Editor’s Note: The views in this article do not necessarily reflect those of The American Legion or The American Legion Department of California.
The current hatred towards everything that our traditional law enforcement stands for is being expressed daily through the so called “peaceful” demonstrations.
The incessant condemnations and vicious attacks upon those who have sworn to defend the values of our constitution by the rioters have managed to engulf our entire country. Night after night, we are forced to witness felonious assaults on law enforcement officers by rioters with the intent to cause serious and permanent bodily harm along with the rampant and wanton destruction of properties.
It is very unfortunate that some of our local officials have chosen the ill conceived non-confrontational approach with these rioters by disallowing the law enforcement officers to utilize the proven effective crowd control tactics in hope of pacifying the rioters’ destructive behaviors. In situations where some of these very destructive rioters were arrested, they were released almost immediately to rejoin their fellow rioters and continued to cause harm.
The end result of these ineffective appeasement tactics have served to embolden the rioters and we now have a much more difficult conundrum to deal with. Many of us citizens have inadvertently caved into thinking that even our physical wellbeing are no longer secured due to our exposure to the continual intimidation tactics deployed by the radical elements.
The American Legion recognized from its inception that national security is a vital element to our nation’s survival, and thus, designated it as one of the four pillars. The Legion axiomatically supports the concept that our military should always be the best in the world in order to protect our citizens from any foreign adversaries.
Here at home, the Legion recognizes the important role of our first responders to lend us protection against all domestic adversaries. When members of the Legion witnessed the current waves of anti law enforcement attacks under the misguided accusation that all law enforcement agencies are systemically racist, we must speak up to defend the very pillar that has kept us safe for all these years.
Are there racists in the ranks of law enforcement? The answer is absolutely yes, but they are the few and with certainty, not the predominate representatives of law enforcement.
Efforts to detect and eradicate these cancer cells from within the umbrella of law enforcement must be vigorous and ongoing. We support holding all law enforcement officers accountable for their actions with alacrity, and when they acted outside the scope of what is permissible by law, they must face and answer to the same justice system that they have sworn to uphold.
The First Amendment of our Constitution grants us all the right of freedom of speech, and we should all cherish and support the legitimate right of those genuine peaceful protesters who came to express their opinions no matter what that opinion may be, and they may do so in a rambunctious manner providing their action do not inhibit anybody else’s right.
In order to maintain a civil society, laws and those charged with enforcing those laws must be subjected to oversight with persnickety manner. However, politicians must take heed; he/she does not, should not, and must not sacrifice the livelihood of those who enforce the laws by throwing them to the wolves.
We have witnessed several cases where prosecutors (politicians) over charged the officers in their attempt to placate the mob. Most of these cases ended up in acquittals but the lives of the officers charged are usually ruined.
We need to take back our cities and streets. We must begin by not even dignifying the thought of “defunding” the police. Politicians must not flame the hate by labeling the police as “enemies”.
These ongoing nightly riots must be stopped even if it means calling in the National Guards in great numbers. Since many of the local prosecutors would not charge these rioters, federal statutes must be looked upon as an option for prosecution.
As someone who has dealt with demonstrations and riots for almost 30 years, first as a line officer, then as a supervisor, and later as an instructor for crowd/riot control for the San Francisco Police Department, I can say unequivocally that appeasement of the mob or any hesitancy to enforce the laws will only accentuate the appearance of weakness, a weakness that the mob would gladly be taking advantage of.
Most important of all, our law enforcement officers should not be the subject of hate. We must let them know that the overwhelming citizens of our country are in support of them and appreciate their service.
Author: Nelson Lum
Nelson Lum is commander of District 8, a Vietnam-era veteran, a member of the 101st Airborne Division, a retired member of the San Francisco Police Department, and a Legion member since 2005.
