On National Law Enforcement Day I argue for rewarding competence, restoring mission focus across agencies, and pushing back against politicized optics that undermine public safety.
Monday marked National Law Enforcement Day, and I’m thankful for officers who actually protect our communities. For too long, parts of law enforcement—from local sheriffs to federal agencies—have been pushed off their mission by politics and theater instead of solid policing. Citizens want officers who can secure order, not perform for cameras.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Border Patrol are under fire, but the broader issue runs deeper than headlines. In many cities, especially blue ones, criminal justice has been hollowed out by policies that prize optics over outcomes. The result is less enforcement and more danger for everyday people.
The consequences are real and tragic. The alleged killer in the August murder of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska had reportedly been arrested and released 14 times before that slaying, demonstrating a system that sometimes rewards repeat offenders. That kind of failure erodes community stability and shakes public confidence in institutions meant to keep us safe.
Modern law enforcement often gets judged on vibes and optics under the guise of equity and compassion, yet those priorities do nothing to stop criminals. When dramatic cases like the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping surface, we learn the hard way that we need officers who can deliver results, not just manage appearances. People need professionals who can act decisively when lives are at stake.
The recent Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office recruitment video shows exactly what happens when style replaces substance. It isn’t funny; it’s worrying when a recruiting message looks more like a social media skit than a showcase of readiness and training. If you want public trust, you demonstrate competence, not choreography.
A well-trained bailiff or transport officer can save lives, and we’ve seen that play out in courts across the country. Competence in those roles isn’t optional because unexpected, dangerous situations arise without warning. Training, situational awareness, and physical readiness are basic requirements for public safety jobs.
Yet the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Department greets visitors with slogans about “Equal Justice, Compassion and Opportunity” while failing to communicate a commitment to readiness and protection. That language may sound noble, but it’s not the same thing as ensuring officers can do the hard work the public expects. Messaging matters, but actions matter more.
There’s also the matter of leadership who seem confused about the role of their office in our constitutional system. When an elected sheriff can’t clearly identify the branches of government and where his office fits, that signals a dangerous lack of civic literacy at the top. Leadership should model competence and chain-of-command clarity, not uncertainty.
From the chief of police down to courthouse staff, Americans want professionals focused on combating crime and protecting citizens. In cities like Philadelphia and Charlotte, North Carolina, recent examples show a departure from that focus. Officers and leaders who actually want to serve are being pushed aside while political theater takes center stage.
Some solid officers leave for greener pastures, and departments lose institutional knowledge when politics drive talent out. Former Grand Rapids Chief Eric Winstrom left because politicizing policing created obstacles to public safety, an observation that won’t surprise anyone who values effective law enforcement. His point: high-performing cities have high-performing police departments.
So, when you politicize policing, that’s a recipe for failure. […] Show me a city across the country anywhere, that is high-performing, successful city, and I will show you a high-performing, successful police department. Those two go hand-in-hand, and intelligent politicians understand that.
These dynamics play out in Washington too, where DHS funding becomes a political football instead of a sober discussion about protecting the country. Lawmakers who trade security for headlines are failing the public and emboldening those who would make enforcement impossible. Funding and support should be driven by safety, not partisan scorekeeping.
Most rank-and-file officers, whether in corrections, courts, or patrol, want to make their communities better places. They deserve leaders who reward competence and equip them to do the job. Prioritizing enforcement, training, and disciplined leadership will restore public safety without sacrificing fairness.
Editor’s Note: Thanks to President Trump, illegal immigration into our great country has virtually stopped. Despite the radical left’s lies, new legislation wasn’t needed to secure our border, just a new president.
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