This post is a bit of a deviation from my norm. Not directly about parenting, marriage, personal development, or health. Yet I believe it’s a subject that will very definitely impact our families and communities. I want to challenge you to show some extraordinary support to our police—the men and women in blue.

Courtesy 123RF/Danny Kosmayer

We’ve had a bad run of news lately. Outrageous acts of violence throughout communities in our country. Accusations of police brutality—some unfortunately valid; others proven false.

These are understandably emotionally charged issues. But when our police are being assassinated, things have taken an equally tragic and indefensible turn for the worse culturally.

A Dangerous Overreaction

Every profession has bad representatives. Yet it’s ridiculous to judge any group because of one or a few. One or a few bad apples don’t spoil the whole bunch.

There have been and will be grave mistakes and abuses of power—that’s the result of imperfect people. But it only makes matters worse if we lose our general respect for those in authority.

I don’t like any abuse of power. But we are a nation of law and order. It’s not a perfect system yet I do trust that justice usually prevails.

A Better Response

I know many great men and women who wear the blue. People like you and me. Committed to their families. And admirably, they’ve chosen to put their lives on the line to serve and protect. They’ve got a tough job and I guarantee you, they don’t get enough support and encouragement.

So much of what’s in the news is geographically far from me. Yet I feel the tension growing. And although I’m not in a position to directly impact any specific tragedy or those directly affected, I’ve felt the need to do something positive. To be a shock absorber if at all possible, even in a small way.

It happened over a week ago when I was driving my scooter. I met a squad car coming the other way. And I automatically gave the office a wave and a thumbs up.

It took me by surprise. But in a great way.

The next day on my morning walk, another squad car passed me. I gave an even more confident and enthusiastic thumbs up.

Now I’m actively looking for any law enforcement officer to show some visible sign of support. I’ve determined that when I see any man or woman in blue in person, I going to personally thank them and shake their hand if at all possible.

Simple Acts—Huge Potential

We can make a difference in our communities and encourage those who have pledged to serve and protect by simple signs of support.

I not saying we should turn a blind eye or a deaf ear to injustices. Let’s join our voices to demand due process of law. Let’s join with the majority of those in law enforcement who also want justice.

Those who have suffered wrongly deserve our support and the hope of justice. And those in blue can also desperately use a demonstration of widespread support as they work towards justice for all.

Will you join me in looking for opportunities to encourage our police in some way? They can use it. And our small demonstrations of support may prove to be contagious and help turn the tide of unhealthy overreaction.