Dear Police Officers, I’m Sorry About America

By Kyle S. Reyes | July 13, 2017, 11:50 EDT

Last week, I was at the grocery store.  I watched as a little kid … no older than 5 or 6 … randomly punched another little kid who was just walking by.

The parent was mortified and extremely apologetic to the other mother.

“I’m so sorry,” she said.  “I don’t know what’s wrong with my child sometimes.”

Yeah, that.  That’s exactly how I feel about my fellow Americans.

So today, I want to offer an apology to police officers across the country.

I’m sorry that putting on that uniform and being a protector has somehow apparently turned you into a bad guy.

I’m sorry that after pulling people over for driving like idiots, you now have to address them AND the Facebook Live they’ve decided to broadcast you on.

I’m sorry about the disrespect.  I remember when parents taught kids to respect the law.  Then again, I remember when kids respected their parents as well.

I remember when wearing a badge made you admired.  Now it makes you a target.  I’m sorry.

I’m so sorry that you once were able to go into work and only have to worry about going home safe to your family … and now you have to worry that people will attack your families while you’re at work.

I’m sorry that social media now convicts you in the court of public opinion for simply doing your job, thanks to a seven-second cell phone clip that’s taken out of context and then replayed millions of times over in the media.

I’m sorry that you have to — even for a second — consider the implications of having to respond quickly and decisively, knowing that even saving a life could mean your career is over.

Internet trolls, keyboard warriors and self-proclaimed SJWs will use this article to talk about how terrible you are.  For that, I’m sorry.  You don’t deserve that.

I’m sorry that people talk about the American flag as a symbol of oppression, and I’m sorry that it’s not acceptable for you to publicly tell those people to kiss your American butt. 

I’m sorry that you have to watch your fellow brothers and sisters take their own lives because of the stress and anxiety of the job … only to see people spit on their graves. 

You have bureaucrats who have never stepped foot on your beat now telling you how to do your job and cutting your pay and your benefits and your resources so we can instead use that money for entitlement programs for people who don’t want to work for a living that you spend every day trying to save from themselves.  I’m so sorry.

I’m sorry that you have idiots like the Governor of Connecticut who thank you for your service by cutting your jobs because he’s more concerned about giving raises to his friends then trying to actually balance a budget and keep the state safe.

I’m ashamed that we have people like the Mayor of New York who are more concerned with protesting President Donald Trump than he is concerned about honoring a murdered officer.  I’m sick about it and I’m so sorry.

Everyone has an opinion over how you should do your job.  How you should respond in a life-or-death situation.  How you should or shouldn’t respond to a guy high on PCP beating his wife, a maniac wielding a knife, or a threat to other Americans.  Thanks for your opinions, people.  Perhaps keep them to yourselves and focus on finishing up that green tea latte and getting back to the classifieds.  Officers — I’m sorry about them.

I’m sorry that you’re used as pawns … play pieces that can balance budgets and receive accolades when the lawmakers who use you need some positive PR from the media.

I’m sorry that you’re attacked for not being able to solve cold cases by the same people who, when being interviewed, will tell you “I didn’t see nothin’.”  Why?  Because it’s not cool to “be a snitch” — even when you can save the life of children or friends or family.  But, you know, screw the police.

I’m sorry that when my agency announced we were donating $500,000 in services to police officers to tell the stories behind the badges, we were attacked for supporting “pigs and killers.” I’m sorry that when people show their faith in you and their appreciation for you that it somehow brings out the worst in people.

I’m sorry that when you’re wearing your uniform and walk past a kid, that kid’s mom or dad will tell their child “watch out or that cop will arrest you.” I’m sorry they create such fear that their child will run into the arms of a child molester or a murderer instead of a protector in blue.  And I’m sorry that the parents are so focused teaching hate that they forget to teach their child the difference between right and wrong.

I’m sorry that you’re going to hesitate for even a second before sharing this article because you’re concerned about what people will think about you.

Dear officers, I’m sorry about America.  I pray for the safety of you and your families.  But I’m not the only one.

You are the protectors … but there are many of us who are very quietly your protectors.  We’ve got your six, blue.

I humbly ask every American – servant or civilian – who stands behind those who protect The Thin Blue Line to please “share” this article as a sign of support.

Kyle S. Reyes is President and CEO of The Silent Partner Marketing. He’s also an acclaimed keynote speaker on entrepreneurship, leadership, marketing and social media. You can follow him on Facebook.