Police feel under attack and need backup

Your police need backup. Both now and later.

Right now, every day, police officers in Phoenix and in cities around Arizona and the country are standing the line.

They are defending life and property from destruction and devastation. They stand the line while threats and insults are thrown their way. Threats, both verbal and physical, are a constant presence. Your police feel under attack.

And they are. In the past week, police officers around the United States have been targeted. Some have been shot or seriously wounded. Your police are face-to-face with members of the community who tell the officers – in words and in actions – that they hate the police.

This is why, right now, we need backup. I’ve been a police officer for 30 years and a supervisor for more than 20. While I’ve confronted some of the worst society has to offer (murders, rapists, child molesters), the evil elements of our population do not represent the bulk of our residents. But, sometimes, that is what officers on the line see.

Myself and the men and women I represent know that hatred and destruction are not the answer.

We believe in collaboration and building trust. We see acts of kindness and compassion through businesses and community members donating food and drinks to those of us on the line to protect and serve. We need your help and support right now to show the men and women in uniform that you believe in our mission to maintain order in our society.

We also need your help later.

We feel under attack by elements of the population who loudly shout that police are the enemy or advocate defunding the services that keep our community safe. Some try to advance programs and policies that are meant to pit some members of the community against the police – such as the civilian-led Office of Accountability and

Transparency – instead of working together to have true dialogue and build trust.

The men and women of the Phoenix Police Department love our community. We will stand up for due process for all. We don’t condemn residents as a whole for the actions of a few.

As the leader of the Sergeants and Lieutenants union, I have been meeting, and I will continue to meet with leaders and members of the community who want to work together to protect “justice for all.”

But right now, we feel under attack by some, and we need backup.