Why the Past Year has Been So Hard for Law Enforcement Spouses

There is no doubt that this year has been hard on law enforcement officers across the country. While law enforcement has faced their own set of unique challenges, law enforcement spouses and families are also struggling for many reasons.

We literally watch our entire world, the love of our lives, walk into unknown situations every day WHILE so many scream their disdain for police.

Yes, they always have faced danger in some way, and not everyone will like law enforcement. But the media has helped these fears and challenges grow astronomically. Anti-cop rhetoric is now a part of daily discussion everywhere we turn especially from those who have NO CLUE about the profession.

As spouses and families, we experience a roller coaster of emotions on a daily basis. Honestly, there is not one emotion that sums up how we are feeling.

We still have moments of getting those butterflies as we see our loved ones suit up before they leave for work. We have pride in the noble profession that they chose to be a part of. Other days, I literally feel sick to my stomach knowing that he is judged just for wanting to help people.

But I would be lying if I said we also don’t have a lot of fear, sadness and hurt for the way they are portrayed and treated.

Fear that their police car feels like a moving target. Sadness that they now have to work harder with less resources and support.

Hurt because the friends (and for some of us even family) we once thought supported us, no longer do. Years of friendship erased because our spouses work in law enforcement.

And it doesn’t matter if you are a veteran spouse or newbie, we all feel these intense levels of emotions.

Then when we finally feel like we get a moment to breathe and the anti-cop rhetoric has slowed down, the hatred rears its ugly head again and we are back to intense days and nights.

Law enforcement spouses, this is what we need to remember:

While it certainly feels like law enforcement is hated and not supported world-wide, that is not true.

There are SO many more supporters out there than we think.

Unfortunately, if you are on social media or watch the news, then you will see more of the bad because headlines and tweets that promote negativity get more attention. They get a rise out of people and that is exactly what news outlets and celebrities want.

I am told every single week from people I know all the way to strangers, that they support law enforcement even if it doesn’t feel that way right now.

There is so much noise that if we let it, it will drown out the good and we will only hear the bad. Don’t let it, friends.

Don’t focus on all the noise, focus on the good that is all around us even if some days it is hard to find.

Focus on that text message from a neighbor that says “I am thinking of you.” Focus on the prayers you get from a pastor or close friend.

Will everyone understand what we are going through? No. But that’s okay. Instead focus on the ones who do understand and those who try.

Your officer and thousands more are bringing good, serving, and helping others each and every day and that should be celebrated; that should be enough.

If you need more encouragement, check out my journal for police wives and girlfriends on Amazon, The Peacemaker’s Wife. It provides you with journal prompts and quotes for navigating police wife life more positively.