In a recent talk, “I Was Only Following Orders: The Line Between Duty and Conscience,” I challenged the dangerous notion that blind obedience absolves us of moral responsibility.
Drawing on my life’s work as a veteran, former police chief, and pastor, I argue that conscience is not a professional privilege—it is a universal civic obligation.
We are not mere vassals of a leader; we are moral actors sworn to the Constitution. From the lessons of Nuremberg and My Lai to modern concerns like “Operation Southern Spear,” it is clear that we have a legal and moral duty to refuse manifestly unlawful orders.
Whether we wear a uniform or not, military, legal, and spiritual codes all converge on a single, vital point: we are each accountable for our own actions.
Integrity requires courage, and it is a fundamental act of patriotism to put the Constitution above convenience.
You can watch my full talk I gave in Mauston, Wisconsin on July 15, 2026 on YouTube.
A complete transcript is also available on the video’s site for further reading.
Improving Police: A Necessary Conversation 