable when you are stopped for an infraction. The oftcer has no personal agenda and he is not picking on you. He is a law enforcement oft cer.

DOYLE YOUNG

Bentonville

Opinion, Pages 5 on 11/14/2012

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