A former sheriff urged Americans to support law enforcement without partisan division during Police Week, the author wrote in Magnolia Tribune. The column said the observance should honor fallen officers and remind the public of its responsibility to those who continue to serve.
The column said more than 840,000 law enforcement officers put on a uniform each day and face danger and uncertainty. It said departments are struggling to recruit and retain officers and that staffing levels remain below those of a few years ago, while “tens of thousands” of officers are assaulted each year.
The author cited recent data showing declines in violent crime nationwide and credited law enforcement professionals for helping to keep communities safe. The column said that progress should not be taken for granted.
To support officers, the former sheriff urged providing tools, training and resources; funding for equipment and personnel; stronger penalties for those who assault officers; and expanded access to mental health services for officers, the column said.
The column, titled “Supporting law enforcement shouldn’t be political,” appeared on Magnolia Tribune, where the author described those recommendations as common-sense steps that transcend party lines.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
