Quote of the Quarter

“What is this? Oh, the meth pipe in my pocket? I take that stuff for spiritual purposes – it enhances my spiritual experiences.” Arrested individual

The Guarantee

The world is full of uncertainty. New variance to Covid, wars and rumors of wars, political unrest, changing economy, tornadoes, and constant talk of global warming.

In the midst of all of the change and looming unknown, there is one constant, unchanging, unwavering surety. The guaranteed love of God toward you and me. In the midst of all of our dysfunction, hurt, hangups, disappointments, fears, and sickness, God sent Jesus, born fully man and fully God. He came to us with a purpose. He is our rescuer, our saviour. We need a remedy for our blunders, mistakes, our intentional misbehaving, yes – our sin. He came to save us from ourselves and the disaster we earned from our actions and attitudes.

He showed us the way and led us in the truth, because He is the Truth. He heals the sick, brings forgiveness, restores that which was lost, heals the brokenhearted, binds up the wounds of the broken, and reveals the forecast of a very hopeful future.  Jesus! Let’s remember Jesus is the birthday we are celebrating at Christmas. 

He’s a one size fits all – truly the best gift available. I hope you say yes and receive His gift of forgiveness, His love, and His Holy Spirit bringing your soul to life. I guarantee you will never regret it!

Some of the coolest people!

As I reflect on the close of another year, I pause for a moment and list out some of the people I am thankful for. The list is only a sample and not all inclusive. It covers categories more than individuals. 

Family, friends, all cops – no matter the size, number of legs or agency. Cops that go the extra mile, Buddy the Elf and cops. Friends whose kids grow up and support others. Valued sponsors that help make this all happen. I am blessed to have so many cool people in my life!

In Conclusion:

Thank you for your interest and support in Code 7 for another year! Your prayer and financial support have made it possible to continue providing water for two agencies, opportunities to ride along weekly and buy dinner for the officers and their beat partners each time I’m out. Through these gestures of kindness and support, together we have earned the privilege of helping me become a trusted individual and valued asset to our police. They continue to come to me for encouragement and care when they need it most. 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your believing in me and the mission of Code 7. As we support our law enforcement from the beginning to the end of their careers, through the ups and downs, your contributions have made a world of difference. 

Blessings,

Wes

Quote of the Quarter

“You rubbed the lamp and I’m here.. do you need me or not? I’m happy to go back into the lamp.” Officer K

The Bricks

We started a room addition in the middle of last year and part of that was tearing out our 1960s red brick patio to make room for our expansion. I stacked the old bricks, saving them for a future backyard project and tossed all the broken bricks into a pile. Fast forward 8 months.. the new living space came out better than we anticipated.  Now the focus is on our outdoor space. 

Once the stringlines were set and pattern laid out, the monotonous task of setting the bricks took over. At the end of the project, which was not without smashed fingers, sore biceps, knees, and lower back, it was time to seal the brick joints. I poured polymeric sand between the bricks and sprinkled water as prescribed. The water activates the chemicals, which acts as a glue binding the sea of red bricks into one and revealing a beautiful finished product. This final step is a significant one because without the saturation and infusion of water, the strengthening of our patio would never be realized. 

Why do I tell you this story? Because the red brick patio space that was created and the covering that was erected over the top (with its own story) is a sacred space I dedicate to sharing encouraging conversation. The people I have in mind are not only family but friends, more specifically, police officers. 

My heart is to help cops throughout their life and career. They have to make sense of so many crazy encounters, each with the potential of producing emotional and psychological wounds. These encounters add up day after day, month upon month, and year after year for cops. Their physical, emotional, and spiritual health is severely impacted. For all who need a safe and comfortable space for private conversation and ventilation, this space is now available.

The talks shared here usually contain stories of cracked and broken parts of their lives and a request for a fresh perspective. I’m super thankful to have this safe space where weird stories can be told, and tears can be shed into the polymeric sand strengthening the soul in need. I didn’t make a yellow brick road, but hopefully, this space will help someone down their road a little better. 

F#* the Law

I noticed a wall with fresh yellow paint. It had three words graffitied on it (edited photo). I thought my partner would enjoy seeing it so I asked her to turn the corner and pull over. She quickly called her beat partners to come for a photo. The words painted were intended as hateful, but the cops know the truth about their jobs and the sentiment of “some” people. They took it as an opportunity to have a chuckle and not as “news” about how some feel about them. They know if they take it as a message from everyone, they would be seriously heartbroken. They have come to embrace the sentiment as part of their job.  

Similarities between Chaplains and Law Enforcement

Here is a list I found somewhere a long time ago describing the similarities of Chaplains and Law Enforcement. 

1. They both are charged to uphold the laws and values that are decaying at a rapid pace.  

2. We both understand what it’s like to never be off-duty.  We both understand what it’s like to always be a law enforcement officer or a pastor. We may take the uniform off, but we still represent those offices.

3. The community will treat us as if we represent every bad minister, priest, or officer they have ever known.

4. We are called upon to do things in our community that no one else wants to do.

5. Law enforcement and clergy pay high emotional dues in fulfilling their duties. 

6. The people we serve lie to us, but expect us to always tell the truth, and often we become the scapegoats for their misconduct.

7. Our community does not have a clue what law enforcement and clergy really do on a daily basis, yet they’re experts at criticizing when things don’t go their way.

8. Both have many acquaintances but few friends (we find it hard to really trust others).  

9. We encourage, support, help others when we ourselves, at times, are desperate in need of encouragement, support, and help.

10. Within our responsibilities the highs are very high and the lows are very low.

11. There is great frustration in not being able to help everyone who is in need.

12. There is great frustration in watching people we help return to their previous choices and lifestyles.

13. No matter how many people we help, we always lose some, and that is never easy.

14. Clergy focuses on the spiritual and often ignores the reality of the other parts of life and the need for healing there as well. Officers deal with the physical and mental and often refuse to believe that spiritual healing is necessary, when in reality we really do need each other to help make our community a better place.

In Conclusion:

I thank God for you, for your work behind the scenes through prayer, finances, and encouragement.

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Quote of the Quarter

“I want to come to your house and stay with you, Anderson, you’re nice.” ~ Ms “L” who is 87 years old with beginning stages of dementia and having domestic problems at home. 

The Unicorn

There is a fun and entertaining game one of the patrol squads use at the police department to enhance camaraderie and motivate performance through fun. Que the unicorn…

The Unicorn has a zipper on its back and takes deposits of money. It doubles as a modern day cone of shame. Unicorn is carried in the building (and tucked away in the car) by the officer who has the most recent blunder, openly or admittedly. Imagine using the radio at the wrong time, having a cell phone ring during roll call, locking keys in car,  or any other notable mistake. All unicorn funds are used to help fund the end of the shift squad party, so there is a recognizable benefit for all.

I was out last night on a ride along, and as we all circled up and closed out the shift, I saw an officer proudly displaying the unicorn on their equipment belt. 

He was swinging it around eagerly waiting for his partner’s arrival at the station. The Unicorn would be handed off after the night’s events.  Unicorn now has a new chaperone, and the fun continues. 

Simple, harmless, and healthy bantering goes on with our cops. It’s one of the ways they can cope with some of the disturbing things they encounter each day. Unicorns are unique, but who could have imagined the magic they would bring to cops?

Police Challenges

Our police officers encounter non-stop challenges every shift. It has been estimated that 80% of police contact is unwanted contact. What I mean by this is, the people who they are sent to assist don’t want the police there. They are dispatched calls from a neighbor hearing a family dispute, a mother witnessing drug activity in a car at the park, reports of suspected elder abuse, someone drunk and passed out on the sidewalk in front of a convenience store, and sometimes, even a report of someone walking down the middle of the street naked (just mentioning a few of last night’s events). 

Some of the most common calls for service in our community right now are people who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, neighbor disputes, and concerns about the transient population who insist on being unaccountable and irresponsible. 

When my partner recites a person’s first and last name as soon as they hear a location and description of a person causing problems – this speaks volumes of  how many times they have had to encounter the same individual. There is no simple resolution for those trying to keep our cities safe and orderly. Our cops have to be creative, resourceful, and kind as they engage with citizens wanting results while the police are confined to keeping the (everchanging) laws and rights of everyone.

Paul Harvey

The late Paul Harvey, the radio broadcaster who became famous for his daily news show and “The Rest of the Story” segments, wrote about the job of a policeman in 1970. It was a tribute to his policeman father who was killed in the line of duty.  Here is what he said; 

A policeman is a composite of what all men are, mingling of a saint and sinner, dust and deity. What that really means is that they are exceptional, they are unusual, they are not commonplace. Buried under the froth is the fact: and the fact is, less than one-half of one percent of policemen misfit the uniform. And that is a better average than you would find among clergymen! What is a policeman? 

He, of all men, is at once the most needed and the most wanted. A strangely nameless creature who is “sir” to his face and “pig” or worse to his back. He must be such a diplomat that he can settle differences between individuals so that each will think he won. But…If the policeman is neat, he is conceited; If he’s careless, he’s a bum. If he’s pleasant, he’s a flirt; If he’s not, he’s a grouch. 

He must make instant decisions which would require months for a lawyer. But…if he hurries, he’s careless; If he’s deliberate, he’s lazy. He must be first to an accident, infallible with a diagnosis. He must be able to start breathing, stop bleeding, tie splints and above all, be sure the victim goes home without a limp. 

The police officer must know every gun, draw on the run, and hit where it doesn’t hurt. He must be able to whip two men twice his size and half his age without damaging his uniform and without being “brutal.” If you hit him…he’s a coward. If he hits you…he’s a bully. 

The policeman, from a single human hair, must be able to describe the crime, the weapon, the criminal and tell you where the criminal is hiding. But…if he catches the criminal, he’s lucky; if he doesn’t, he is a dunce. He runs files and writes reports until his eyes ache, to build a case against some felon who will get “dealed out” by a shameless shamus. 

The policeman must be a minister, a social worker, a diplomat, a tough guy and a gentleman. And of course, he’ll have to be a genius…for he will have to feed a family on a policeman’s salary.

In Conclusion

Police are for our protection and are commissioned to uphold the laws our nation and counties approve.  Please respect, support and pray for them. They are people just like you and me. 

“Oh, things always get better. Tomorrow will always be better. Just think about it… is there any time in history in which you’d rather live than now?”  ~ Paul Harvey

See that you love one another from the heart, always unselfishly seeking the best for one another. Love never fails. 1 Peter 1:22b, 1 Corinthians 3:8a