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Amidst increasing crime rates, gun violence, and widespread protests against police brutality over the past few years, police officers across the nation have faced unprecedented challenges. It is in this context that National Police Week holds particular significance, as it provides an opportunity to honor the men and women who risk their lives every day.
Straight Arrow News contributor Star Parker argues crime is up and police morale is down in cities led by liberals. She asks for renewed support for those who work in law enforcement before we lose more to retirement and resignation.
Every year, in the month of May, our nation holds a National Police Week to honor the police officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. As we observe National Police Week this year, it is important to reflect on the current state of law enforcement in our country.
While our police officers work tirelessly to keep our communities safe, far too many progressives work tirelessly to tear down our police officers. And these past few years have no doubt been especially demanding for law enforcement officers.
That’s saying something because being a law enforcement officer is already one of the most demanding and dangerous roles our society has to offer.
Police officers have faced mounting national scrutiny as calls to “defund the police” continue. The declining morale of police officers has been reflected in the growing number of police officers leaving the workforce or early retirement. According to data from the Police Executive Research Forum, retirements among police officers increased by 45% between April 2020 and April 2021. Resignations increased by 20%. Seattle has lost more than a quarter of its police force in the past two and a half years. This led to the Seattle Mayor declaring last July that “the police department could no longer promptly and effectively provide essential services.” Imagine being a police officer working in an understaffed department.
And as you become more and more overworked in a job that’s life or death, you’re demonized more and more everywhere you look. And then, while understaffed, you notice a sharp increase somewhere else: in crime. Far too many cities serve as tragic examples and it’s not shocking these cities are led by liberals.
