Dear Neighbors,
Our country has recently watched as police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge were targeted by individuals who were unhappy with the police, or perhaps the government in general. This anger has regrettably spilled over into the political arena, as we’ve seen way too much divisive rhetoric toward one another, especially as it comes to the campaigns happening on the federal level. As a police officer who is likely working the streets while you read this I would like to let you know what is going through my mind.
Your local law enforcement is truly the last defense we have between complete lawlessness and enough peace of mind to walk the streets, yet in some communities we know that peace of mind doesn’t exist and hasn’t for a long time. We recognize as law enforcement officers we are the most visible and most accessible representative of any government. We’re there 24 hours a day and if you call we come to you. When someone is upset about a bank repossessing their property, they are mad at the police. When someone assaults another person and the police are called, we regularly take the brunt of the anger from the suspect when we arrive on scene. Our economy is in pretty good shape for most, but not for all. And when a region of our state or neighborhoods in our cities feel left behind it can be the police who take the brunt of the anger.
Many times those police officers are upset and have family hurting for the same reasons. But they were hired to do a particular job and almost all do it with great professionalism, as rightly expected. Yet when those few don’t perform with the professionalism and neutrality we expect all officers suffer the consequences along with the public who entrusts them.
When we are involved in a deadly situation we expect families to be upset with us. These events are emotionally charged and we can never discount the pain of someone losing a loved one however it happens.
I haven’t commented greatly on this issue recently because it feels like were at a point where we are driving each other further apart. The words people are saying may not necessarily be articulated in the best manner, and this can easily lead to misunderstandings. As an elected official I am very cautious with my words. I believe I have a duty to demonstrate impartiality about an investigation as I do in my capacity as a police officer until I have all the information I need to make an informed decision. Personally, I have no desire to push us further apart because frankly, it makes my job less safe. As most of you know I am a father of two children ages 7 and 10, and I deserve to go home to them at the end of the night. To any of you perpetuating violence against law enforcement or your neighbors: shame on you.
I am committed to representing my state and community to improve relations with law enforcement all over the state. I won’t dig in my heels and say everything is just fine. It’s clearly not, and many members of our communities feel like they haven’t been heard. I appreciate the efforts by so many to show support for each other as we try to encourage healing and build trust.
I can’t begin to express the outpouring of support in the communities I represent and in Cottage Grove where I work. Every night this week there have been hundreds of people on the 80th St. bridge over Highway 61 holding a vigil for law enforcement officers. The organizers have been meeting in the old Home Depot parking lot and walking to the bridge. They have been very clear they want to be respectful of everyone and the effort is to honor the fallen police officers and our own law enforcement officers, and not protest any another group. Words can’t express how humbling it is to see.
As we move forward we owe it to everyone to be willing to listen to each other. As elected officials our number one ability is to formulate new policy or demonstrate why current policy is OK. Right now it appears we see each other as screaming. There are so many who are behind the scenes trying to work together with police and the communities to make things better. I have some ideas of what I think may be reasonable things for us to talk about, and I hope you’ll bring some things to the table as well. If you have an idea please let me know.
I recognize my profession has many facets which aren’t known to or understood by most of the public. We need to do a better job of explaining why we do what we do as well. In order for understanding though, we also need people to listen when we explain. Dialog must come from multiple directions, and through an effort to have genuine conversations, we can get to a place where we can not only rebuild relationships with one another, but enact solutions to stop this violence and have safe communities in every corner of the state.
Sincerely,
Dan Schoen
State Representative