When did law enforcement become so depressing?

Even the kindest stories get brought down by internet trolls these days.

October 14, 2016 04:52 AM •

By Melissa Littles

I must be getting really old and morphing into my mother, but I find myself shaking my head at so much of what I see, hear and read about every day.

I’ve caught myself saying things like “remember when we were kids?” As if all innocence on earth has been lost. I’m having those moments where I think it might be better to avoid the news and newsfeeds altogether. Even the most positive and uplifting stories are met with droves of Debbie Downers who seem to always be waiting in the wings to pick anything and everything apart.

I was thrilled to read the story of Asia Ford – an inspiring woman on a mission to regain her health– running in the Rodes City Run held in Louisville, Kentucky. Ms. Ford, who lost a tremendous amount of weight on her journey back to health, began struggling around mile four of the 10K race. That’s when Louisville Metro police officer Lt. Aubrey Gregory rolled up beside her. He held her hand, encouraged her, and stayed with her until the finish line.

Boom! Faith in humanity restored!

Until, you read the comments. The comments made this act of kindness into something about race, not a race. It was depicted as a media stunt to make officers look good. It was all about an officer wanting his fifteen minutes of fame. Well, of course. Another feel good moment shredded by the vultures of negativity.

Oh, but we won’t call it being negative or tearing anyone down. We’ll call it freedom of speech and the right to one’s opinion. That is what it is, actually. And thank God we live in a country where we have that right.

However, when the hell did everyone become so damn miserable?

I remember back in the day (there, I did it again) when my husband was actually excited to get out on the streets. Maybe his shift would be a total bore, or maybe, just maybe, that would be the day he got there in time to make a difference, and that’s what it was all about.

I’ve worked in law my entire career. For those like me, there are defining career moments: Getting a corner office with a window, the thrill of adding “Senior” before your title, the big win with the huge bonus and the round of drinks and kudos from your peers.

Through the years I’ve listened to my husband and what I perceive as his defining moments are so much deeper: Comforting a child with a teddy bear from his trunk after he had to remove the child from the only home they’ve ever known. Taking a teen through a drive-thru for a meal and talking to them like a father would...except this teen happened to be in the back of his unit. Walking away from a hostage negotiation knowing his words made someone think today isn’t the day they’d give up on life.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen that glimmer of anticipation when my husband heads out. It all seems overshadowed by a world ready to pick him apart and those who would wish him dead, simply for the brass on his chest. Even worse, there’s the dark cloud of politics and poor morale and wondering who really has your back amongst your own. I never thought I would hear my husband discuss retirement at 20 years in. Selfishly, it was a relief to hear it, but just for a moment until the reality of what that really meant hit me. I always thought, God just let him make it so he can walk away knowing he did what he set out to do and feel accomplished in what difference he was able to make. Now, I worry he might walk away just glad to be out. Honestly, that saddens me for him. I hope I’m wrong.

My husband tells me all the time he never became a cop for glory or recognition or to feel like he had power over anyone else. He tells me to ignore the negatives. He’ll tell you he doesn’t care who likes him or hates him, it’s not about all that. He became a cop to help others. I have no doubt in the past seventeen years he’s left someone with a memory of that cop who was there that day to help. Perhaps it’s because I see the man behind the badge that I feel so saddened by all the negativity towards law enforcement in general. Perhaps it’s because I see a man who would do anything for anyone before himself.

I know we all have choices in life. We can choose to let negativity get to us and affect our lives, or we can let it all roll off our backs. I suppose it’s a bit harder when the negativity starts advocating violence against those we care about. All the more reason to remind ourselves of the positives. We’re all responsible for the legacy we leave, positive or negative. There are no do-overs in life.

Uniform Stories Staff

Uniform Stories features a variety of contributors. These sources are experts and educators within their profession. Uniform Stories covers an array of subjects like field stories, entertaining anecdotes, and expert opinions.