To Protect and Serve

Do you remember the day when police cars boldly displayed the slogan “TO PROTECT AND SERVE” on cruiser doors? Compassion is a rare quality, especially among public servants; particularly among public servants who wield power.

Just as I say that, here’s a breath of mountain-fresh air from Aspen, Colorado.

City manager fires policewoman who used taser on homeless woman

"Your decision to use a Taser on an elderly woman who posed no immediate threat to you, herself, or anyone else in the community displays a complete lack of understanding of the values, philosophy and mission statement of the Aspen Police Department," City Manager Steve Barwick wrote in a memo delivered to (the fired patrolwoman).

The values, philosophy and mission statement of the Aspen Police Department sound venerable; where can I get hard copies?

Does anyone know if Aspen Police cars still display the slogan, “To Protect and Serve”?

I wonder if the City Manager of Aspen has any ideas on how to affect compassion and empathy in our public servants?

Compassion is a rare quality; it needs to be initiated and encouraged by City leaders, and executed by public employees. Compassion is one aspect of the workplace that doesn’t just trickle down.