May 5, 1999

Volunteers can help law officers fight cynicism, anger
___By Ken Camp
___Texas Baptist Communications
___DALLAS--Volunteers in restorative justice ministry can offer scriptural solutions to the cynicism, anger and alienation that many law enforcement officers develop, according to Bob Vernon, retired assistant chief of the Los Angeles Police Department.
___Vernon, a 38-year veteran with the LAPD and founder of the Point Man Leadership Institute, spoke to a prayer breakfast at the statewide Restorative Justice Ministry Conference, sponsored in part by Texas Baptists.
___He identified characteristics common to many law enforcement personnel:
___ Limited perspective syndrome. "You only see a small, skewed sample of humanity. People don't call us to report good events. Can you imagine what that does to you when you only see people at their worst on a continual basis? You become very cynical."
___ Exposure to the extremes of life, such as trauma, injury and death. Police officers "learn to turn off the switch. You become a callused person," Vernon said.
___ Dealing with authority and developing command presence. Law enforcement officers need to develop "command presence" in crisis situations, but they can become "badge heavy," Vernon said. "You get so used to using that authority, that you begin to use it around your family and friends, and that won't wash well."
___ Destruction of one's work. "In police work, you can put your life on the line, nearly die, and see this person released on a technicality," Vernon said. That frustration can lead to anger, not only at the criminal justice system, but also at God. "Police officers need to understand that the war is over. They don't have to be angry anymore. Jesus died to reconcile them," Vernon said.
___ Association with criminals. Police officers can "become more akin to them than to the rest of society, than to straight people," Vernon said.
___ The Knights of the Round Table Syndrome. Police officers come to see themselves as "the thin blue line that separates order from anarchy," Vernon said. That leads to withdrawal, in-grouping and alienation. Jesus came to adopt us into his family. That's the exact opposite of alienation."
___He offered three suggestions for churches and volunteers in restorative justice ministry--
___First, try to understand officers, he suggested. Walk in their shoes. Accompany a correctional officer on the job. Ride along in the squad car with a police officer.
___Second, encourage officers to be exposed to people in a positive way. If they are believers, involve them in teaching Sunday school, Vernon suggested. If they are not, urge them to coach Little League.
___Finally, gradually integrate police officers into the family of faith, he said.
___Hold an appreciation banquet in a neutral setting where other law enforcement personnel are invited. Have a police officer retreat where only other officers attend.
___When law enforcement officers become believers, they need to be discipled individually by someone who understands their work--a criminal justice chaplain or another police officer, Vernon said.

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