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The Police
officers Oath
I........................DO SWEAR - THAT - I WILL
WELL AND TRULY SERVE - OUR SOVEREIGN COUNTRY AND STATE - AS A POLICE OFFICER
WITHOUT FAVOR OR AFFECTION - MALICE OR ILL-WILL - UNTIL I AM LEGALLY DISCHARGED
- THAT I WILL SEE AND CAUSE OUR COMMUNITYS PEACE TO BE KEPT AND PRESERVED -
AND THAT - I WILL PREVENT TO THE BEST OF MY POWER - ALL OFFENSES AGAINST THAT
PEACE - AND THAT - WHILE I CONTINUE TO BE A POLICE OFFICER - I WILL - TO THE
BEST OF MY SKILL AND KNOWLEDGE - DISCHARGE ALL THE DUTIES THEREOF - FAITHFULLY -
ACCORDING TO LAW. SO HELP ME GOD. (Sample Oath)
When any
officer is hired or completes their police academy they are required to take an
oath. Too often as time wears on the police officer has forgotten their oath but
do continue doing the best job they can for the department they serve. Police
officers in the past took their oath to heart and worked hard and long hours
serving their community. They didnt ask for raises or promotions or a pat on
the back, they did their job until the day arrived they were eligible for one
position or another. The police stuck together as family back then as they do
today.
Police
officers today do an incredible job considering everything that is required of
them. First, they must understand the law before they can enforce it. Society
has given them the dirty job of policing people or areas they themselves
wouldnt do if given the responsibility. Police are held accountable for all
actions good or bad. Police have to respond to dangerous calls sometimes without
knowing all of the facts or details of the incident they are rolling in on. A
domestic may have started out with some arguing before a gun came into the
picture. Police officers are trained at the police academy for such incidents
and that doesnt necessarily prepare them for the unexpected that can occur.
When these type incidents happen, it can mean the death of a police officer(s).
Anytime a
person becomes a police officer they take on a great deal of responsibility.
They sometimes must go where others fear and or engage in a life and death
struggle with a suspect. Enough good cannot be written or said about the police
officer. They are the force that protects us day and night 24/7 or prevents
greater disasters from occurring when they can. Police officers have saved more
lives than taking any and must always be prepared to do whatever is required of
them by their agencies. Most officers participate in children and elderly
programs. They help the elderly with programs that can keep them safe from harm,
abuse or fraud. They help the children in recognizing the benefits of being good
and staying away from gangs, drugs or what to do if abused. This time is usually
donated at the officers expense and because they believe in helping our
elderly, and our young ones to grow up morally and right.
The next time
you see a police officer remember that they are only human, have taken their
oath and that they are trying to do their best in making society a better and
safer place for you and I to live.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jim Heitmeyer was born in Phoenix, Arizona and raised in
Paradise Valley. Jim joined the United States Marine Corps and completed his
service to our country. Jim later joined the Oklahoma Army National Guards 745
Military Police Company. Jim served during the Just Cause war in Panama and
Operations Desert Shield & Desert Storm. Jim Heitmeyer attained the rank of
sergeant (E5).
Jim Hietmeyer is a retired lieutenant from the Oklahoma
County Sheriff's Office (Oklahoma). After his retirement from the Oklahoma
County Sheriffs Office he worked as a police officer for the Arcadia Police
Department from 2001 through 2004. During his career, he worked as a jailer,
deputy sheriff, CLEET instructor, American Red Cross Instructor, and biohazards
instructor. He is the author of two books under the pen name of Jim Daly:
Lockdown Madness and Behind Steel Doors.
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