Spank That Donkey

 May 14th thru May 20th marks National Police Week in the USA. It is only fitting we remember the Fairfax, VA police detective Vicky O. Armel who was killed last week by a mentally disturbed teenager.  She also had partners injured in the melee.  Yesterday's WaPo article points out this:

I have spent the past three years investigating our national mental health system as a reporter. What I found is that police officers such as Detective Armel -- not doctors and therapists -- are now on the front lines when it comes to dealing with those who have mental disorders. Our mental health system is so deeply flawed that it is extremely difficult for people who are ill to get help. Instead they are being arrested for crimes they commit while they are psychotic. This is why jails and prisons have become our new asylums.

My father was a police officer for twenty years between the Washington DC and Chesapeake Beach MD police Departments, and I know first hand that Dad's role in the community was that of  "peacemaker" and Law Enforcement.  Many people only look at police as the "givers of speeding tickets", and all things bad that can shallowly impact your life, but Police Officers deal directly with the people, many of whom you, as the average citizen wish never to encounter.

Policing is hard work, and their should be more recognition in the community of their efforts.  You have always heard that police tend to date nurses.  There is a reason for that, they spend a lot of time down at the hospital.. car wrecks, victims of abuse, drug addicts carried off to the hospitals.  It is something to consider the next time you are pulled over and getting a ticket, and the attitude you should display towards the particular Law Enforcement officer you are presented with.

In case you did not know May 15th is National Peace Officers Mememorial Day, and flags should be flown at half mast. To learn more good stuff about Law Enforcement visit here National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.