Three Actors

by James Baker

​The country is facing a lot of hate toward police, and a lot of the emotions directed toward officers is wrong. Anytime there is police and citizens interaction, three things have occurred.
 
 ACTOR # 1
 
This is the offender. A person doing something they shouldn't be doing. Personal responsibility isn't being practiced by an offender, because his actions are selfish, criminal and without proper thought for the consequences.
 
The offender isn't a good guy, he is the bad guy. He is the guy you would cross to the other side of the street if he saw him coming your way. In order to escape, he is the guy you would run and hide from. Remember, he is an offender, which is a person in violation of the law.
 
ACTOR # 2
 
This is a person close enough to witness the offender and smart enough to understand the actions being carried out are wrong. This person also knows that they need to contact the proper authorities, because dealing with a person like this must be carried out by those appointed for the charge.
 
ACTOR # 3
 
This is the police. They are called to the location by the person who saw the offense and they are expected to solve it. The police must solve the matter in the right way, but that isn't always easy. It is hard because offenders who are lawless, have no respect for those who carry the badge.
 
So, the policeman must make a defense which doesn't taint the badge; but also saves the day. Their job isn't easy. They are hated if they do and hated if they don't.
 
Advice to these actors is as follows.
 
Actor # 1. Don't be breaking the law. Don't put yourself in situations where the possibly of police being called is done. And if they are called, they are there because of your actions. Do the right thing so you will not be an offender. 1 Peter 4:15.
  
Actor # 2. Don't back down from your call about wrong doing in the neighborhood. Don't take sides. Your only reason for being there is you are the witness. So act like one. Stand by your testimony. Matthew 5:37
 
Actor # 3. You must enforce the law. Make sure that you live up to that. Call for back up if the need is there. But enforce the law and get the facts straight. Romans 13:4