A Higher Standard

I write this blog when I'm inspired by something. In this space I've written about my kids, my friends, and my passion for sports. Sometimes I'll go for a period of time between posts. And mainly it's because I write here when I have something I need to say.

This morning I was struck by a story on the news as I prepared for work. I'll leave the names out, but it was the story of the Chicago Police officer who assaulted a female bartender. He was convicted in part due to videotaped footage of the incident and yesterday, the case came to sentencing.

No jail time. None. The man -- a POLICE OFFICER -- struck a female bartender less than half his size because she wouldn't serve him any more alcohol. The incident was captured on videotape. And his punishment? Probation and community service.

This is a travesty. It's a travesty because it's a vulgar insult to every man and woman who wears a badge.

The judge was lenient because he had no previous record. He beat up another human being, he didn't steal a candy bar from the mini-mart or park in a no parking zone. And he wasn't defending himself from an attacker or protecting a loved one. He deserves no leniency.

He deserves no leniency because he's simply a bully. He assaulted a smaller and weaker person. Impressive. He deserves no leniency because a real man doesn't strike a woman. Now, call me sexist, but in the house I grew up in, that just wasn't allowed. Never.

But most of all, he deserves no leniency because he's a cop. If anything, he should be held to a higher standard. He's sworn to serve and protect. The Chicago Police Department put out a book not long ago called Courage, Integrity, Commitment and Community. It was a great piece on the men and women of CPD who put their lives on the line to make the city and everyone in it safer. And what this guy did and the measly sentence applied simply denigrates the men and women who wear that shield and do the job every day. It's an insult and the justice system owes them more than that.

There are good cops and bad cops, just like there are good and bad bus drivers or sales clerks or mechanics or teachers or doctors. The news gets filled with tales of cops gone wrong and we get very little of the day-to-day good work these officers do. And stories like this one don't help.

Police officers represent the best in us, put on the front line to protect against the worst in us. We should hold them to a higher standard, we should expect more because I'll guarantee you they do.

It takes courage and honor to wear the badge. Even in a travesty of justice, I hope we can all remember that.

And to this guy, enjoy your new career in the drive thru...