Page 42 - FOP August 2021

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dents as the city’s ambassadors and believes taking care of their mental health is of the utmost importance.
“This isn’t just a one-way conversation,” Swiderski added. “This is a two-way conversation. We can get to know leader- ship better, and they can get to know us better. Why would we not want to take care of the ambassadors that I feel that they are, so that they can best serve the citizens of Chicago?”
The City Hall run comes less than one month after Swider- ski’s 26-hour, 80-mile run for Running for Blue Lives to raise awareness and help officers receive the resources they need to support their mental health. The blisters from that last run to all 22 Chicago police districts had just healed, but that was the least of his concerns. He sees progress, and that’s what mat- ters.
“Unfortunately, we’re still talking about it,” Swiderski clar- ified. “But at least we’re fighting against the stigma of mental health, meaning PTSD, meaning traumatic incidents, trau- matic brain injury.”
When asked what compels him to keep going, his answer is simple.
“Human life always matters,” Swiderski noted. “And espe- cially with what is happening now with mental health, with officers not feeling appreciated and not being respected for the work they do. The fact that the public perception is, no one’s backing you. The simple things, the saying ‘thank you.’”
Swiderski completed the 28-hour journey at noon on July 16. But surely, this is not the last time the officers will see him. Until every officer receives the help they need, he will not rest.
“[The officers’] jobs are attached to their identity,” Swider- ski offered. “Their jobs are attached to what it takes to care for their family. [We need to] take care of them.”
From left, Chicago Lodge 7 Recording Secretary Robert Noceda and Chicago Police Officers Zach Jenskovec, Nicole Rychtanek and Geo Zuniga come out to support Rob Swiderski, second from right, during his 28-hour walk/run around City Hall on July 15.
42 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ AUGUST 2021