The Role of Christianity in the Law Enforcement Profession
The “Thin Blue Line,” the symbol representing Law Enforcement as all there is between order and chaos, anarchy and civilization, and decency and lawlessness. It is the symbol showing Law Enforcement’s duty to protect people through the power of the law.
8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9a We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious
1 Timothy 1:8-9a NIV
In a free society, people who do not feel safe are not truly free. Law Enforcement’s mission is to protect life and property, thus giving many Peace Officers a sense of “mission,” meaning that what you are doing in life matters. In a 2019 survey of 1,673 police officers, conducted by the Dolan Consulting Group, 68% stated they wanted to help people or serve society. As a profession, Law Enforcement is very rewarding and fulfilling. After all, what other job gives you a front-row seat to the “Greatest Show on Earth?”
“The police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interest of community welfare and existence.” Sir Robert Peel
Because Law Enforcement requires a strong sense of community and the ability to know what is right and wrong, the difference between good and evil, there is a strong belief that most Peace Officers were raised with some sort of Judeo-Christian values.
Peace Officers are handed a great deal of responsibility, wearing the uniform and putting on the badge is a privilege. Not being just any job, Law Enforcement is a profession that demands honor and integrity. Some Peace Officers take advantage of this privilege, letting the power go to their heads, leading them to believe they are above the law. Peace Officers face new ethical issues every day, and it is up to that Officer to handle the issue properly.
It is a profession that has some of the highest rates for divorce, alcoholism, and suicide. Today’s Peace Officers are at risk for falling prey to Satan, becoming angry, lustful, greedy, and hateful.
Modern-day policing places many demands on Peace Officers: they may become critical of people, bitter and very cynical. They may become physically and mentally injured. They may experience the devastating effects of Acute and Post-Traumatic Stress, leading them to suicide. Law Enforcement is a unique profession where you may have to kill to keep from being killed. It is the only profession where you are expected to die for the community you serve.
Peace Officers may not see how their personal views and opinions affect others. A Peace Officer with a Christian Worldview would benefit as they would have the guidance from the Holy Spirit.
In a 1984 article “Should a Christian Be Involved in Police Work or Military Service?”[1] Pat Robertson writes;
As long as there are sinful people, we will need policemen. As long as men and women will not submit voluntarily to the righteous commands of God, force will be necessary to keep them from murdering, raping, kidnapping, stealing—from victimizing innocent people. Thus, it is proper for a Christian to be involved in police work or in military service. There has to be law and order, for no one is safe when there is anarchy.
Many in Law Enforcement believe that they cannot be a Christian because they may be involved in an incident that requires the use of deadly force. In contrast, the Apostle Paul writes in the book of Romans;
2Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
Romans 13:2-5 NIV
Using scripture, God defines the authority and mission of Law Enforcement. Used properly, and as ugly as it is, force is not a necessary evil. It is a necessary tool to maintain order.
Peace Officers are given power and authority, the power to control people and the authority to enforce the laws of their jurisdiction. This power and authority can lead them to that “slippery slope.” It starts small, maybe using the badge to get out of a minor traffic citation, accepting free coffee, or a half-price lunch. In most cases gratuities are fine. However, left unchecked, they could be that small step that leads to crime and corruption. Not all Peace Officers are honest, and they know how to manipulate the system. Some believe the rules do not apply to them.
Peace Officers who maintain a Christian worldview, the framework of ethics and concepts that guide them on a daily basis, are given a solid foundation in which to live their life by. A truly Christian worldview is the ability for a Christian to fully integrate Christian ethics into everyday life. As for Peace Officers, having a Christian worldview means upholding ethics not only because it is legally and professionally prudent, but because of the Peace Officer’s desire to abide by God’s word.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God
Matthew 5:9
To be a true peacemaker you must be a child of God. The only way to become a child of God is to have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. You must share the message of God’s peace and love to be a “peacemaker,” to be called a “child of God.”
You cannot “Badge” your way into heaven or out of hell. You will not go to heaven based on your “good works” or because of your profession as a Law Enforcement Officer. If you are a Peace Officer who does not know God, who does not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ you can get that peace, that salvation, that promise of eternal life.
In Genesis 4:7 (NIV), God tells us that, “sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it”. Satan is the father of lies, the deceiver. His desire is to kill you. John 10:10 (NIV) calls Satan the thief in this verse, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy”. There is only one way to defeat Satan and certain death. If you don’t have Christ in your life, you will die in your sin and will spend eternity in Hell.
The Bible lays out what you must do to be saved by Jesus Christ. Think of it as the elements of the offense for becoming a Christ-follower.
You must admit you are a sinner: “As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one”‘ Romans 3:10. NIV
You must repent and turn from sin: “In the past, God overlooked such ignorance, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent.” Acts 17:30 NIV
You must believe that Jesus Christ died for you, was buried and rose from the dead: Romans 5:8 tells us, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”. Romans 10:9-10 says, “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”
Jesus is the only way. He is reaching down to pull you out and save you but you have to reach up to Him and take His hand. The way to do this is to pray to Him. Confess your sins to Him, tell Him you believe in Him. Cry out that you need Him and you desire to give up your life for Him. Ask Him to be your own personal Savior and come into your life. Romans 10:13 (NIV) says, “for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (courtesy of Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers)
As a Peace Officer, you took an oath to protect good and fight evil. Many have lost track of their priorities and have put the job first in their lives. If you are experiencing lower than normal sense of self-worth, depression or misplaced guilt, inability to specifically remember or talk about the trauma, feeling numb emotionally, dissociation (not aware of the present moment), a feeling of disconnection from their everyday lives, feeling hyper-aroused and vigilant for danger all the time, lashing out in irritability or unexplained anger, feeling jittery, or unable to concentrate on tasks at hand and/or other anxiety disorders, such as panic or intense distress, talk to someone and get help. Get back to the basics. Get your priorities straight God first, Family second, the job – later.
IF YOU HAVE THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE GET HELP NOW
CALL COPLINE FOR HELP – CALL (800) 267-5463
Faith doesn’t make you a weak warrior It makes you an unbeatable warrior
The AdamDavis.com
Footnotes
- Pat Robertson “Should a Christian Be Involved in Police Work or Military Service?” Accessed October 10, 2019, https://www1.cbn.com/questions/christians-involved-police-military↑
