Today, in every city, courtroom, and District attorney’s office, the “generals” are deciding whether or not they will support their men and women on the frontlines… or abandon them. The war against the women and men in blue will determine whether civilization and order are upheld or drowned by the mob in the streets. 

We are seeing the upheaval in recent events. The “blue wall of silence” has come down. Protests are up. Riots are happening in cities all over the country. And progressives are calling for the defunding- or complete dismantling- of police departments. This knee jerk reaction is taking away from real progress that could be made in this time as police chiefs, department heads, and communities could be coming together to repair trust and mutual respect. 

We saw a glimmer of hope in the beginning of this upheaval. Sheriff and police chiefs walking and talking with peaceful protesters. Standing together. Protecting each other. We saw progress as these communities began to bridge that gap and gain respect for the men and women in blue that are truly there to protect them. But then… 

Liberal politicians took over. Progressives called for the “defunding of police!” Dismantling entire police departments so there is nothing left to defend their cities. Why? Because it fits their overall agenda. 

Radicals are demanding that we “Defund Police Now!” — not thinking of the anarchy that would swiftly follow if they’re successful. Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats in the House of Representatives are trying to push legislation with massive law enforcement reforms that would hurt policing, empower drug dealers, and reverse the strong decline in crime over the last three years. The Democrats want to bind the hands of the police and handcuff justice forever by requiring police departments to send data on the use of force to the federal government and create a grant program that would allow state attorneys general to create an independent process to investigate misconduct or excessive use of force. This legislation, if passed, would make it easier for people to recover damages when police departments allegedly violate civil rights. In truth, it would stack the deck against the police, and justice.

Remember those in blue who are inherently standing up for good during the protests, riots, and in everyday life. Without police who are you going to call in any life-threatening situation. Life without laws and law enforcement is anarchy!

By James Fotis is the President of the National Center for Police Defense, former Executive Director of the Law Enforcement Alliance of America and served for fourteen years as a Police Officer for the Lynbrook, New York Police Department, retiring as the highest decorated officer in the department’s history.