After the most recent fatal shooting of a black man by a police officer in Minnesota last week, it is disheartening to see and hear so many people being critical of this nation’s police forces.
Even the President of the United States and the Governor of Minnesota have swiftly spoken out against bad policing, amplifying the voices of generations of African-Americans who have pointed fingers and discredited a noble profession.
Some Blacks and those who act with them in solidarity have put many of nation's men and women in blue on guard and wondering where they stand in their communities.
In a show of support for the officers in blue, dozens of area communities are rallying behind their local police forces and showing their endorsement for cops and sheriffs.
This week, officers at the Big Lake Police Dept. walked from their office building to their cars — only to find messages of support scribbled in chalk next to their cars by anonymous supporters.
The same kind of support is being shown in Becker, too where Police Chief Brent Baloun has seen an influx of treats, snacks, beverages and goodies from area advocates looking to pay tribute to their law enforcement agencies.
Earlier this week, Baloun and Officer Chris Lindbloom posed with some friends from Monticello including Joy White, who is the wife of a police officer from Orono. White and her group of youngsters brought treats, sandwiches and drinks to the BPD to offer their support and thanks for the jobs done by first responders.
“It’s been overwhelming,” Baloun said of the show of support. “It’s so exciting to see they appreciate us.”
Also this week, a group from Becker — including Olivia, Charlie, Tiana, Trinity and Trista — stopped by to thank the officers and bring them treats.
Tiana and Trinity also made a couple home-made posters with poems on them that read:
Police are good, police are great;
Whenever there's an emergency, they don't hesitate!
We are very thankful, we can't even say; we are thankful that you serve us each and everyday! — Tiana.
The other poster read as follows:
Police are special. Police are great.
Whenever someone needs them, there always on there way;
People are thankful, when police officers get there;
So never stop believing in what they can do, because everything they can do is so amazing;
They save lives everyday.
God is watching over you and we keep you in our prayers, too. — Trinity.
“We are appreciative of their support and all others who have stopped to show support and brought us goodies,” Baloun said.
“When we sign up to be police officers, we do so to support our communities and keep people safe. We are thankful that people recognize we need the support too.”
Baloun asks that during this precarious time of turmoil between citizens and people in uniform, people “keep an open mind considering what is being said in the media and by certain public officials.”
“Being a police officer is a calling like many other professions and we do not take lightly the authority, responsibility and the trust that has been placed upon us,” he said. “We do not come to work each day wondering or thinking about who we can take to jail or who we will give a ticket to.”
Baloun’s hope — and tho hope of many of his colleagues — is that communitites unite instead of divide.
“We are blessed to live and work in a city like Becker where we have the support that we have,” he said. “Again, thank you for the concern and well wishes. As police officers, we are humbled at the response shown to us.”
