BLUE EDITOR UP FRONT
/BLUE EDITOR UP FRONT
"Taking a toll" means to have a damaging or harmful effect on someone or something, according to Cambridge Dictionary. It's often used to describe how a difficult situation or event negatively impacts a person's health, well-being or finances.
In this edition of BLUE Magazine we take an in-depth look at what impacts us negatively. Careers in law enforcement, corrections, and in the first responder world are not for everyone and often result in personal harm from the many adversarial and traumatic encounters endured over time. Lack of political support for the very services we are hired to provide adds to the relentless stress of functioning under a microscope.
Behind the badge lies a heavy toll that affects our mental, physical and emotional health. Our cover story The Weight of the Badge further sets the stage for painting a picture of what contributes to the toll our profession so often takes on our lives of dedicated service. We provide some recommendations on actionable tips for law enforcement agencies to explore for implementation or expansion.
Be sure to check out our other informative and inspirational articles. Monica Crawford encourages empowerment in My Story of Career Transition. Leonard Sipes asks, Is Policing The Toughest Job In America? Deon Joseph asks, Is it Time to Reconsider Our Approach? Lt. Joseph Pangaro (Ret.) provides A Tactical Guide for Officers Facing Violent Protests. Stan Popovich gives us Six Reasons Why a Police Officer Should Get Help For Their Mental Health, and Chris Amos’ provides his Police Chaplains Perspective reminding us that There Is Hope.
Other articles of equal interest will be found throughout this issue. Once you begin reading, you won’t want to stop!
The untimely death of our friend and mentor, Commissioner Bernard Kerik, has saddened us immensely. As our founder and publisher Daniel Del Valle recently said, the BLUE Magazine will continue to forge ahead with the same intensity and focus in keeping with the legacy Commissioner Kerik left behind in support and dedication to our law enforcement community while always striving for the greater good. May Commissioner Kerik rest in eternal peace. We will strive to keep his work front and center as we take his life's mission over from here.
As always, we at BLUE Magazine remain anxious for your input, stories, knowledge and experiences. Our sister organization Moment of Silence remains committed to our wellness and longevity. We rise by lifting others. Reach out to us; we want to hear from you!
Joel E. Gordon
Editor-in-Chief
