Parting Words

Over the years, poetry was a large part of my inner life. Recent years have found me sharing my deepest thoughts and feelings through this literary form.

It is now time (once again) as I enter my 85th year and six decades since I first became a police officer, to finally step back.

Within these 1500 posts (and in my book, “Arrested Development”) I have attempted to share what I have learned along the way.

My quarter-century as a chief of police taught me much. Primarily, in our free society, the important role of the community in policing and restraint in using force by to accomplish the police mission — to foster a community-wide feeling of peace, security, and trust in police.

Those of you who have followed this blog since 2011 know that I have, from time to time, tried to back away from writing and being an observer (and often critic) of American policing.

But then came Michael Brown and far too many other questionable deaths across our country at the hands of those who swore to “serve and protect” us.

But now it’s time. I’ve said what I deeply believed needed to be said and even attempted (without much success) to teach my philosophy of policing to young college students who claimed they, too, wished to serve.

Another important reason is that I have taken on the job of being an associate pastor to a new and exciting way to follow my faith in my own community. My time must now be focused on this responsibility and journey as I round out my given days.

But that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? A willingness to serve others? And when service yields to self, trouble always happens, and people get hurt.

Sayonara, adieu, so long, auf wiedersehen…

Goodbye
God be with
ye 
fitting that he
sign off
with a
poem
his growth
revealed
recon marine 
learned cop
budding priest and
pastor
passionate about
improvement 
especially the 
cops 
he loved
them
may
justice and
mercy reign
advocating
lifting up
challenging
a book
1500+ posts!
avoiding always
having to say
goodbye
to still
the
pen
once more he
tries to
utter those
bitter (yet
necessary)
parting words
listen
understand 
(please)
why
he felt
so
strong about
police
their great 
potential
promise
to do good
to make
right
to model
who and
what we
americans 
say
we 
are
be careful
out
there
really 
truly
actually
serve and
protect
people
all people
they matter
always 
always!
their lives
sacred
to be protected 
(yours too)
cared for
forget not
compassion
restraint 
goodbye
once
again
goodbye
goodbye
dear children
your generation
your responsibility.


p.s. I will not be monitoring this site on a regular basis. If you wish to comment on any of my posts or contact me, I 
suggest you email me at 

davidc6758@gmail.com