Aug. 2, 2010 issue
Police want to help
By Debra Bender Cape Coral, Fla.Celeste Kennel-Shank’s “Pacifists and Police” begs a response. Having lived in Chicago for more than 30 years and being married to a Chicago police officer gave me experiences and a view probably not commonly held by Mennonites.
I learned that more than 75 percent of police officers go into the profession because of their desire to help people — kind of like Mennonite Central Committee workers and missionaries. Every Chicago police officer who was a friend of ours or with whom my husband, Cliff, worked had a heart the size of Texas, a sense of humor that never quit and a soft spot for damsels in distress.
Cliff said anyone who answered a call thinking the problem could be resolved with force had no business being on the Department. I often thought he was more a pacifist than I. His attitude was, “He who polices less, polices best.” In 32 years he drew his gun twice.
Bad apples make good news stories. Are there boneheads on the force? Of course. But cops who go to work every day and do their jobs aren’t newsworthy. Thousands of them do that every day, year after year, with no recognition or gratitude from the public they are sworn to protect.
My parents never called the police, but I would not have wanted to live in Chicago, or even Cape Coral, without that option.
Comment on the article Police want to help
The purpose of comments is to engage in dialogue. We expect commenters to treat authors and each other as each would want to be treated. Respectful criticism is welcomed; offensive comments or parts of comments will be removed by the site administrator. Name and comment will be posted; email address is for follow-up only and will not be made public.
Download
Download a free PDF showing the populations of
Mennonite groups and other Anabaptists.
