To the Ones Who Don't Deserve to Wear the Badge,

Your abuse of power makes me sick to my stomach. How did you let this happen? Did you not have proper training, or did you just let your badge get to your head? It’s hard to understand what was running through your mind or what your intentions were, but it’s unforgivable. It’s unforgivable that people like you have made this world hate people like my dad.

My dad is a good cop, a great cop actually. I’ve heard it from many people that my dad is serious in hard times, but kind and compassionate when he needs to be. He works hard, harder than any other person I know. Countless hours spent at work that he will never get back with his family in order to protect our town. And do you think he ever complains? No. He goes to work every day with a smile on his face unsure of what the job may bring. And do you think he ever complains about cops getting a bad stigma because of people like you? No. Because he’s a good man and doesn’t judge people for their wrong doings.

But me? I’m not as wonderful as my father is, and quite frankly I’m pissed. I’m pissed that someone like you has tarnished the occupation of someone like my father. I’m pissed that you have made my dad’s job harder than it already was because now people doubt and question him. I’m pissed that I have to worry most days about when he’s coming home and why he’s 30 minutes late. I worry that someone has it out for him, and there’s a target on his back simply for being a cop. I worry that one day I won’t hear him come through the door anymore and creep up the staircase to bed. I worry that one day I will lose him because of someone like you.

And it’s not fair.

It’s not fair that you chose this occupation and you let it be ruined. I’m not sure the damage you have caused can ever be undone. I’m uncertain that the world will ever see cops in a positive light again, they believe they’re all bad like you. But it’s up to people like me now to keep the little bit of faith in the criminal justice system alive. It’s up to me to spread positivity about police officers and remind the world that they are people just doing their best in a time that wants them to fail. To remind people that officers are people, who have families at home who love them dearly, and wait for them to come home. I’m not sure I can change the world, but for my dad you better bet I’m trying. In the meantime, do us all a favor and let the good cops with pure intentions handle everything. The world has too much negativity already, and it certainly doesn’t need another bad cop.

Sincerely,

The Daughter of a Good Cop