The anti-police, negative narrative encourages public feedback to be consistently negative. Internal affairs complaints and inflammatory media coverage is their preferred method.

Police advocacy creatively counters this narrative with formal commendations, events and supportive content produced. America is in a war of words ( and worse ) about policing. I’ve filed commendations; contacted supervisors; written editorials; interviewed union leaders and use social media to combat the negative narrative. A steady diet of allegations and literal assault make professionals wary of the public. It divides stakeholders at a time when agitators, enablers and violent criminals stand united.

Officers appreciate recognition that their work and sacrifice isn’t in vain. Administrators also favor getting good news about performance from people departments serve.

Commending cops takes on new urgency as violent demonization of policing, protests by NFL players and even high school football teams stir urban resentment to new heights. This resentment launches jeering crowds,ambushes and lethal escalation of routine encounters.

Commending cops is one way advocates mobilize the public to figuratively protect embattled protectors. The future of policing demands it.

-Nadra Enzi aka Cap Black, Your UrbanSafetyist. @nadraenzi on twitter.