Police officers deserve better treatment
by Nick Nance, reporter

    The lack of respect people have for police officers is appalling.

   These public servants are putting themselves in danger in the urban battlefields we call cities.

   The fact that they are and must be authoritative is part of the job.

   Because of society and their role, it is a must for police officers to have command and always be aware of their safety.

   These two traits of officers are often times not taken the way they should be. I do not want someone like Hooks from Police Academy stopping me for anything.

   I want someone who has total control of the situation at all times. There has been no respect for the entire field of law enforcement for years.

   I thought we might get a rebirth of respect after the world saw how brave and courageous New York public servants were on Sept. 11.

   However, we didn’t. The disrespect continues. People still think that the only reason we have police is to harass them or give them speeding tickets.

   These people bring these problems on themselves. Individuals should exercise self-control and realize the consequences of their actions.

   Somewhere along the way, it has become the nature of our society to blame someone else for our problems. It is not the police officer’s fault if you speed, beat your spouse, fail to register your car plates or drink and drive.

   Police officers are employed to do a job just as you might be. Their job is to enforce the laws of our society, laws made by people you might have voted for.

   The idea that police set out each day with the intention of harassing citizens is just ridiculous. Police officers do a job that puts them in situations most citizens will never know about.

   I do not think the criticism of the law enforcement community should stop. Such criticism is a check and balance to ensure police officers know they are being watched, and checks and balances are necessary for all of government.

   However, I do believe that we should respect them for the job they do. If you do not want to have contact with a police officer, follow the rules like everyone else.

   Respect cannot be demanded, nor do police officers demand respect, but they have earned it. I think it’s time for society to acknowledge it.