Integrity, It's Non-Negotiable

A few years back I found myself in a precarious position concerning someone that I admired, and considered a true friend. I hold friendship in very high regard, and I take it very seriously. I figure that if we are friends then you should be able to count on my integrity at all times, and I yours.

One definition for integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness. This doesn’t imply that you think you are “above” anyone or “better” than anyone, it just simply means you ought to be able to be counted on, and live in accordance with your deepest values no matter the cost.

Law enforcement is what comes to my mind when I think of integrity. I can remember it being explained to me in the academy some years back; that it’s doing the right thing, even when no one is looking. Law enforcement has taken some hits during my lifetime, some of them more significant than others, but there have been plenty of incidents where we didn’t do the right thing. However, our past shouldn’t dictate how we are seen or perceived in the future, there is no other profession that gets lumped together during hard times like law enforcement. For those that have their integrity intact, they deserve better than they are getting from a large percentage of the public, and definitely the media. I in no way justify the absence of integrity, we are professionals, and we should never get a pass on an integrity check.

That friend I mentioned earlier, well I ultimately lost the friendship. I knew that if I did the right thing there was a big possibility that could happen, unfortunately that’s the cost sometimes of doing what’s right. For the men and women currently serving our noble profession with integrity, I am so grateful for you. Also, I am so very sorry that so many do not appreciate your integrity, and value your honesty and bravery. Again, I guess that’s the cost of doing what’s right!

Chris