I write out of kindness.

Dear Ed
This is your chance. You have a divided department that can be saved. Unfortuneately you will need to use the virus for help.
You are a man of God. You are a believer. I have seen you pray in public. You also know that god works in mysterious ways. Over the past few weeks we have all had to go through a sickness that no-one ever predicted. It has caused panic world wide. We all need to help in this matter to save lives.

You sir are also in a situation where people will look upon you to make the right decisions. No one will look upon your Sergeants, Lieutenants, or Majors to make the decision that only you can make. Why is this your chance? What you have created over the past few years has separated a family of men and women who have grown together as well as work together. They all have the respect of each other. Unfortunately many have divorced us and chose to go to what they call a better place. Some are in the process of leaving and encouraging others to leave with them. They leave not for money as you believe, but they leave for a better opportunity and more stable and professional atmosphere.

Remember the days when you were a Major. A man named ****** treated with full disrespect. You believed that he feared you. What is the truth. Remember the days when you were not permitted to be a part of meetings. The feeling of being disrespected by a superior is disturbing.

Ed you are a good man and have the ability to show who you really are. This is a time to heal wounds. Bring your people together. Stop walking through the halls of the station and greeting only those that have "kissed the ring." Stop ignoring and disrespecting those who have worked hard for you when you weren't the Chief. Bring your people together.

Imagine if Al Golden, Randy Shannon, or Manny Diaz disrespected you. You work for them not as just a friend or security, but also this is your family. If they disrespected you in any way, would you want to continue to be there for them or would you look elsewhere or perhaps just walk away. Imagine if the Athletic Director informed you that he no longer need you and something that you love so deeply has taken that from you.

Tim McGraw sings a song named "Stay Humble and Kind." Listen to the words. Its touching Ed. It will make you think twice about the people who work for you. You can heal wounds with words and actions. You can save this Department.

I just recently heard that the contract offers were taken off the table. Is this the right time to do so. Are you as the leader of many going to allow this to happen. How about a pause in action instead of just taking it all away.Let this traumatic virus pass before you allow this to happen. Your players are depending on you. Make the right called when your days are over here, maybe the officers will escort you off the field, holding you on their shoulders.

Again I write this as an act of kindness. For those of you who read this, I only hope you agree. I won't send this as an email because of my fear of retaliation by those who won't understand. If you are with my thoughts, Copy it. Send it. Post it.

I pray for all of us to get through this life event. As I said before "God works in mysterious ways." Its pretty neat to see more families outside, riding bikes and walking together. Neighbors sitting in front yards together talking and sipping wine.
The smell of barbecues all weekend. Is this what god intended.

Wouldn't be nice to see a large group working as a police department again. That dividing line gone that separates our department. A Chief and a Major passing by each other and shaking hands, instead of turning their heads in the opposite direction.

Its in your hands now. We either become a family again or we become even more separated with more officers leaving.

This to shall pass. My question is simple. When this is over, do I call you Chief?. Or do I just call you Ed?