Mohandas Gandhi quotes
Small town USA hired a new police chief. Paul walked into the station to find all the officers on duty drinking coffee, eating doughnuts and playing cards. After introducing himself to the officers he asked, "Who's out patrolling the streets?"
John spoke up, "We don't patrol anymore."
"You mean for the day?"
"No. I mean we don't patrol at all."
"You just wait for calls?"
"Not exactly. We gave up our radios and had the phones turned off."
"You are kidding me, right?"
"No. Have you seen how dangerous it is out there?"
"Yes I have. That's why you need to be out there. You are the police force."
"I really don't like the idea of putting my life on the line for a bunch of strangers."
Paul looked around at the out of shape group as a few of them nodded in agreement and a couple of them had nodded off to sleep. "Who decided this was how this place was going to operate?"
"The chief."
"The man I am replacing?"
"Yes. He was a good guy. He got us all raises, better insurance and a couple more vacation days. I'm not sure why they got rid of him. They really messed up."
Paul stood for a few minutes trying to absorb what he was seeing and hearing. He decided to call the mayor, "Where's my office?"
John jumped up, "I'll show you." He led Paul to a large room in the back of the station. He pushed open the door, "This is your office, where the real fun happens."
Paul saw the room was extremely large with a pool table and questionable pictures on the wall. "Are you kidding me?"
"No. Great huh?"
"No. This is not great. This is not what being a police officer is all about. We are supposed to be protecting people, saving lives, and making this town a better place, not focusing on our own wants all the time. We are supposed to be out there on the streets." Paul walked into the office and slammed the door behind him preventing John from following him inside. He paced, he shook his head, he called his wife. She always knew how to calm him. He then called the mayor. The mayor agreed to come down and called in every officer on the force to meet him at the station.
When they had all gathered Paul spoke, "You are law enforcement for this town and you will uphold the law. You are the good guy. You will be out there on the street spreading goodness and protection. Police officers take risks and suffer inconveniences to protect the lives, defend civil liberties, secure the safety of fellow citizens, and they endure such risks and tolerate such inconveniences on behalf of strangers. Consequently, police work is one of the more noble and selfless occupations in society. Making a difference in the quality of life is an opportunity that policing provides, and few other professions can offer." He handed out a copy of the law enforcement oath of honor. "You will each take this oath today."
After reading through his copy John asked, "What if we don't agree with this whole idea?"
"Then you have to ask yourself if you are truly a police officer. You have been given the tools, training, and uniform. Do you want the job? Will you make the sacrifices police officers make?"
John wouldn't look up at him, so Paul turned to the mayor, "I think it's time you tell them why the police chief was fired."
"Embezzlement. He was a criminal in a police officers uniform. A wolf in sheep's clothing."
Paul said, "Before you take this oath, I want to go over a few definitions.
Honor means that one's word is given as a guarantee.
Betray is defined as breaking faith with the public trust.
Badge is the symbol of your office.
Integrity is being the same person in both private and public life.
Character means the qualities that distinguish an individual.
Public trust is a charge of duty imposed in faith toward those you serve.
Courage is having the strength to withstand unethical pressure, fear or danger.
Accountability means that you are answerable and responsible to your oath of office.
Community is the jurisdiction and citizens served.
The oath of an officer
On my honor,
I will never betray my badge,
my integrity, my character,
or the public trust.
I will always have
the courage to hold myself
and others accountable for our actions.
I will always uphold the constitution
my community and the agency I serve.
By now you probably get it. The police force represents the church. Each officer represents a believer. The police chief - the pastor. I think the most dangerous attack is from within. When our own bodies turn against us with age, pain and/or disease we find it more difficult to find strength and keep the faith. Within the church, it is obvious we must keep our eyes open for outside attacks, but when we find a counterfeit christian in our own church body the hurt runs much deeper. This is one of the many reasons we must stay close to Christ. The closer we are to Him, the less room available for the enemy to get between us. A wolf in sheep's or Shepherd's clothing.
Acts 20:28-31
28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.Be shepherds of the church of God,[a] which he bought with his own blood.[b] 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
Betray is defined as breaking faith with the public trust.
Badge is the symbol of your office.
Integrity is being the same person in both private and public life.
Character means the qualities that distinguish an individual.
Public trust is a charge of duty imposed in faith toward those you serve.
Courage is having the strength to withstand unethical pressure, fear or danger.
Accountability means that you are answerable and responsible to your oath of office.
Community is the jurisdiction and citizens served.
The oath of an officer
On my honor,
I will never betray my badge,
my integrity, my character,
or the public trust.
I will always have
the courage to hold myself
and others accountable for our actions.
I will always uphold the constitution
my community and the agency I serve.
By now you probably get it. The police force represents the church. Each officer represents a believer. The police chief - the pastor. I think the most dangerous attack is from within. When our own bodies turn against us with age, pain and/or disease we find it more difficult to find strength and keep the faith. Within the church, it is obvious we must keep our eyes open for outside attacks, but when we find a counterfeit christian in our own church body the hurt runs much deeper. This is one of the many reasons we must stay close to Christ. The closer we are to Him, the less room available for the enemy to get between us. A wolf in sheep's or Shepherd's clothing.
Acts 20:28-31
28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.Be shepherds of the church of God,[a] which he bought with his own blood.[b] 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
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