Serving and protecting

Dear Editor:

Every man and woman in our police force has chosen a career to “serve and protect”. They work to keep civil society civil.

When there is danger or the threat of tragedy they, along with other first responders, show up ready to prevent or ameliorate harm. In many situations, they place themselves between aggressors and victims of crime.

The police service is constantly rooting out causes of damaging social hazards such as human trafficking, illegal drugs and gun violence. They educate the public about money scams and play a role in the prevention of impaired driving. Much of their preventative work is done out of the public eye.

But we need to recognize that behind the dark blue uniform is a fellow human being, also vulnerable to harm. This is brought home to all of us in recent tragedies close to home.

We owe a debt of honour to the individual officer and to the family, which sends him or her off to work every day, gratitude.

Arlene Callaghan, Fergus