Gone are the days in which a person’s actions speak for the type of character they possess. We live in a society where people are quick to judge based on the type of car we drive, or the career path we’ve chosen. It’s the building blocks in which stereotypes are built upon, something dangerous in and of itself.
So, another archetype in community has been established in recent years – the life coach. There’s been mentors, certainly. Authoritative figures others look up to as benchmarks for society to use as a guideline for behavior in morality or profession. But, we now live in a world where we question all forms of authority, from the President on down. If there is such a person to be named a “pillar” of his community, he’d be torn down as quickly as he is named.
A town’s police force was such a pillar not long ago. Little boys once dreamt of becoming firemen, astronauts or policemen. Was this only when we all met at the Grange, in a time when crew cuts and cuffed blue jeans were the fashion and Chuck Berry on the radio was all the rage?
Today, places like Ferguson and New York City have become flash points to the general perception people have about police in general. Instead of a group of brave men and women dedicating their lives to upholding the laws of the land, providing the very backbone to a safe and orderly society, they are often portrayed as storm troopers allied to a totalitarian government or simply just a bunch of rogue “Dirty Harrys” with ego problems. So, who can blame them for hiring a public relations firm to guide them with molding a positive public image?
The two unions representing the Bethlehem Town Police force has recently done just that. Over the past few months, signs in support of the police have sprung across town lawns before May flowers. It’s not that Bethlehem has experienced the same type of news as the aforementioned cities that have made headlines throughout the country. But, part of the issue is those who serve to uphold the law feel they’re being judged just as harshly for actions they did not commit.
Another part of the equation has to do with politics. Bethlehem’s police force is embroiled in a contract dispute with town government. Law enforcement officials, by nature, don’t walk the same path as government executives. The police union says the PR firm will help coach them through this process as well.
Our initial concern was whether or not the PR firm was to act as a liaison. Such a step would create a barrier rather than provide the transparency it seeks. This paper respects the members of the police and what they do for this community. If this past week is any indication, we don’t anticipate such a barrier emerging between our police force and this newspaper. It’s understood, the best means of maintaining transparency with the community you serve is being open with your community’s newspaper.
