Page 8 - FOP Magazine August 2020

First Vice President’s Report
Focus on the good you do
Every day in this city, we hear about all the bad things going on, whether it be the crazy num- ber of shootings, the number of murders or all the other violent horrible things that occur far too often in this once great city. If all we did was watch and listen to the media, we would think that we are in a total war zone. At this point in the year, I do not know anyone who would argue that point.
If we look at 2020 so far, we would be hard-pressed to say that anything good has happened. It would be very easy for someone in our profession to find themselves falling far- ther and farther down the rabbit hole. Nothing about 2020 has been normal. We have had to deal with the “Vid,” which changed our lives almost instantly. We as humans need inter- actions with other humans. We need to be able to embrace our friends and loved ones. Being able to do the simplest of things like hugging our parents, children, or spouses can make the worst of days feel better. In times like these, it is harder for us as police officers to find the goodness in the world around us.
Since the end of May, every one of you reading this has
had to make sacrifices. Our line of work is not unfamiliar with sacrifice. But with the constant bombardment of neg- ativity against us and the resurgence of escalated violence all around us, our mental and physical wellbeing becomes more and more important. It is easy for me to say this as I type away, but I know too well just how hard it is to put it into action. One thing about our job: It has a way of becom- ing our life. It slowly changes our perspective in life. Whether you are single or married, whether you have children or not, it changes us.
It is the changes that occur that make it even more difficult for us to focus on our own faults, our own issues. We spend so much time helping others with dealing with their problems that we fail to see what is happening in our own personal worlds. In recent years, our Department has made strides to try and help our members deal with the mental health aspect of our job. I know it can be better, and I assure you this is a topic that I take very seriously. Our mental wellbeing is so vital in how we deal with our relationships with others in our lives that it is something we all need to work on. It is impera- tive for all of us to help each other break the cycle of darkness that surrounds us. Today’s world loves to focus on the evil in it. We love to talk about how we are better than this group or that. It helps us feel better about our own inadequacies. But this does nothing to effect change in our state of wellbeing. It only masks the issues. We need to start focusing on the good we do on a consistent basis for our minds to begin to really see the positive.
So now for the positive. I would like to say thank you to all of my active brothers and sisters who have been tasked with trying to hold this city together. These last two months have not been easy. The mental and physical strain on your minds and bodies has been overwhelming. You are not alone, and you are not forgotten. Even though I may not be on the front lines with you in person, my thoughts and prayers are always there. I, as well as everyone up here in the Lodge, am ex- tremely proud of your continued hard work and dedication. You are all doing amazing work, and you should stand tall, knowing that it is only because of you that this city hasn’t completely gone under. Don’t let the morons in charge bring you down; keep your heads up and stick together as one. We shall get through this together, and brighter days are on the way. My phone is always on, and I am always here, should you need to reach out.
Keep fighting the good fight for those in this city who need you to protect them. It is for those who cannot defend them- selves that we put on the uniform every day. Wear it proudly.
MICHAEL METTE
8 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ AUGUST 2020