The stress involved in police work has been well documented in countless studies across the country. Dealing with people who, for the most part, resent authority, is a daunting task in a free society. Officers have to be very careful not to violate civil rights, while striving to protect the community from predators. For most police officers, it’s easier to exercise their authority on someone who has committed a serious crime than on someone who has engaged in a temporary lapse of judgment, such as a minor traffic infraction. However, without traffic enforcement, the roadways would be even more dangerous than they currently are. Nevertheless, good public relations (as well as department policy) requires that officers show respect for the people they come into contact with. There are times when an officer will bark orders at a civilian during a minor disagreement without giving him/her a chance to explain.

     It happened recently during the Flower Mound Christmas Parade. A member of a local volunteer group was performing an annual function at the event when he was confronted by an officer who allegedly ordered him to move along. When the volunteer tried to explain that he was merely helping to facilitate the parade, as was the custom for many years, the officer threatened to take out his handcuffs if his order wasn’t obeyed immediately. As it turned out, the volunteer was also a former FM Council member. In that capacity, he actively campaigned for a one-quarter cent increase in the dedicated sales tax for increased police patrols. But, at the Council meeting subsequent to the parade incident, he asked that the Council consider initiating a Civilian Complaint Review Board to address matters of police abuse. While it would seem like a rush to judgment because of one incident, bringing attention to such behavior is very important, if only to inform police administrators of the need for greater attention to public relations.