POLICE FIND POSITIVE IMAGE HARD TO MAINTAIN

There is little disagreement that law enforcement is often a dangerous and frustrating occupation. When its image is tarnished, the job becomes even more difficult.

While officers in this region generally enjoy strong community support, nationally publicized scandals such as those which have plagued the Los Angeles Police Department in recent years are damaging to everyone who dons the badge.

"Every time Los Angeles does something, everyone else gets in trouble," said Cape Girardeau Police Chief Howard "Butch" Boyd.

Particularly troubling, according to Boyd, was the 1991 incident in which several Los Angeles police officers were videotaped beating motorist Rodney King. Distrust of officers became more common in the months that followed.

The latest black eye for the Los Angeles department came recently when Mark Fuhrman, a retired detective, testified in the O.J. Simpson murder trial. Fuhrman invoked his right against self-incrimination when questioned about alleged racism and the manufacture of evidence.

"Obviously Mark Fuhrman has a major problem which is kind of unfortunate because a high-profile case like that has an effect on all law enforcement," Cape Girardeau County Sheriff John Jordan said.

While Jordan thinks such incidents are highly isolated, administrators need to keep a tight rein on the actions of subordinates to keep such problems from developing.

Sgt. Brent Davis of the Missouri Highway Patrol notes a more cynical public perception of officers.

"There has been a deterioration over the years of attitudes," Davis said. "I can see subtle differences between when I started in 1975 and when I went off the road in 1991, but not anything drastic."

Image hasn't been an issue for his department, Jordan said.

"I think overall in most of the Bible Belt and the Midwest, most people have a good feeling about law enforcement," Jordan said. Involvement in the community does much to foster trust.

"We basically always work on the philosophy of community-oriented policing, that is what law enforcement around here has always been about," Jordan said.

The Cape Girardeau Police Department puts an effort toward going into local schools to meet with students. Also, officers patrol high-crime areas on foot to build rapport with residents so they will be less likely to resist officers in investigations and more likely to alert officers to problems.

If his correspondence is any indication, Boyd said the community holds the Cape Girardeau police in high regard, adding that mail praising his officers far outnumbers complaints. When someone does complain about an officer, Boyd handles the matter personally.

Jordan expects exemplary behavior from officers.

"We are held to a higher standard by most citizens," he said. "We have to be cautious on duty as well as in our private lives. I guess you could say you live in a glass house when you are a police officer."

When officers wield their power they must examine the circumstance carefully.

"My advice to younger officers is that you are a public servant," Jordan said. "The people you deal with are someone you work for, even if you are about to give them a citation" or arrest them.

If you want respect you have to show respect, he said. Even if an officer is in a situation where a horrible crime has been committed, he has to maintain professional detachment. Revulsion toward a suspect -- something most citizens would express -- is not a luxury afforded officers.

"You have to fight off your inner feelings," Jordan said.

Davis said respect is a two-way street.

"I let the violator set the pace," Davis said. "If I walk up and the violator says, 'What's your problem?,' we're going to have a problem."

Not surprisingly, the arrival of police isn't always welcome.

"To compare us to the fire department, everyone loves to see the fire department, but when we roll up on a scene only 50 percent of the people are happy to see our presence," Boyd said. "The victim is glad, but the suspect may not be so glad."

While no one wants a confrontation, if one of Boyd's officers is in a position where his safety is threatened, he has the green light to respond accordingly.

"I have a rule that if an officer can defend himself from someone using force against him, the officer is to defend himself until he completes the arrest," Boyd said. "Once the arrest is over, force is to stop."