If you asked me when I was in high school, why some countries are poor and some are rich, I’d probably have mumbled something about natural resources.  If you asked the same question while I was in college, I would have replied, “A freedom-oriented economic system.”  Ask me now and I’d add the importance of the Rule of Law.

In a nutshell, Rule of Law ensures that those who happen to have money or political clout play by the same rules as everyone else.  Our economic system doesn’t really matter if corruption is rampant or certain classes of citizens are immune from the law (see post-soviet Russia).

Police are often seen as the first line of defense (and unfortunately offense) as it pertains to the Rule of Law.

A few years ago, while visiting another country, I struck up a conversation with an individual.  He had an easygoing smile and patiently helped me with my limited language skills.  As we exchanged backgrounds, with me explaining that I was a police officer, there was an instant change.  He became very deferential, but of more concern to me was the fear in his eyes.  I felt betrayed by those who should have been his protectors and I hated it.

We’re fortunate that police in the United States, Idaho in particular, are largely trusted.  Yet even though blatant corruption is rare, we occasionally face challenges from those wanting special consideration.

News flash – If you get stopped for speeding and want to guarantee getting a ticket, start the conversation with, “Do you know who I am?”  Police officers around here pride themselves on following the Rule of Law.  If they stop a politically connected person, they delight in treating them the same as anyone else.  I’m behind that 100% and won’t compromise on this principle even if it meant my career.  Fortunately, it won’t because the Mayor gets it.

Some people are a little more subtle.  I had a man of influence call me that wanted an airport parking ticket to go away.  He started by telling me how much he’d supported the police in the past and then started ticking off names of officers that were close personal friends.  I said I was confident that he wouldn’t want me to extend him any special consideration, right?  Much chagrinned, he agreed and paid the fine.

Occasionally, a police officer will be faced with protecting someone’s constitutional rights when he ardently disagrees with it.  With firm determination to do the right thing, he will do his duty knowing that he is protecting the Rule of Law.

Above all else (our intelligence, our competence, our charm, and even our rugged good looks) the public expects us to be fair and that strikes to the heart of our core value of integrity and how we defend the Rule of Law ensuring that no one is above the law.

Check out the video out-takes of Sergeant Dave Frei and Joelyn Hansen who worked hard on a Public Service Announcement in an attempt to get people to keep their sidewalks clear of snow and cars.

It’s a good reminder – everyday – that freedom comes at a cost and there is always someone that must willingly keep constant vigil to maintain it.

Tomorrow is Veterans Day. Sometimes amongst the hustle and bustle of the upcoming holiday season, I fear it’s overlooked. So, I ask you not to forget. In fact, I ask you to thank those men and women that serve and have served our country each and every time you have the opportunity to do so.

The first time I eyed the Grand Teton, my quick assessment from the east showed the logic of climbing it via Disappointment Peak.  Guess what?  There’s a reason it’s called Disappointment Peak.  Legend has it that it got its name when a couple climbers made an attempt on the Grand Teton only to find themselves on a false summit, facing a 450-foot sheer drop.  Aside from a really long rope, the only solution is to backtrack thousands of vertical feet and essentially start over.

Have you ever climbed the wrong mountain – metaphorically speaking – such as wasting a lot of time and money on things that have no lasting value?   I’ve been on top of both the Grand Teton and Disappointment Peak but never on the same day.  I’ve also climbed my share of metaphorical “Disappointment Peaks”.

It seems like law enforcement is pulled a thousand different directions, which sometimes leads to climbing the wrong mountain.  Over the years, I’ve watched different police agencies branch into areas that I thought were a bit of a reach.

To keep us on track at the IFPD, we have a Vision and a Mission Statement.  It is a brief description of our core purpose and answers the question, “Why do we exist?”  Everything we do should point to our mission.  From a practical perspective, it helps keep us all on the same page.  It is the basis for strategic planning and very importantly, it acts as a measuring stick against which I apply my decisions.

Vision
A community safe from crime and disorder

Mission
We work with our fellow citizens to create a community safe from crime and disorder, and enforce the law in a manner faithful to the constitution of the United States of America.

Tomorrow, Wednesday Nov. 9 at noon, will be the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System.  It will involve radio and television and last up to 3 ½ minutes.  You should hear a message indicating it is just a test, but don’t panic if you don’t.

By the way, experts recommend being prepared for an emergency evacuation with food, water, and shelter for a couple days.  Are you ready?

This past weekend, our patrol officers made four arrests for the solicitation of prostitutes at a local motel.  It all started when officers came into contact with two Boise women during a traffic stop that were in town selling sex through an Internet ad.

This isn’t the first case of Internet prostitution and it likely won’t be the last. A couple of years ago, we arrested two women from Portland, Ore., who had placed an ad on Craigslist soliciting themselves to local residents. To their surprise, they happened to solicit an undercover police officer.

These examples on Internet soliciting certainly demonstrate how “the world’s oldest profession” has changed with the modern times and the age of technology.