A little closer to home, the Arroyo Grande Police Department sent officers to Sacramento to attend memorial services honoring peace officers who died while serving their community. Lately peace officers have been under the eye of scrutiny, and some perhaps for good reason. Like any other professional, there are good police officers and there are bad ones. But those officers who are trying to protect and serve their community through a positive and effective approach far outweigh those who abuse their power. Being a police officer is a tough job, and it takes a special kind of person to be one.
Somebody has to.
Alex Valencia is a former peace officer for the Arroyo Grande Police Department and Chairman of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.