BACKThe Call for a NEW Voice of Law Enforcement
By
Jay D. Grimes
I believe that we have come to a point in history where a line must be "drawn in the sand" so to speak. The ever increasing infringement of individual rights by the Federal Government, pushed and supported by the United Nations, it's subsidiaries and NGOs (Non Governmental Organizations), must stop.
I think the time has come where police departments and sheriff departments must ask themselves the question, "To whom do we owe our primary responsibility?" Is it to laws passed by an out-of-control Federal Government; or to the Constitution? Is it to those laws which trample on the right to private property, firearms, ect.; or to the citizens of our local communities who have placed their trust in us - who we have sworn an oath to protect?
By most department oaths, we have an obligation to enforce all laws, Federal, State and Local. At the same time we also swear to serve and protect the citizens of our communities. This includes their Constitutional rights. When those two obligations are in conflict - which side do we take?
This is not an easy question to answer for many of us. I feel it is incumbent upon every local police officer, chief, deputy and sheriff to ask themselves these questions and meditate on them. Differing opinions are inevitable. But, I believe conscience must dictate. I do not believe there to be a clearer argument for conscience than the following hallowed words:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that
among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these
rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers
from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes
destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish
it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such
principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most
likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that
governments long established should not be changed for light and transient
causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more
disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by
abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of
abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design
to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to
throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future
security"...
"We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown (United Nations), and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain (New World Order), is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor."
Do I advocate the overthrow of our Government? No. Do I advocate for a redress of grievances as embodied in the First Amendment to The Bill of Rights? Yes. Do I advocate the breaking of ties with the United Nations? Yes. Do I advocate for a return to a strict interpretation of the Constitution and the limit it places on government? Yes.
It is my opinion, and conscience, the Constitution and my community come first. I would that all local officers felt the same. But, they won't.
As for those of us who do feel the same, I feel it is extremely important we make our collective voice heard - loud and clear. The International Association of Chiefs of Police, and other similar political organizations, who do not speak for us, must not be allowed to do so without rebuttal. (This is not to say that I never agree with the IACP, and that it has not furthered the respectability of our profession. But, many times I do not, and I loath the fact it is touted as the "voice of law enforcement" in the media and on the political scene.)
It is time; time for our voices to be heard.
I propose, to further the above, a decentralized organization of local
citizen-police partnerships that are conjoined by national organization.
The site will be a clearing house for information that directly relates to the usurpation of private property rights, the right to keep and bear arms, and free speech. Local chapters would be responsible for submitting information on government violations of the above to the web site for dissemination to the group as a whole. The web site will be a location for discussion of these issues and a base for requesting support from other chapters.
It's strength will be local. It's focus national.
That may be a lot to hope for, but that is my "vision".
BACK| (The views and opinions expressed in these articles are not necessarily representative of the Craig Police Department. I am solely responsible for the content. They are not endorsed by CPD or the City of Craig.) | |
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Jay D. Grimes is a career police officer
in Craig, CO. |
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