"In this phase of your academy training, you are going to practice making contact with suspects who may be armed. Remember, use your 'big boy or big girl' voice to get their attention."

"O.K. Blake, you go first."

"Uh, sir, uh, stop and uh put your hand on your head please."

"No, no, no. Use your big boy voice. He needs to know you are in control. If not, he may sense your hesitancy and try to harm you."

"Sir, yes sir."

I can recall going through that scenario multiple times in training but when confronting a "real" potentially armed person, the stakes can be much higher because one mistake can be devastating. From experience, taking immediate control with effective and firm commands is of vital importance.

But here's an interesting thought—if a suspect becomes uncooperative and will not obey an officer’s commands, is it ever proper for an officer to use foul, vulgar or obscene language to get a suspect to comply?

I happened to be speaking with a law enforcement officer (also a Christian) who worked in a jail/prison environment. On a somewhat frequent basis he would encounter "knuckleheads" who would not follow prison/jail rules or directions. He told me the only way he could get their attention was to use profanity-laced orders because it was the only language they understood.

I suggested that a Christian never needs to resort to using any type of foul or profane language and this was his response, "You just don't understand."

Before I became a Christian law enforcement officer in 1981, my first seven years as a street cop were laced with the use of profane, obscene and vulgar language which I felt were an effective means of communication. I occasionally worked with a few co-workers who never used profanity and watched them with eagerness as they seemed to have great success (I later learned they were Christian cops). After becoming a Christian, the first thing that God cured was my "foul" mouth. I soon discovered that treating a suspect with firmness, fairness, tact and tenacity coupled with ones previous training, a law enforcement officer will almost always be the victor.

I later read these biblical instructions in the use of proper speech: "Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone, (Colossians 4:6 NLT) AND "Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. (Ephesians 4:29 NLT, also see Proverbs 18:20-21)

Nonetheless, from experience I knew, as a law enforcement officer, that I would encounter suspects who would not listen to any commands and had to be dealt with accordingly—sometimes forcefully. Fortunately, the Bible addressed that issue, too. Ya see, the Bible permits a law enforcement officer to use reasonable force necessary to bring someone to justice. (Romans 13:1-5) Remember, a law enforcement officer (using their training and equipment) is to BRING the person to be punished (before a judicial system) and NOT CAUSE the punishment.

But did you also know that a law enforcement officer (who is also a parent) is to use these same principles at home? For instance, did you know the Bible specifically instructs "fathers" about their use of words and actions toward their children? Check this out: "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4) AND "Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged." (Colossians 3:21)

The Bible even takes this "fair treatment" principle into the workplace addressing employees, supervisors and managers, "Slaves (employees), obey your masters; be eager to give them your very best. Serve them as you would Christ...Slave owners (supervisors and managers) must treat your slaves (employees) right, just as I have told them to treat you. (Ephesians 6:5-9, also see 1Peter 2:13-18)

I wonder what would happen if every law enforcement officer, supervisor, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, chief, etc. took those words to heart? Would that revolutionize law enforcement?

As father's are to be the head of the family exercising wisdom coupled with proper speech, so law enforcement officers, supervisors and managers are also to lead by example by treating their peers and subordinates with dignity and respect. (1Peter 2:13-18, Ephesians 6:5-9)

By the way, did you know God has a definition for parents or law enforcement officers who heed the above words of advice? He/She is called a "peacemaker." (Matthew 5:9)

Remember to "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6)

Would you agree these words can assist the men and women of law enforcement to continue to develop and maintain
INTEGRITY, RESPONSIBILITY, OBEDIENCE AND NOBILITY?

Will YOU continue to be that I.R.O.N.g u y ?