Police work, always difficult, has become even more so this year. First, in many jurisdictions, police officers found themselves faced with the awful dilemma of being tasked with enforcing virus-related executive orders (e.g., the lockdowns) falling outside the traditional role of law-enforcement, despite the lack of constitutional support for those orders. This dilemma, and the need to uphold the Constitution, is the subject of our article “Police Officers and the Communities They Serve” (page 17).
Then there was the ramping up of the already-existing propaganda war against police in the wake of the death of George Floyd while in police custody. Contrary to the facts, the widely circulated video of this horrific incident was used to further besmirch local police throughout the nation as systemically racist and abusive. Not surprisingly, the anti-police rhetoric has fueled violence against police officers (page 20).
The tragic Floyd incident also served as the catalyst for the riots that have endangered the lives of citizens and police officers alike. Yet police efforts to quell the lawlessness have been hamstrung by political decisions (page 8). And against reason and commonsense, the call has risen to disband the police (page 13).
Yes, an already tough job has gotten tougher. Now, more than ever, the local police need our support.
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Let me close with an appeal. The Law Enforcement Charitable Foundation is a relatively young organization in need of veteran staff. Our Founder and President James Fitzgerald, a former Newark, N.J. detective, has recently retired while continuing to help the organization when and where he can.
We’re in need of someone with a law enforcement background who has a passion for helping the families of fallen officers, as well as helping law-enforcement agencies across the country. The foundation has freelance staff that helps with administrative duties. We also have an affiliated national staff that can assist when needed. A full-time presence in Appleton, Wis., is preferred, but does not have to be immediate.
If you or someone you know is interested, please let us know by submitting a cover letter and resume to [email protected] or call us at 877-325-COPS (2677).
Bill Hahn
Treasurer , Law Enforcement Charitable Foundation, Inc.