The following letter was hand-delivered late last week to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. The writer indicates it was also delivered to Port Townsend’s Chief of Police.  We obtained this letter from a member of the law enforcement community.

Good morning,

I have written what has been on my mind. I have written it to get my thoughts out so | don’t have to dwell on them all the time. I wrote it as an anonymous person and give you full permission to share with whoever you feel could benefit from reading it. I don’t know if you or anyone else will agree with my writings but it makes me feel better to put it out there. Share it or shred it, it’s totally up to you. Please only share it if you think it will make a difference. It won’t hurt my feelings if you don’t. My hope is that if you do find it useful you can get it into the hands of those who make decisions for public safety. Commissioners, board members, whoever could benefit from hearing a different opinion. I have left one copy with the Sheriff and one with the Chief of Police in Port Townsend. 

Thank you

To anyone who will listen,

During these last few weeks I have found myself heartbroken and frustrated. Doing a hard job that I worked so hard to get is now demonized and perceived by many as unnecessary. I get the impression that the loudest of people are fighting to be judged as individuals and not by class, color, sex, etc. I can agree with this however it seems that the narrative includes all but those who choose to serve and protect. It appears as though some people have forgotten that we too are people from communities just like theirs. Everyone deserves to be judged as an individual based on their character and their actions. Everyone.

As I hear about racism and brutality I think hard about examples that I have seen. I have worked for two departments and with dozens of different officers/deputies. I have seen so many different situations and seen the best and worst of people in our community. What I have not seen is what is being portrayed by the media. No evil cops. No racism, no brutality. Only men and woman in uniform dealing with situations that they have been called to handle. Why is it that all who wear the badge must be shamed and ridiculed for the acts of a few? Does the act of one bad officer outweigh the acts of those who are good at their job? And do people know what that job is? Do people think our job consists only of what they see in the news or in movies? Do people even care to know? How many have taken the opportunity to ride with an officer?

Defund the Police. Who will replace us? Who is going to check on Grandma when you haven’t heard from her in a few days and you live in another state? Who is going to summon aid when she is found alive and injured? Who is going to investigate when she is not? Who is going to take the photos and document? Who is going to live with those images of death and decay? Who is going to tell the loved ones that she has left this world? Who is going to give them comfort in that moment when their world has changed? Who is going to look for your toddler who wandered away? Who is going to search miles of roadway when you are entrapped in an upside-down vehicle? Who is going to stop the bleeding until aid arrives? Who is going to search for the drunk driver who put you there? Who is going to stop that drunk driver before he runs into you? Who is going to interview that child who has lost their innocence to true evil? Who is going to live with that child’s story playing over and over in their mind? Who is going to do have the courage to complete this task again and again? Who is going to search for the Alzheimer’s patient who went for a walk in a winter’s night? Who is going to come when there is a bump in the night? Who is going to light up the darkness when you fear what lurks in it? Who is always going to be ready to help you?

I often remind people when I respond to a certain house or neighborhood that I was called to be there. There is likely a million other things I would rather be doing but someone asked for help and it is my job to serve. And when I am on patrol and not responding to a specific call I find myself like many others, spending time in certain neighborhoods. It is not because I have a prejudice towards anyone. It is purely because the best part of my job is preventing a situation before it starts. When you have been called to the same house or the same neighborhood dozens of times you feel the need to give it more attention. It is not because of the bad people in that particular neighborhood. It is because of the good people in that neighborhood who deserve our attention and deserve to feel safe.

With the badge that some of us pin on in the morning comes an accepted risk. This risk is outweighed by the pride that comes with knowing you stand between what is right and what is wrong. Protecting those who cannot protect themselves. A criminal accepts a certain amount of risk as well. This risk is outweighed by the possible gains taken from others with the least amount of work. A selfish choice to take from others so that they need not work for it themselves. This choice can take property. This choice can cause physical pain. This choice can cause mental pain. This choice can take innocence. This choice can take lives. This choice can destroy communities. This choice can destroy futures.

The risk associated with both paths are accepted on both sides. It seems that those who see it from a distance can have a difficult time processing this. Does an officer need to be shot to shoot? Do we need to be bloodied to fight back? Are our lives valued less because we choose to wear the badge? Is it an acceptable loss for you because we signed up for it? What about the criminal who also signed up for it? Do our families deserve to have us come home any less than those whose family member chose a different calling?

De-escalation is in everything we do. An officer does not go a day without de-escalation. It’s pure and simple. A million officers and millions of contacts with the public. Rarely do people call when they are at their best. Whatever situation they have been dealing with has escalated to the point of calling 911. De-escalation works. We know it and we get trained to do it. But the unfortunate fact is that it doesn’t always work. People can’t always accept reason. Mental health and substance abuse can cause this disconnect. De-escalation works until it doesn’t.

Violence and instinct. I can only think of few professions that require as much violence and instinct as law enforcement. In a moment’s notice a calm situation can turn to chaos. I have had people try to bite me, spit on me, swing at me. How do I describe the feelings you get when a 6’6 man who is spun up on meth decides he wants to slam his head into yours? The same man who just left his victim bloodied moments before, and you were somehow able to sneak him into handcuffs before anyone else got hurt. A split second does not allow you to think about that man’s skin color, sexual orientation, or political views. It only allows you the time to protect yourself or receive what is coming. Violence has many levels. Violence exists and at times it must be met with violence. Violence is not pretty in any form. It is a cause for chaos and at times the only solution to that chaos. It is not a fact that feels good. A perfect world would not contain this violence but we do not live in a perfect world. Some people create violence. Others are called to handle it.

I want each person who has a strong opinion about our current situation to ask themselves if they have the information needed to have a strong opinion. Do you know an officer or deputy? Have you ridden with them? Have you seen what they see? Do you care to have an informed opinion? Please ask us why we do what we do. Please

don’t assume when you can actually see it for yourself. And please remember that these are people from your community. And please consider the fact that however you feel about them and however you treat them, if you need them they will come.

Sincerey,

An individual from your community.

Jim Scarantino

Jim Scarantino was the editor and founder of Port Townsend Free Press. He is happy in his new role as just a contributor writing on topics of concern to him. He spent the first 25 years of his professional life as a trial attorney, then launched an online investigative news website that broke several national stories. He is also the author of three crime novels. He resides in Jefferson County. See our “About” page for more information.