The Berea City Council unanimously adopted a resolution Tuesday night recognizing the Berea Police Department for outstanding service and many contributions to the city.
The initial draft of the resolution referred to “protests and violence toward our many law enforcement agencies across the nation,” which has occurred in the wake of the death of George Floyd at the hands of police officers in Minneapolis. But Berea City Councilman John Payne gained unanimous approval for an amendment to strike that phrase, asserting it diminished the recognition given to Berea’s officers. Berea City Council member Emily LaDouceur also expressed concern that the passage was coded language criticizing Black Lives Matter protests, and that it was obliquely disparaging of the right of free speech. Instead, Payne proposed another amendment that instead recognized specific accomplishments of the Berea Police Department to protect the public. That version gained unanimous approval.
The final draft of the adopted resolution, read by Berea Mayor Bruce Fraley, was as follows:
“Whereas, the Berea Police Department has made and continues to make important changes in policy and policing including the prohibition of chokeholds, addition of diversity training, and the hiring of a social services coordinator among other improvements; and
Whereas, we recognize and honor the selfless and heroic service provided by the men and women of the Berea Police Department, and;
Whereas, we rely on law enforcement officers to keep our neighborhoods safe, enforce our laws, and respond in times of crisis; and
Whereas, every day law enforcement officers face the threat of violence and danger and routinely put their lives in jeopardy to defend others, potentially resulting in injury, disability or even death; and
Whereas, these men and women by their distinctive service and dedicated efforts as law enforcement officers have earned our highest respect and deepest gratitude;
Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the City Council of the City of Berea, Kentucky, reiterates its continuing support and recognizes the selfless and heroic service of law enforcement officers of the Berea Police Department and their invaluable contributions in upholding justice, enforcing the rule of law, and protecting the innocent.”
During council comments, Berea City Councilman David Rowlette expressed his appreciation for the resolution, and he encouraged citizens to think about the risks law enforcement officers and their families face every day.
“I think often times we take for granted when we leave for work that we’ll see our spouse at the end of the day,” Rowlette said. “Unfortunately these folks work in an environment where they realize that they may not go home and see their spouse at the end of a shift. And I think until we’ve walked in their place, and especially in the place of their spouses and children, we cannot imagine the concerns and the worries that they have. So not only do I want to support our local law enforcement officers, but the families of those officers.”
With that in mind, Rowlette urged citizens to turn out for an August 1 march to Berea City Hall in support of local law enforcement officers. “We need to continue to show we appreciate and value their [police] contribution to our local community. And in my opinion, those folks are grossly underpaid,” Rowlette said.
