There is nothing “Soft On Crime” about Violating Constitutional Rights
by Jeff Harrison
Crime has always been an unfortunate reality to humans living around one another. It is only negative when one person violates the security or property of another person. The most important function of the government is safety which includes protecting citizens from criminals. No criminal action should be honored because it undermines a smooth functioning civilization. Law enforcement officers have an extremely difficult job that touches the darkest sides of our society. They run towards danger making split-second life or death decisions on any given day. We all benefit from great law enforcement officers.
What Makes a Great Law Enforcement Officer?
There are four virtues that make up a great law enforcement officer - Courage, Moderation, Justice and Wisdom
Courage - Greatness is rooted in courage. We all know the physical courage it takes to be willing to put your life on the line but it’s also the courage to do the right thing. The courage to speak up and admit where you can improve.
Moderation - Some think moderation is the opposite of courage. It’s actually the middle ground between courage and cowardness. Courage is essential but unbounded bravery can quickly turn into recklessness that can endanger oneself and others. Balance is greatness.
Justice - Understanding what is right. You can be courageous with the perfect balance but if you pursue unjust goals, it fails. You must be courageous for the right thing (liberty, honor, duty). Courage and moderation are meaningless without the right goal.
Wisdom - The ability to choose the right goal. It’s the knowledge, the training, the experience required to have the ability to set an honorable course of action.
A great law enforcement officer channels their courage at the perfect moderation towards a virtuous goal that makes a positive contribution to our society.
America’s High Standards
America holds government officials to high standards. We derive this power from the U.S. Constitution. The Founding Fathers experienced ruthless tyranny from Kings and Despots that would rain down terror on the citizens at any moment. They witnessed how destructive an all powerful government could be. In The Declaration of Independence they use the terms “Absolute Tyranny” and “Absolute Despotism” to describe the King of England. They experienced absolute power corrupting absolutely first hand. They solved the absolute power problem by creating a three branched government that derives its powers from the people. The Constitution lays out the limiting powers We The People grant the government. One of the powers limited in the Constitution is the amount of force a law enforcement officer can apply to an American. It is illegal for a law enforcement officer to use unreasonable force. If an American feels that an officer used unreasonable force on them, they can have a court of law decide if it was reasonable or not. This is what makes America great. It is our responsibility as Americans to make sure the government doesn’t abuse the limited powers we grant them.
You Can Do Both
Criminals have no right to rule the streets and law enforcement officers have no right to unlimited force. Therefore, you can be tough on crime and enforce the high standards set in the Constitution at the same time. It’s actually the most American thing you can do.
Conclusion
There is nothing “Soft On Crime” about letting a government official violate anyone's Constitutional Rights. Law enforcement officers are granted the ability to use force to maintain the peace but it’s not unlimited. This is a gray area which is why we have a judicial system and why citizens need their day in court. Thinking someone is “Soft On Crime” because they are holding law enforcement officers to the high standards set for them in the Constitution is nonsense. It is the exact opposite of being “Soft on Crime”. It’s demanding greatness from our law enforcement officers - Courage, Moderation, Justice and Wisdom because America has high standards.