I want to offer my congratulations to the recent graduates of the Law Enforcement Academy and the TCI Corrections Academy. This is the first major achievement in the public service career of these young men and women and I am sure it is just the first of many.

These graduates are the future of law enforcement and I hope they will consider building their careers right here in Bradley County. This is one of the fastest growing counties in Tennessee and we need dedicated men and women with fresh ideas to help meet the demands of our growing population.

Public service is one of the most noble careers a person can choose. When a deputy earns the badge, they become a protector, a counselor and a role model, and they must hold themselves to a higher standard than most other professions require. The potential to do good is available to them every time they pull a shift, and their minimal duty isn’t good enough. They must constantly strive to be exceptional. And, most important, they must hold themselves above reproach.

Some of the hardest choices a law enforcement officer will have to make will be ethical choices. Deputies routinely make decisions that can profoundly affect people’s lives and freedoms. That is an awesome responsibility and one which they don’t want to underestimate or take lightly. Because of their heavy responsibilities, bad decisions in the field can be devastating on a personal and professional level ~ not only to private citizens, but also to law enforcement officers.

Poor ethical decisions are usually caused by one of four things ~ anger, lust, greed or peer pressure. That’s why I tell all my deputies that when they’re in the field, they should ask themselves these questions: “Is what I’m doing honest? Is it fair to all concerned? Is it professional ~ does it meet a set of known guidelines for professional law enforcement?” If the answer to those questions is yes, I tell them they’re on solid ground. As a law enforcement professional, deputies must have a clear understanding of right and wrong, and an intense desire to do what is right. That kind of defines the mission of the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, whether it’s Patrol, Corrections, Judicial Services or support personnel.

To the Academy graduates, I would say public safety officers aren’t always dealing with people at their best, or people of good moral character. And a deputy never knows when they may be facing a bad guy intent on doing harm. So first and foremost, they should protect themselves. They should be smart and stay safe, but they shouldn’t become cynical. I encourage my deputies to try and give people the benefit of the doubt. Most folks are decent and hardworking citizens who appreciate the difficult job law enforcement officers face. A lot of what deputies do is basic public relations and public service. I encourage them to give people a wave and a smile when they can, and to be especially mindful of the children and the impression officers leave with them.

My prayer for every Academy graduate is that God will grant them wisdom, patience and safety. They should never forget that they are ministers of good against evil, and that law enforcement is a good and honorable career. I hope they receive the best that life has to offer and I look forward to working with them all in the future.

And to everyone else, may I say ~ Merry Christmas to all ... may you enjoy peace and prosperity throughout the coming year.