The year was 2002 and I was a 23-year-old rookie working the streets of small-town U.S.A. Just two years prior, I had graduated from Fox Valley Technical College with an associate degree in Police Science. According to the State of Wisconsin, I was a certified Police Officer. I passed my Psychological Exam and Physical agility testing. All I needed was a department to take a chance on me. That would prove to be more difficult than I anticipated. My path was anything but ordinary. I didn’t have any family members in law enforcement, and the only police officer I knew was my fifth grade D.A.R.E Officer. That was all it took for me. That officer took the time to recognize my struggles as my parents were going through a divorce. From that point on, I knew if I could have that same impact on even one person’s life, that was my calling. That story continued to drive me when the naysayers told me I was too short and didn’t weigh enough to be a Police Officer. I took every opportunity I had to get my foot in the door and increase my experience. I started out as Reserve Deputy, and a part-time officer with two small police departments. Finally, a department took a chance on me. I was issued my badge, a gun, and a key to the squad. The job started at $13.00/hour. After a brief two-week training period, I was on my own. This was my dream job. All my hard work had paid off.
As many of you reading this know, it didn’t take long for me to see some of the daily challenges that police officers face. Sleep deprivation, isolation, being judged for the uniform you wear, internal politics with local government, mandatory overtime, and of course interacting with the citizens who are, in most cases, having the worst day of their lives. The academy prepares you for many things, but as I remind people, officers are not robots, and they feel things just like everyone else. I spent the next 18 years involved with many aspects of law enforcement including Patrol, Police School Liaison Officer, Sensitive Crime Investigator, Lieutenant, Past President-Wisconsin Juvenile Officers’ Association, and volunteer for the Law Enforcement Torch Run. I remain active as the 2nd Vice President of the Fraternal Order of Police-Fox Valley Lodge #14. I have channeled my passion for law-enforcement into a passion to support all aspects of the law enforcement community. Throughout my career, I witnessed many great police officers fall victim to internal investigations involving a personal opinion or off-duty experience. The Law Enforcement Charitable Foundation is here to help bridge the gap between the nearly 700,00 Law Enforcement Officers and the people they serve. We are your voice! Additionally, with increased funding, LECF will grant aid to those departments who are in dire need of updated protective equipment and will continue to reach out to families of fallen officers, who gave their lives to protect and serve the people of their communities
I acknowledge this task will not be easy, but oftentimes great things require work and collaboration. What can you do to help? Reach out and let me know the roadblocks our Officers and Departments are currently facing. “Like” our Facebook page at Law Enforcement Charitable Foundation, Inc. | Facebook Take a moment and pray for the safety of law enforcement community. Become a supporter of LECF at https://www.lecf-inc.org/donations.php. Stay tuned as we will be launching a free and exciting new way to support our local heroes. Please feel free to reach out to me with comments, questions or concerns. Thank you for your continued support and stay safe.
Matt Harper, Director, LECF, Inc
(920) 225-5763