The Colorado Springs Gazette final

Saddened by police vaccine response

I was deeply disappointed to read last week’s article about the refusal of many Colorado Springs Police Department officers to accept the COVID-19 vaccine or disclose their vaccine status to their employer. During my over 35year association with the department, it was my honor to work with a group of women and men who were hands down among the most professional, well-trained and caring people I ever met. As I had the opportunity to observe other police agencies at work throughout the country and see the problems some had with ill-trained, poorly led, or uncaring officers I was deeply proud that, with very few exceptions, that simply doesn’t happen here.

Through many CSPD assignments, I was constantly aware that whether it was a matter of simply sharing a heavy workload or saving a life, there was nothing my brothers and sisters would not do to care for each other and make whatever sacrifice was necessary to see that everyone went home safe at the end of the shift. In a job where it is not uncommon to witness events that will bring even work-hardened officers to tears, I can honestly say I never once saw an officer who failed to put their own life at risk to ensure the safety of their fellow officers or the public they willingly serve.

Given these experiences, I was dumbstruck by the public position claimed by so many CSPD officers who refuse to accept a highly researched and scientifically proven vaccine, and won’t even bother to wear a simple mask, either of which could save their own lives and, perhaps more importantly, the lives of every person they encounter. In a profession where actual facts and hard evidence are a bedrock of their working lives, that some deliberately stand in the way of public health, not to mention spread highly spurious conspiracy theories, is almost impossible to imagine. When millions of Americans from professional basketball players to minimum wage checkout clerks are willing to step up to protect each other, it is truly disheartening to hear that some of the officers I so greatly admire are placing their own convenience over the lives of their fellows. I don’t envy Chief Vince Niski and Mayor John Suthers the burden of dealing with this, but I respect their wisdom and have faith that they will reach the right decision.

While there are many words I could use to characterize this mess, at the end of the day it just makes me sad.

William D. Lidh

Colorado Springs

OP/ED

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2021-10-27T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-10-27T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://daily.gazette.com/article/281827171977150

The Gazette, Colorado Springs