During my service in municipal government, our city set up a “Citizens’ Police Academy”. I went through it to gain a better understanding of our police officers’ experiences and challenges from the other side of the badge.

I never allowed my children to use the word “Cop” because we thought it was disrespectful. The reason we have government is to protect citizens and their life, liberty and property. Therefore, we need to have police officers establish, protect and reassure our civil stability.

The primary duty of a police officer is to maintain control. There are innocent people in Ferguson who need to be protected. However, the more lawless the citizens become, the more forceful the police are inclined to become. At the end of the day, we should all desire to have civility and peace in all of our cities.