Lollipop cop to the rescue: Make community policing out #1 priority

For the last few years, law enforcement in this country has seen some major changes with policies and procedures. Some of these changes were long overdue, and police officers have made major strides to build a stronger bond within the community. We all know that some bad police officers will get through the background investigation and be hired by an agency. Unfortunately, one bad police officer can ruin the reputation of a department and sometimes the entire nation. We can no longer allow “bad apples” in our profession and need to aggressively run them out. The news and media outlets can’t wait for something negative to happen to law enforcement. Sometimes they don’t wait and make up a story that will never be disproved.

Today, our brothers and sisters in Blue have a lot to deal with. Some are retiring early and others are just going through the motions. It’s sad the silent majority doesn’t seem to care about what happens to police officers. However, we need to stand together and do whatever possible to keep our profession strong and build on regaining the trust of the people who rely on us every day.

Before retiring, my department spearheaded a community policing initiative that was designed to provide for local youth in town. Here are some pictures of Lollipop doing the great things they do. We hosted a meeting and got all the leaders from the police, fire, schools and various other community groups together. After the meeting we formed a coalition and agreed to have free quarterly community events. This coalition’s goal was to work together on all community projects and help each other throughout the year. This group did some great things together and built a strong bond within the police and the community.

Personally, I feel community policing needs to become a priority in modern-day policing. Police officers desperately need to be able to work with community leaders and have the full support of the public again. Obviously, this isn’t an easy task and some police officers will probably resist this. Our brothers and sisters in Blue need to understand that if we don’t make changes within the community then our profession will go through some harder times. Current training is boring, and most officers just can’t wait to sign off on it so they can go back to duty. We need more realistic hands-on training that involves real-life situations and relevant speakers that can make a positive difference in officer’s lives.

If we don’t attempt to bridge the gap between the police and community, things will only deteriorate more and the police will no longer be the respected profession it once was as in the past. I really wish things were different and people saw us as the “sheepdog” who is the first to put our life on the line; but they are not any longer and we need to continue to do whatever it takes to protect our communities moving forward.

Michael D. Boll is a retired police sergeant in NJ. He previously served as a United States Marine and is a Gulf War veteran. He is the founder of Operation Rebound Racing Team, a nonprofit organization that helps wounded veterans and first responders enjoy a better quality of life.