As a retired Delaware state trooper and the current executive director of the Delaware State Troopers Association, I am compelled to address the proclamation issued by President Joe Biden announcing Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week 2021. While those who are, or who have been, in law enforcement acknowledge and appreciate the president recognizing these annual events that honor the lives of the 362 officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in 2020 and the 127 who have done so thus far in 2021, we cannot ignore the hurtful and unnecessary rhetoric his proclamation contained.
It is particularly sad and disheartening that, in his proclamation, President Biden could not resist playing politics by designating an entire paragraph to blaming law enforcement for the distrust and fear felt by the Black and Brown communities toward police. He makes no distinction for the vast majority of police officers, instead choosing, like many in his administration, to paint all police with a broad brush to include those who have died in the line of duty. His words are particularly hurtful to the families, friends and co-workers of every hero whose name is inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. Once again, the president and his administration could not resist the opportunity for political pandering while announcing such a solemn event.
His statement lays the blame for all the ills of Black and Brown communities at the feet of the brave men and women of law enforcement. He conveniently leaves out the numerous other contributing factors to the violence, mistrust and lack of opportunities in communities of color — namely the scarcity of commitment by generations of politicians at the federal, state and local levels to address the deficiencies in education, funding, opportunity and the criminal justice system as a whole, not just police. Instead, the president chose to score cheap political points referencing those instances where police misconduct resulted in the loss of life of a person of color as part of his proclamation.
President Biden and his administration consistently ignore the dramatic increase in gun violence in big cities, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Black and Brown Americans every year. He and his administration have also chosen to ignore the deaths of police officers across this country since he took office. We have yet to see or hear him speak their names or acknowledge their sacrifices, other than the officers who died at the U.S. Capitol in January.
Even the death of Cpl. Keith Heacook of the Delmar Police Department went ignored by the president and his administration, as did the gunfire deaths of four other police officers during Police Week 2021.
Mr. President, the men and women of law enforcement in Delaware, and across this nation, deserve better, particularly during the one time each year when we honor our fallen heroes. But more importantly, the survivors of these men and women deserve respect, admiration, prayers and condolences from their president and other political leaders during Police Week — not political pandering.
The men and women of law enforcement are already working to improve the relationships within the communities they serve, to do everything they can to rebuild the trust of Black and Brown communities. We stand ready to have real and meaningful dialogue with the president and his administration to do the work necessary on needed and sensible police reform. However, the type of rhetoric on display thus far in his time as president, and particularly his proclamation, further divide us and do nothing to help bring us together.
Thomas J. Brackin, a resident of Cheswold, is retired from the Delaware State Police and is executive director of the Delaware State Troopers Association.
