Dreaming Blue

What do those of us who once felt strongly called to become a police officer and then serve their communities for decades dream about? I think we dream blue. We dream about what could be and how it is a dream for us.

Many of you know, I served over thirty years in various municipal police roles in three cities, small, medium, and large. What I dream about policing hasn’t become a reality yet. I sometimes wonder if it ever will be? And who shares my dream? It is a dream of justice, respect, fairness… it is a dream effective dispute settlement, protection of those vulnerable, helping communities thrive, and peacekeeping. I think it is the same dream that can be found in Plato’s Republic centuries ago; the creation of a just city, a city and its people courageous, just, and wise. It is also a city led by Guardians, who will “be philosophic, spirited, swift, and strong.” 

We are talking about a leader’s personal character and modelling behavior which enhances the city and its people. For us today it would require that our Guardians (police) be models of how we wish our government to act. It is, as I have said many times before, that police in our towns, villages, and cities become our “social glue,” holding citizens together by their fair and just behavior. Yes, in a diverse, expansive, and democratic society, it is difficult to achieve, but not impossible. I think it is a dream our nation’s Founders had.

I was recently asked what the federal government should do to help this dream become a reality.

First of all, our nation needs to have a four-year national police college that trains future leaders like West Point and Annapolis does for our military; a place where character, honor, and duty are grown and fostered. 

Next, we need to have national standards, training, and licensing requirements for any person who has powers of arrest. Freedom is one of our founding values and highly important to all Americans. Therefore, those who have the authority to arrest and detain us (and use physical force doing it), should be carefully selected, highly trained, and licensed. We expect a high level of competency for those who practice medicine regardless of what city or state in which they practice. We should expect the same from those who enforce our laws. 

If we expect a high ability and competency from those who perform healthcare, we should expect the same from those who may have to arrest us or a loved one. 

Finally, annual refresher training requirements for all persons with arrest powers like continuing education requirements (CEU’s) for other professional groups (teachers, nurses, engineers, mental health providers, etc). This is for their personnel and skill development and should especially be required for those who have the authority to put their restrain another person and prevent their escape by force – including, if necessary, deadly force.

Most of us in America know that, at one time or another, we will need some kind of medical help. But not so when it comes to police. Most of us (at least those of us who are white) do not think much about being arrested by police. But shouldn’t we? Shouldn’t we all be our brother’s and sister’s keepers? Shouldn’t we be concerned about what happens to others in our society?

So, my argument is, as citizens of our great nation, to hold a duty to care for those who are most vulnerable in our society. It is why we have social security, and why our government is concerned about the quality of our drinking water, safety on our nation’s highways, and food and workplace protections.

It’s all about the quality of our life in America. How police function in our nation is a major part of that quality.

In the meantime, I’ll keep dreaming blue…