Police Devotional 10-6-20

Truth Prevails

   “For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” (2 Corinthians 13:8)

   As a cop, you know that people are important, regardless of their race or ethnicity. You know it’s true and you demonstrate your commitment to that truth day in and day out by doing your best police work.

   Say you get a call of a lady being beaten by her kids’ father. You don’t ask the dispatcher what race she is. You don’t care. You care that she and her kids need help, fast. So you fly to the scene, lights and siren, which can be dangerous to do in itself. When you arrive, you see her eye is puffed shut. Her lip is cut and bleeding. You also learn that her two small kids saw him beat her. They’re scared and crying.

   The guy took off. You want him. Bad. Any guy who beats a lady, especially in front of kids, belongs in jail. You tour. You look through yards. You see a guy hiding in a bush. It’s him. You order him out. You resist the urge to give him some of his own medicine and say, “Hey, tough guy, like to pick on women?” You handcuff him and take him in. You’re a professional and you act like one.

   You get a call of a “person shot.” Again: high-speed, lights, and siren. You don’t care about race or ethnicity. You care about people. The victim may be an adult. Maybe a kid. It’s really bad when it’s a kid. You arrive. People are angry, upset, crying. You get the suspect info, pass it on, and tour. EMS takes the victim away. Sometimes victims survive. Sometimes, sadly, they don’t.

   In any high-crime area, it’s not about race or ethnicity. It’s about helping victims and decent people. Someone has to help them against criminals who prey on them. Decent people in these areas know this truth, and you often see how much they care about you, as well. Times will come when citizens in tough areas help you, even at risk to themselves. These are people for whom you want to do your best work.

   You’ve probably heard that perception is what counts, not the intent. For example, one time a sportscaster said a certain player had a “chink in his armor,” that is, a weak area in his playing ability. The player in question was Asian, so the remark was perceived as racist and offensive. The sportscaster, who is also part-Asian, indicated he had not meant to offend, but he still apologized for his poor choice of words.

   As for kneeling for the National Anthem, though, the idea changes a little. While many see kneeling as disrespectful, those who kneel may not want to offend but may also feel avoiding offense is less important than protesting police brutality. So be it. Maybe one day people will take time to check the police side of the story. Maybe not. Just remember: cops don’t need to take a knee to show they care. They take other things with far less publicity. They take dangerous calls. They take risks. Sometimes they take bullets.

   Criminals make life difficult and dangerous for decent people in any ethnic area. That’s the truth. It’s also true that many if not most people in high-crime areas, regardless of ethnicity, want proactive police work. A survey of 911 calls to high-crime areas, whether for crime or quality-of-life issues, can prove this truth. People call because they want you. If they didn’t want you, they wouldn’t call. That’s the truth, no matter what any celebrities, politicians, or others who have never faced the danger you have may say to the contrary. Do your best work, and remember that decent people do care and that truth does prevail.

   Speaking of truth, here’s a verse to hang up in your locker: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” (Colossians 3:23) “Whatsoever” includes police work. Whatever the task on this job, do it as if Jesus Himself were your boss. Finally, if you want to see how to have a home in heaven, please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links,” then “How Do I Go to Heaven?”

Brian Miller 10/6/2020

Cleveland Baptist Church 4431 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144 216/671-2822