Becoming is Police Officer is not as simple as just deciding to become one.  The men and women we see patrolling our streets and roads are ones that have taken and passed specific examinations in order to be accepted into the Force.

They have had to attain required levels of moral and physical fitness, including tests of agility, strength, vision and hearing. 

Their academic achievement level must be of a high standard and they must pass background checks eliminating them from illegal activities such as drug and traffic offences. 

I have organized a Police Appreciation morning in the region I live for the last six years, purely and simply because I believe that by undergirding our Police with prayer and encouragement, we are undergirding the Frontlines of our Community.

When you consider the crimes that happen in our societies that we DO NOT see, you realise that our Police act as a barrier, on our behalf, so that we can go peacefully about our daily lives without encountering evil.   We only have to look at nations that have corrupt or weakened Police Forces to know that this is true.

Our Police are individuals who have made the decision to “stand apart for us.”

They can mix and have fun with friends and neighbours, but they are bound by lines drawn in the sand that separates them from everyday man.  They carry responsibilities that require them to be more vigilant in guarding their tongues, in minding an opinion or venting their anger.  They cannot be involved in conversations about pirating dvds, suspect items for sale or speeding.

They are often more private about their work and feel a need to be protective of their families, especially in the light of stereotypes that depict ‘coppers’ as ones who hide behind billboards to catch you speeding or itching to find you talking on  your mobile while driving or as all corrupt. 

For some strange reason, that can only be detrimental to our own welfare, we allow our officers to be demeaned and defamed despite their vital service.  We expect them to be bulletproof by thinking we can revile and ridicule them without our remarks hurting or wounding them.  Or to be superheroes, dodging arrows of accusation and land mines of corruption charges from a society that makes every excuse for its own humanity whilst not allowing people like the Police to fail or fall short.

Personally I am glad that I am not on scene when an abused child needs rescuing; when a suicidal teen is found dead; when crash victims need extracting from a wrecked vehicle; when a murder victim is found.

One of the key to the success of the Police Appreciation mornings is that the body of Christ in our region, not individual churches or organisations, stand up and say to our Officers:

“We are sorry for not speaking up when society ridicules or dishonours you,  or when legal systems fail you by offering short sentences to those you have fought to get off our streets….

 We thank you for keeping us safe.  Thank you for enabling us to sleep soundly at night.  Thank you for being ones that the ‘good’ feel safe with and that ‘perpetrators of evil’ fear (Romans 13:3) Thank you for shielding us from the ravages of evil and for being there for us at our most vulnerable moments.