Under attack

The police in America are under attack.

Three were killed last weekend in Baton Rouge. Three others were wounded. Just before this, five were killed in Dallas with nine other police and two bystanders wounded. Both attacks were pre-meditated ambushes.

Beyond these physical attacks, the nation’s law enforcement is also under fire for what many think are questionable deaths of citizens by police. Two recent deaths at the hands of police in Falcon Heights, Minn., and, again, Baton Rouge have sparked outrage and protests. Police are accused of targeting blacks. There is a long list of alleged police crimes that have sent protestors violently into the streets. African-Americans consider themselves under attack as well.

Despite the fact that many encounters with police are by nature confrontational, the police are essential to the safety of all citizens. They may be disliked for being involved in traffic citations and domestic crises, but they are there when the average citizen needs help, when shop owners need protection and when crimes need to be solved.

We cannot do without them. Without them, the nation would be chaotic and much more dangerous and lawless than it is.

The outrage caused by the actions of a few cops does not reflect the actions of thousands upon thousands of cops across the nation.

The police are not necessarily quick to admit their fault. Likewise, citizens impacted negatively are not quick to see the other side.

As more and more attacks on police occur and more and more accusations of undue police force are voiced, the situation can only escalate, unless some real effort is made on both sides.

A first step is that law enforcement, regardless of the agency, police itself. They need to cull out those who pose potential problems and unnecessarily endanger citizens. It is a stressful, dangerous job. Not everyone is suited for it.

At the same time, the public needs to realize that attacking police as a homogeneous group just diminishes their ability to protect and serve. Rioting against police for the actions of a few individuals is not the answer.

We cannot do without the police. Often, their jobs are thankless and dangerous. They are doing the work we cannot do ourselves. For this, they deserve the respect of all citizens, just as all ordinary citizens deserve their respect.

Gordon Forgey

Publisher