Police not getting support they need in cities led by liberals

Every year, in the month of May, our nation holds a National Police Week to honor the police officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

 

As we observe National Police Week this year, it is important to reflect on the current state of law enforcement in our country. 

 

While our police officers work tirelessly to keep our communities safe, far too many progressives work tirelessly to tear down our police officers.

 

And these past few years have no doubt been especially demanding for law enforcement officers.

That’s saying something, because being a law enforcement officer is already one of the most demanding and dangerous roles our society has to offer.

 

Police officers have faced mounting national scrutiny as calls to “defund the police” continue. 

 

The declining morale of police officers has been reflected in the growing number of police officers leaving the workforce or even retiring early. 

 

According to data from the Police Executive Research Forum, retirements among police officers increased by 45% between April 2020 and April 2021.

 

Resignations increased by 20 percent.

 

Seattle has lost more than a quarter of its police force in the past 2.5 years. This led to the Seattle Mayor declaring last July that “the police department could no longer promptly and effectively provide essential services.”

 

Imagine being a police officer working in an understaffed department.

 

And as you become more and more overworked in a job that’s life or death, you’re demonized more and more everywhere you look? 

 

And then, while understaffed, you notice a sharp increase somewhere else: in crime. 

 

Far too many cities serve as tragic examples. 

 

And it’s not shocking that these cities are led by liberals.

 

At the same time as Seattle lost so many police officers, in 2022 the city witnessed its highest violent crime rate in 14 years.

 

Another prime example is Washington, D.C. – our nation’s capital.

 

D.C. took center stage in discussions of rising crime when, earlier this year, the city passed a bill to decrease penalties for crimes. 

 

That’s right – decreasing, not increasing.

 

Is now really the time to be going softer on crime?

 

Homicides in D.C. have been much higher since 2020 than they were the preceeding three years. The homicide rate last year was more than double what it was ten years ago.

 

The Left ignores our current situation, and they refuse to take accountability for the destruction they have caused.

 

But for the rest of us, the truth remains crystal clear – we need these officers. We can not denigrate these selfless souls that sacrifice for our communities.

 

Like the old stories of soldiers being spit upon when returning home from war, we have a decision to make:

 

Will we spit upon those who protect us, as progressives have done, or will we honor the sacrifice of our law enforcement?

 

National Police Week is dedicated to that honor.

 

This year, the names of 224 police officers who died in 2022 are being memorialized at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.

 

On that memorial, there is a statue of a lion with scripture from Proverbs 28:1 that reads:

 

“The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are as bold as a lion.”

 

This is the time to reflect on the sacrifices made by the righteous. 

 

It is a time to show appreciation.

 

And a time to renew our support so that they can do their jobs safely and effectively.

 

If we do that, then we can create a safer and more just society for all.