We can kick at it, curse it and struggle
against it – or embrace it. Change is seldom welcomed but it’s
always coming! We can use it to make ourselves stronger – and
smarter – and better prepared.
Change is scary. But it can show us how resilient and creative
we can be. True strength and courage and leadership, as we all
know, is forged in hardship and struggle.
Great! Bring it on! We are an incredible group of dedicated
people with innovative ideas and a passion to help and protect
our members. Our commitment to the ideals of the PBA will ensure
the continued growth of the North Carolina Division.
Opportunities abound for us. Let’s seize them and squeeze all we
can from them.
The Police Benevolent Foundation recently awarded four
scholarships to deserving young people who are the sons and
daughters of our members. It is gratifying and reassuring to see
these great kids. Let’s continue to encourage this and find
other ways to help the next generation.
We have steering committees in place for several new chapters.
Local leadership is our strength and no one knows the challenges
and problems of members like the people they work with.
Several other chapters have had recent elections and there’s a
lot of new faces in positions of leadership in our Division.
Welcome! Your new responsibilities have put you in a position to
really impact the future of our organization. We need you – and
your ideas – and your passions!
Our membership continues to grow across the Division. This is a
testament to the services we provide to our members. The numbers
also mean we’re willing to share our beliefs with new officers.
Let’s make sure we keep that “member focus” as we move forward.
We can’t move forward, however, until we acknowledge the losses
of this year. In the first six months of 2007 101 law
enforcement officers were killed in the United States. This
number represents the highest mid year total since 1978. These
tragedies include both traffic related fatalities as well as
fatal shootings.
In North Carolina we have particular reason to grieve since we
have lost eight officers. This unenviable distinction places us
second only to Texas who had 13 officers killed. We should pause
a moment to remember all our fallen brothers and sister, and
their families.
We all know the dangers of our profession. These sobering
numbers are another reason to redouble our efforts for our
fellow officers and their families.
I hope all your tours of duty are safe ones.
~Lou Ellen TAYLOR
NC Division President