Police officer’s dad worried but proud.
The following thoughts are addressed to anyone harboring concerns or resentment toward the men and women representing our nation’s law-enforcement agencies. Our son, Jeff, has had one job during the 26 years following his graduation from college: He serves as a police officer.
In that capacity, he interacts daily with members of the community in varying roles, ranging from advisory to confrontational contacts. As his dad, I have been extended the privilege of participating in several “ride-alongs” with him in his Long Beach, Calif., jurisdiction and seeing firsthand what his responsibilities entail.
I have never once seen him or any of his fellow officers treat any citizen with disrespect, even when an encounter has out of necessity escalated to the use of force to quell a disturbance.
At the same time, my wife, Joan, and I are acutely aware that regular contact with our son could end at any time as a result of the danger associated with his chosen profession. This is a sobering realization, and one that is not taken lightly. Almost daily, our thoughts wander to our son’s job, and we find ourselves thanking a higher power for keeping Jeff safe.
He chose his future profession at age 4, when I took him to a University of Texas football game. While walking toward Memorial Stadium in Austin, a thoughtful Texas Ranger on a motorcycle sensed our son’s interest in his mode of transportation. He invited Jeff to sit on his cycle and the officer put his crash helmet on our son’s head. From that moment on, the die was cast.
When Jeff chose his major field of study as an undergraduate in college, he proudly told us it was criminology. We decided at that moment to be fully supportive and not to question his choice. Upon graduation, he applied and was accepted to the police academy; and after completing successfully the training program, he became a sworn officer with a daily beat.
Jeff has worked in a wide variety of settings with growing responsibilities and has served the public with an unequivocal sense of purpose and dedication. I recently asked him how he feels today about the public’s “bipolar attitude” toward law-enforcement representatives. His response: “We have a difficult job to perform and not everyone will appreciate the way in which we must fulfill those responsibilities.”
Next week our son will be promoted to the rank of commander in the city of Long Beach Police Department. As his parents, we are proud beyond words for this accomplishment. However, we are still mindful daily of the risks he assumes as part of his duties, and we will continue to offer our prayers for the safe dispatch of his responsibilities.
We also offer our sincere and best wishes to all who serve as law-enforcement representatives.