James_Nov-Dec_2025_web - Flipbook - Page 15
officers receive the bare minimum
training needed to maintain state
certification.
GEORGIA LEGISLATION
IS NECESSARY
Bills like HALO laws— which
set a safe boundary around police,
fire, and EMS— will go a long way
to protect those still serving and
will hopefully encourage the decorated and dedicated law enforcement officers to stay in the profession. A bill aimed at doing just that
failed in committee in the Georgia
General Assembly in 2025. But the
Fraternal Order of Police remains
committed along with other public
safety groups to see this legislation
through to fruition to avoid the
tragedies that we read about on
the news.
Recruiting and retention in
law-enforcement agencies is not a
political “red or blue” issue. Providing a safe environment for people
to live, work and play is the most
essential and basic goal of government. When any private citizen lives
in fear of becoming a victim, their
government has simply failed them.
There is no other way to categorize
the travesty that occurs when any
man or woman must weigh their
personal freedom to move about
in their own communities against
their public safety.
Despite the rhetoric, despite
the statistics, despite the public
assaults and long funeral processions, dedicated men and women
throughout the United States still
make the decision to serve and
do so admirably. What they need
so much today, in addition to our
silent prayers, is our loud and vocal
support to ensure they are properly
funded, receive adequate rest at
the end of a long day, are properly
trained to answer the call of duty
whenever it may come and in
whatever form it exists, and treat-
ed fairly when those with political
agendas seek to capitalize and
raise money by demonizing them.
In 1910, Theodore Roosevelt
spoke of the man “in the arena”
who deserved our respect. Every
man and woman you see in a law
enforcement uniform today exists
in an arena where lions await.
Some of the loudest and most
ignorant in the crowd are cheering
against them and the decisions
they make to keep themselves alive
may be reviewed by their worst
critics. And these are critics who
would never have the courage to
take up the fight in their place. Let
us all hope that together we can
create an environment where those
willing to serve find us worthy of
their sacrifices.
Lance LoRusso, Esq. has over 25 years of
law enforcement experience, is the author
of Blue Line Lawyer, The Legal Blog for
Cops and is an attorney focused on law
enforcement issues.
N OV EM B E R /D EC E M BER 2025
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