06/06/2019
With the expectation of being perfect emotionless robots, the American police officer has become a master at hiding.
The stresses that our civil servants internalize have resulted in marital problems, spousal abuse, alcoholism, chemical dependency and even su***de.
Today, after 38 years of decorated service, NYPD Chief Steven Silks took his own life just days from his retirement.
If you are a member of the service and find yourself at a breaking point, PLEASE reach out for help. In a profession that has over 800,000 sworn members, there is no problem that someone else hasn’t experienced. You are NEVER alone.
If you have a loved one who wears a shield, encourage them to the point of annoying them to be open with you. Every police officer needs to know that, using Sheriff Clarke’s words: “excellence” is expected, not “perfection”.
The more we unjustly penalize our police officers for the most mundane errors, the more likely they are to internalize. The body and the mind can only bear so much. We ALL have a breaking point.
For those in need, COPLine is a friend of BBO and is confidential. Even if you can’t talk to the ones around you, on behalf of those who love you and need you, please reach out.
Our thoughts are with the NYPD family.
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https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/ny-officer-shot-queens-20190605-jm2gxhivazempgbfnww622j5dm-story.html%3foutputType=amp