I have never owned a dog but have had plenty of friends with them. I have met quite a few K9 units and their dogs. What the good dogs do for the family is protect and provide joy. They are often fiercely loyal and have taken on all kinds of threats to protect the family. They have no fear of danger and they still want to snuggle and play, even when they have been yelled at and belittled. Pretty great example of love right?
Now here is the topic EVERY officer has had to discuss: family relations. How many briefing room side-discussions, locker talk, and other conversations have been on this? I feel it is almost every single day at work and sometimes multiple times. Divorce, separations, child problems, selfishness and the like run rampant. Now I doubt all of these "water cooler conversations" is the truth, but imagine how upsetting your spouse or child would feel if they happened to see or hear the footage from your camera/mic as you are belittling their feelings? The one line I despise hearing is how a spouse/child shouldn't be complaining because the officer has had a far worse/taxing day. This never has been true. This talk about who's life is more important goes against the entire Family Proclamation.
This attitude of self-service carries from work to the home really easily. That quick fuse from dealing with "boneheads" all day can be easy to light. The idea that (barring a superior's opinion) your way is the right way can be transferred across work and home time. This is more boneheaded than any person you encounter on the streets. Your life is just as important as each of your family members. No more, no less. Your marriage was to be a help-meet not a President and Vice-President. Your children are your stewardship, not your minions. So why do you think your day was/is more significant? I am pretty sure Jesus Christ didn't do some miracles and then say, "Hey, come wash my feet and make me some food. It's been a long day and and I'm the Savior."
Just like the rest of the gospel principles, the strengthening of our families comes together over time with hard-work and dedication. Put forth the effort and see the fruits of the gospel flourish in your home.
We all hope the day we have to go to the call we have been dreading (child, partner, or other horrible circumstance) our family is there to surround us with love and support. A piece of advice from a officer who is of a different faith: on the last day you remove your badge and uniform, if your home is empty because your career was full, what will you really have done in 30 years?
I have one EXCEPT to add. In the event of something traumatic, please, please, please get help from your family, trained counselors, and coworkers. There are many out there who find themselves slipping because they take the other extreme of never asking for help. The advice and counsel in the gospel is working together, not suppressing.
Sorry that this post is more for reflection than for just uplifting. Sometimes, we have to take on the hard truths to progress. It keeps us humble. So be fiercely loyal to your family. Be the person that others ask for counsel in private, after the public heckling in the locker room ends. Show your spouse and kids what real heroes stand for. And read the talk. It's still on the homepage of LDS.org for at least today.
Godspeed, LEOs.
-LDS Sheepdog
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