US Senator John Thune’s Weekly Column – Police Officers: A Noble Calling

Police Officers: A Noble Calling
By Sen. John Thune

Take a look at a police officer’s belt, and you get a sense of their job. They carry handcuffs for criminals, a flashlight to see in the dark places they have to go, and a first aid kit to help a person who’s hurt. And in a single shift, an officer may very well use all of these things. That’s the type of job police officers have, and these items tell us something about the type of individuals who serve their community in this way. During National Police Week, we salute these brave men and women.

Police officers represent some of the best of our country. If someone needs help, they’re the first on the scene. When there’s danger, they put themselves in harm’s way. And they – and their families – make considerable sacrifices for their communities. The recent shooting of a Sioux Falls police officer is a timely reminder of the dangers police officers face in the course of doing their jobs. And it’s a reminder for all of us to be grateful for the men and women in our community who are willing to face these dangers in order to keep us safe.

Growing up in the small town of Murdo, the officers who served our town and county and the highway patrol officers who worked I-90 were all fixtures of daily life. And my dad, a World War II veteran who knew something about the sacrifice of those serving in uniform, instilled in us a deep respect for law enforcement – something I’ve carried throughout my life.

Unfortunately, respect for law enforcement isn’t always a given these days, but it should be. Kimberley and I now have six grandchildren, which makes us even more acutely aware of the importance of having safe communities for them and other children to grow up in. But safety doesn’t happen by chance. It takes people with character and courage to stand up to protect our communities and to support the people who live in them. That’s exactly what police officers do, from arresting criminals to helping stranded motorists to mentoring young people.

As a U.S. senator, I have an additional responsibility to support law enforcement. Last year, congressional Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts bill made a significant investment in state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. That same bill also provided tax relief for police officers, especially by allowing them to deduct overtime pay they earn when they spend long hours and holidays on the job away from their loved ones.

We ask a lot of police officers. Their job requires them to face dangerous places, people, and situations. When others run away, police officers run toward the danger. It takes a special type of person to be willing to risk their own safety to keep the rest of us safe, but that’s what a police officer does. And I’m grateful for those who have stepped up to answer this noble calling.

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