As one of only a small number of board-certified law enforcement psychologists in this country, and someone who is proud to have worked closely with the men and women in blue for more than 30 years at federal, state and local levels, I must speak up.
I am sick at heart over last Thursday’s slaughter in Dallas of innocent individuals who put their lives on the line every day not only for you and me but also for the kind of subhuman life form that would commit such a heinous act. There are no words to describe my outrage and sorrow.
I have been to far too many line-of-duty death scenes, grieved with far too many law enforcement families, attended far too many law enforcement funerals, and counseled far too many broken men and women trying to cope with the trauma of losing their sisters or brothers in blue or being exposed to one too many scenes of unimaginable tragedy and horror to be able to remain silent any longer.
I am sick of the politically correct environment that makes us afraid to stand up for individuals who have the bravery and character to run toward the kind of situations the rest of us fearfully flee. I am sick of the pundits, politicians and activists who rush to judgment and mischaracterize both sides of a controversial incident before all the facts are in. And I am sick of the lack of recognition for the daily heroic, selfless and generous acts of these valiant men and women.
Where is the recognition of the circumstances under which these people are expected to perform their duties? We must acknowledge and appreciate the enormous toll this job takes on a law enforcement professional’s personal life, physical health and emotional well-being. We expect these individuals to leave their loved ones, put on a conspicuous uniform, and ride around in a clearly marked car in areas of our cities that most of us are unwilling to frequent at hours of the night when we are safe in bed.
We hold these men and women to the unrealistic expectation that they will be able to make split-second, life-and-death decisions, while under enormous amounts of stress, without ever making a mistake. Then, far too often, we hold them accountable, as a group, for the unfortunate acts of a very few.
We expect police officers to respond to unimaginable scenes of depravity and horror and to protect, comfort and help people who sometimes want them dead. They must remain in control, emotionless and respectful under extraordinary circumstances, performing their duties while overloaded with adrenaline and other fight-or-flight chemicals. Far too often we forget that these people are human, too.
These are individuals who routinely deal with such traumas as helplessly holding a dying child who is bleeding out in their arms, futilely breathing into the mouth of an infant who has turned blue and is probably already dead, carrying a brutally beaten woman to safety at their own peril, balancing on a ledge while trying to rescue a suicidal teenager, responding to grisly murder scenes where unspeakable acts have been committed, and rushing into situations with mass casualties where their own lives are in danger, but they are driven to respond because the dying and injured are crying out for their help.
These sights, sounds and even smells will remain embedded in the minds of these law enforcement officers for the rest of their lives, disturbing their sleep and eroding their emotional and physical health over time. And now we add being the target of hate-mongers to the list.
And yes, there are bad apples — just as in every line of work. They need to be punished and driven out of the profession. But the vast majority of police are dedicated public servants who put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve you and me.
We all need to recognize that in a time when we need these kinds of rare, self-sacrificing individuals more than ever, we are making it extremely difficult to recruit and retain them. This is a frightening prospect for this country.
I urge you to take the time to thank a police officer or deputy for their service when you encounter them. They need all the support and appreciation we can give them. Please do not be afraid to step up and do what is right.
Kathleen Rork Pollock is a clinical psychologist who is board-certified in police and public safety psychology. She lives in Colorado.
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