04/25/2021
IT’S REALLY JUST THIS SIMPLE...
Each and every day I am reminded of just how blessed we are to serve as law enforcement officers in Brevard County, but as I watch what is taking place across the rest of our country I have grown sick and tired of hearing about how bad cops are, how cops need to be social workers and how cops need more training and reform!!
Well let’s be honest, throughout our entire lives we are taught to follow the law, to not steal, to not rob, to not assault, to not murder, and to not resist arrest, but somehow, all of a sudden it’s not the fault of those who disregard the law, it’s the cops fault!!
As President Ronald Reagan once said... “We must reject the idea that every time a law is broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.”
Folks, 99% of law enforcement officers do it right day in and day out as they proudly serve their communities with honor, integrity, and professionalism. And when one doesn’t do it right, they are held accountable, just like Derek Chauvin who single-handedly tarnished the badge of many thousands of honorable law enforcement officers across our great nation!!
I promise you that every profession has a small percentage of members who damage the reputation of the others who overwhelmingly do it right. When Aaron Hernandez of the New England Patriots murdered, it didn’t mean that all of his teammates were murderers as well, even though they all wore the same uniform. When a doctor commits malpractice during surgery and takes a patient’s life, it doesn’t mean that everyone who wears a white coat is a bad doctor. And when Michael Vick of the Atlanta Falcons tortured and killed dogs in a dog fighting ring, it didn’t mean that all of the Atlanta Falcons were cruel to animals, yet somehow when a single cop violates their oath, all who wear the badge and uniform are targeted.
That’s absurd and it’s time we as a nation stop caving to political correctness and just tell it like it is!! Just like you, I never want to see anyone get hurt so it’s time for parents and communities to teach their kids that if you break the law you go to jail!! Those that resist arrest, refuse to comply with lawful orders, or harm others, to include law enforcement officers, place everyone at risk, including themselves!!
Law enforcement officers are your neighbors, they shop at the same stores, their children go to the same schools, they attend the same churches in their communities and they care deeply for the same things all of our citizens care for!!
So like I said, it’s really just this simple... Follow the laws, don’t resist arrest and stop when given a lawful order!! The Courthouse was built to seek justice and plead your case, not the side of the road or the parking lot!!
Sheriff Wayne Ivey
