To the communities in pain:
I am deeply troubled and horrified by the death of George Floyd. There is neither excuse nor justification for what was done to him. I am convinced that part of moving forward as a society is individually acknowledging we cannot all empathize with the struggles and oppression felt by others – though we may try and desire to.
As a Police Officer, my ego wants me to believe I am not part of the problem but I am realizing ego itself and selected ignorance is the very essence of the problem. I truly believe that the majority of officers are upstanding individuals who truly want to serve and protect their communities. In saying this, I recognize there is a larger systemic societal issue and I personally apologize for subtle and unintended prejudice I may have shown in the past.
Your dignity and freedom are more important than my pride.
As a human being, I set aside my ego and humbly kneel as a sign of respect for those who peacefully protest things I will never understand.
In the words of MLK –
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
Martin Luther King Jr.

To Police Officers around the world:
I understand the struggle. Being a Police Officer is a tough job. In a lot of ways I compare it to being a referee of a sporting event- despite your efforts to do your job to the best of your ability, there will always be people that are questioning your every decision and choose to criticize from the spectator booth. We may not be perpetrators of hate, intolerance and oppression but our communities are looking to us to be part of the solution.
There are so many challenges to being a Police Officer not the least of which is having to answer for the inexcusable actions of our fellow officers on occasion. I believe we are called to a high standard and now is our time to respond in meaningful and heartfelt ways.
On top of the challenges of shift work, the associated sleep disruptions and often downright deprivation of our minds and bodies, we must also process the accumulation of residual trauma from the years of trying to make sense what we see and are exposed to on a daily basis.
Inevitably our jobs take a major toll on our psyche in ways we feel at the time and in other more covert ways in the future. Unconsciously we can become more distant from friends, family and society as a whole as we can feel like the only people who truly understand us are others who wear the uniform. We succumb to suppressed emotions, isolation or often turn to substance abuse. Unfortunately, this becomes a cycle of unhealthy coping mechanisms, which can lead to patterns of depression and tragically far too often suicide. Police officers often feel misunderstood, unappreciated and physically, emotionally and mentally weary. It is a tough load to bear but as someone who has discovered the freedom and hope found in the courage of vulnerability, I truly believe it is the first step in processing and responsibly dealing with our own present and future health.
Once our own mental health becomes a priority and we begin to implement healthy habits and emotional processing tools, we can operate from a better mental and emotional space to serve and protect others. This also shields others from us projecting our insecurities, fears, traumas and judgments from a position of authority. Although the media can often elicit and perpetuate fear by propagating hate, judgment and intolerance, we must recognize and admit that as a law enforcement community there are wrongs that need to be addressed in meaningful and sincere ways.
As a Police community it’s time to collectively step across the peaceful protest lines in love, humility and sincerity with an empathetic posture. Continued silence and inaction only furthers the distrust and fear that exists towards us.

When we took the oath to serve and protect, we committed to upholding and amplifying the rights of others above our own. We committed to protecting the interests, safety and voices of others that are not as loud, represented nor as protected as our own.
Policing in the modern world cannot be about flexing authoritative muscle in order to gain compliance.
As Police Officers we must learn that vulnerability is courage. We must commit to prioritizing our own mental health, which will in turn allow us to experience true human connection through feeling and communicating healthy emotion with the community we serve. May we all keep open minds and open hearts toward those that may have different perspectives and priorities than us, and instead of giving judgment, offer a listening ear.
Thank you for the choices you make in good conscience. Know that as long as you can look yourself in the mirror every mornimg, you are not wrong. I understand you cant duck the hard choices and you have to uphold the law to the best of your ability. I dont know how you keep your cool and sense of right and wrong in the world you see each day. I can only hope you have the resources to keep you from becoming jaded and start to think that everyone is the same.
You made the choice to pay the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe. Please understand you are loved and respected and I hold you in awe for your choice. Thank you for your service.
I cannot ever think of painting all of you with the same brush.
The clichés of ‘bad apples spoiling the bunch’ don’t bring much in the way of understanding of how you daily face the reality that “…perhaps someone is going to think I am just like…”.
I can’t imagine the burden you are being made to carry now on top of the daily life of an Officer burdens that you willingly take on as part of your calling.
You and your fellow Officers are inspiring.
Keep up the good work.
I am on your side.
Love to you all. ❤️ Thank you for writing this. It is important that we make room for the healing of all humans in our community. In and out of uniforms.
Thank you for taking the time to write and share your thoughts, experiences, and feelings about policing and how you are working through these challenging times. My heart is very concerned for police officers and their families right now, as they have been all lumped into one group and are being judged very harshley and unfairly because of the actions of a small number of officers. Please know you and your family and your fellow police officers are truly appreciated and needed. Communication and vulnerability like you talk about is so helpful and important! Your words will help me to better communicate and be an advocate for you and your fellow officers. Please also know that you and your family are in my prayers.
I see your vulnerability and your desire for resolve in this giant issue and I appreciate you. Thank you for your message as an advocate for peace and hope for better connection between people and the police. Thank you for your service as a police officer – I acknowledge there is need to change but I also know we need good officers like you – so I kneel with you. Respect and honor and kindness and care needs to be for all lives.