A guest contributor’s article to Law Enforcement Today’s online magazine caught my attention. It was entitled, “The broken badge, the broken mind: Law enforcement’s silent crisis”[1] by Derek Stephens. Mr. Stephens described his shortened career as a law enforcement officer (LEO) and noted, “We equip officers to survive the battles on the streets but leave them ill-prepared to survive the battles within.” He continued, “My career ended abruptly, not with a bang, but with a whimper. Forced into medical retirement due to physical line-of-duty injuries, I lost not just my job, but my identity, my purpose.”
The former LEO said that when his career ended, he lost three things: his job, his identity, and his purpose. Unless they die while serving, all LEOs will face the day when they turn in their badge and hang up their gun. So, will all officers lose not only their job, but their identity and purpose?
My time as a San Antonio police officer was my dream job. I loved it. Although challenging, frustrating, and sometimes frightening, it was satisfying, exciting, and sometimes thrilling. Early on, a veteran officer made a cynical quip that stuck with me throughout my 24-year career. He said, “Remember, you’re just a number to the city. When you’re gone, they’ll issue your number to someone else. Unless, of course, you get killed, then they’ll retire it.” I’d be lying if I said his words didn’t hurt. But as I thought about them, I realized they were true. Policing is a job. Yes, I know it’s more than a job. It’s a career or a profession, some even say it’s a calling. And I know law enforcement is both important and necessary in a free society. But when all is said and done, it paid the bills, provided insurance, and a retirement plan—it was a job, not my identity. I wouldn’t allow it to be.
Wise mentors reminded me policing is what I do, it’s not who I am. But LEOs aren’t the only ones who struggle with their identity and purpose. One of the first things we do when we meet someone is find out their occupation. Occupations allow us to categorize one another. We believe it provides understanding. Throughout life, everyone wears a variety of hats, and always several at the same time. My wife wanted a husband, not a cop. My kids wanted a dad. My parents wanted a son. The Little League team wanted a coach. The professor wanted a student. So, what is my identity? A husband, dad, son, coach, student, or cop?
As a Christian, my identity is in Christ. The things of this world, good and bad, will fade away. But I will forever be God’s child, and so too will all who receive Christ as Savior.[2] We are God’s image bearers and God is our only hope and salvation. The great warrior David wrote, “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God” (Ps. 62:5-7, ESV). The skilled warrior and famous king found his refuge in God. Not his occupation.
Being God’s child is also where I find purpose. As a father, I was (and am) ever so proud of my children when their conduct honors the family name. As a child of God that is our purpose, to bring glory and honor to our heavenly Father’s name. Being on the backend of life, I can attest, as both my father and grandfather said, “Life is short.” It is, at least life on this earth is short. Where is your identity?
Bringing Hope to Law Enforcement
The Strong Blue Line Foundation—at no cost to officers or their agencies—brings hope to LEOs with training seminars that help them navigate a myriad of issues they deal with. One way we do this is by training chaplains. In the “Winning is More than Surviving” seminar and book, chaplains learn how to serve and minister to law enforcement officers by helping them understand the issues they deal with, their responses, and where they can find real hope. Please partner with us to make strong officers with strong relationships by giving them real hope for complete victory! To help, go to TheStrongBlueLine.org and click on the “Donate” button.
On the Road
At the end of April, Sherry and I were in Watertown, South Dakota for an International Conference of Police Chaplains training seminar. Chaplain Kevin Norton invited me to present both the “Winning a Gunfight” and the “Moral Injury in Policing” seminar. Both seminars were very well received, and they are talking about inviting us back next year to their training in Des Moines, IA. Next month, we’ll be at The Ranch Ministries in Pierre, SD to assist with a Junior ROTC group of high schoolers from Minneapolis, MN. Some of these young folks are considering a career in law enforcement. Pray for your police.
[1] https://lawenforcementtoday.com/the-broken-badge-the-broken-mind-law-enforcements-silent-crisis
[2] John 1:12 (ESV)
