By Jena Seidemann
Managing Editor
@jena_seidemann

I could talk about the recent national uproar that has occurred in Ferguson and Baltimore or how the public’s view of law enforcement has been skewed this past year, but I won’t.

Instead, I want to tell you about a dear friend of mine.

Officer James Ledet was my campus officer when I went to Coppell Middle School East. He would oversee events, traffic and maintain security for the campus – the usual job of a school resource officer, but his biggest impact for me is he being my friend.

Everyday, without fail, I would go up to his usual perch on the stage during lunch and talk football with him. He was a Sooner, and I was a Longhorn (you can guess how that went), but despite the rivalry, he had a genuine interest in my life and the life of the other students, knowing them by name and taking part of their jokes. If you ever meet him, ask him about the time Texas won the Red River Rivalry and he had to wear a Longhorn foam finger and hat for an entire day to his dismay.

What people sometimes forget is that police officers are human. I have been fortunate enough to know a few on a personal level, and they are just like you and I. They have families of their own and they make mistakes. No, their mistakes should not supercede the law and they should be held accountable, but their mistakes should not be reason to vilify them nor cause all officers to be labelled as unjust.

The minority cannot and should not determine the credibility of an organization.

And the most impactful thing that opened my eyes to how some police are viewed was when I watched TLC’s “Police Women of Cincinnati”. A father was being arrested for having illegal substances in the car. When he was handcuffed in front of his kid, the toddler stuck his tongue out at the police. One of the officers made sure the father knew that he was the reason for why he was being taken away, not the police.

The police are just following the law; they are doing their job and a tough job at that. So, I ask of you, please do not make law enforcement the enemy if they are doing their job and keeping you accountable.

I have a deep respect for law enforcement and the task they are given. As a teen, there is this misconception that we are supposed to be add odds with authority and laws such as curfew, which are only here to “oppress us.” There is a rhyme and reason for our laws, and if someone does not agree, exercise the right to vote and change them.

I support the police and will always support them. Recents events do not change my perception because the grand majority are good people.

There are bad police officers in the world, but today is not about them. Today is about the good men and women that have impacted an individual’s life like mine, who have protected and served in the most honorable way and who have laid their lives on the line so we could have a safe community. I am thankful and our community is to. Today is National Police Day, which is concluding National Police Week. Honor those that have served, are serving or have died during active duty.

Thank an officer not just today, but any chance you can.