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There’s no better feeling for Chicago Police Officers than standing alongside each other to form that thin blue line.
A FINE LINE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 39
everybody else first before we think about our own safety.”
Talk up and down the line suggests things can’t get any worse. But such sentiment seems to elicit the follow-up line of, “You
never know.”
Be sure of this: There’s no way to break this line.
“We’re only getting stronger the more they want to push,”
submits Dave Hoffman who works for the community safety unit that has been standing alongside central bikes. “We know how to come together to hold the line.”
Still, what is that glue that thickens the blue?
“It’s a brotherhood, it’s camaraderie. You got to be a cop to know it,” Hoffman explains. “It’s what we do for the community and what we do for the people. But we also do it for ourselves and for our families. It’s the service that enables you to stay fo-
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cused, stay positive.”
The end of the line could result from the City or the Depart-
ment not giving officers the resources needed to hold the line. Or not letting them use the equipment they do have for fear it could be termed unnecessary use of force and not promote de-escalation.
“No matter what it is, we’re going to get it done,” confirms John Washevich, a detective with the criminal registration unit who is approaching 25 years on the job. “That’s what Chicago Police do. If they don’t let us use the equipment, we’re still going to be out there doing what needs to be done. And knowing we have the union fighting for everything we do makes it tolerable when you’re out there in the crap.”
On the line
Facing the continuing prospect of working up to 28 or more
40 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ SEPTEMBER 2020
