The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry Newsletter
&
Bible Study
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Fellow officers,
sheepdogs,
warriors,
spouses, supporters and ALL:
While I've been contemplating this week's profession-focused Bible study for some time, God used Sunday's events in downtown Denver to put a huge exclamation mark on it.
So what happened? In brief (and to the point of our study), many Denver officers who were supposed to protect those attending a pro-police rally (that's right -- a rally FOR the police) against attacking Antifa and BLM agitators -- instead obeyed a truly UNethical and wicked order to "stand down." Thankfully, there were a precious few who stood UP, upheld their oath, stayed true to our Law Enforcement Code of Ethics and courageously refused that order (see
"DPD Stand Down Order at Denver Pro-Police Rally"
).
It is therefore our
Code of Ethics
that I'm pressed to explore in this week's Bible study (from a biblical worldview, of course). Scroll down to
A CHRISTIAN Law Enforcement Officers Code of Ethics.
And speaking of these newsletters and Bible studies, here's last week's in case you missed it (so important that we get this right):
Understanding "Rest in Peace."
As always, I re-post these newsletters on my social media feeds, including
Facebook
(both my
personal
and
Centurion Ministry
pages and
group
sites),
Twitter,
and on our
website
as well (usually some delay with the latter). I also encourage you to share these newsletters with others (with a
"Code 3"
sense of urgency, mind you) as part of our
Great Commission
"call for service."
MC
_____________________
RESOURCES
PRAYER REQUESTS
(1) Continue to pray for our nation and our God-ordained profession in light of the "last days" issues we're facing.
(2) Retired Chicago PD Lt.
Chuck Urgo
writes,
"
Chicago will hold a pro-police rally Saturday afternoon in Grant Park at the Columbus statue, the site of last week's riot. Pray for the officers who are assigned as well as the good citizens who will be supporting the police."
(3) Pray for the Denver and Minneapolis police departments (and others in similar situations) reeling from horrific, cowardly "leadership" at the top of their agencies.
UPCOMING EVENTS
*Have a prayer request, event or announcement you would like included here? Need help/prayer?
Email me
and I'll include them here.
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A CHRISTIAN Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
Applying a biblical (God's) worldview to our iconic Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
__________
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There was a time in our
God-ordained profession
when reciting and even memorizing the
Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
was part of every academy curriculum and many graduation ceremonies. It is still my foundational text when I teach ethics and leadership classes to law enforcement students and officers, and a copy remains on my office wall. It is (or should be) foundational for every officer and every police agency.
Sadly, many officers today have never heard it and far too many fail to abide by it (especially by those in positions of "leadership"). Moreover, the original code, as first published in 1957, has been "PC'd" (made "politically correct" -- an oxymoron if there ever was one) in some "modern" versions so as to not "offend" anyone (much like how the Gospel gets watered-down or compromised in many "modern" translations and so-called "relevant" or
"emergent"
churches).
Here in Denver, the consequences of failing to adhere to our Code (on multiple fronts) became national news this week:
Denver Police Retreated at Rally.
Thankfully, a courageous, ethical servant-leader/warrior broke rank (disobeyed an unethical order) and, along with an equally courageous few who followed him, came to the aid of those being attacked by domestic terrorists.
I truly believe that our "falling away" from both our law enforcement and biblical "Code of Ethics" is part of why we find ourselves in such a predicament as a profession and as a nation today.
Accordingly, let's start by reciting our original code (NOT the watered-down, "NIV" [Nearly Inspired Version]) together here as an introduction to this study:
Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
As a Law Enforcement Officer, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all men to liberty, equality, and justice.
I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn, or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others.
Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.
I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities, or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice, or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities.
I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of the police service. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself
before God
to my chosen profession… law enforcement.
* The original Code was developed and written by legendary California police leader Gene Muehleison in 1957 when he was with the San Diego Police Department. I find it hard to believe that Gene was not a believer (see below). Talk about a legacy!
So then what does this Code look like biblically (the Bible being the ultimate "Code of Ethics" and policy and procedure manual)? Let's open our
"Code Book"
and break it down:
(1) As a
Christian
law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind... --
Galatians 5:13
(2) ... to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; ...liberty...justice. --
Psalm 82:3-4,
Isaiah 1:17
(3) I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all... --
Philippians 6:10
(4) ... maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn, or ridicule --
Deuteronomy 31:6
(7) ... Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life --
Proverbs 10:9
(8) ... Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret... --
Proverbs 20:19
(9) ... I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities, or friendships to influence my decisions. --
Titus 2:7-8
(10) ... no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals... --
Romans 13:1-4;
(11) ...
I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of the police service. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals,
dedicating myself before God
to my chosen profession... --
Acts 10
(Cornelius the Centurion -- a 1st Century "police" Sergeant or Lieutenant, and the namesake of this ministry).
(12) Finally here (as if this wasn't enough), if I could pick out one passage of Scripture that best represents a parallel
"Christian Code of Ethics,"
it would be
Romans 12.
Now understand that these passages of Scripture just barely scratch the surface -- see
What Does the Bible Say About Law Enforcement
-- but you can clearly see that we have a powerful biblical nexus to both our profession and our
Code of Ethics.
That said, without first being radically
born again
in Christ (a "Christian" as God alone gets to define it), an officer seeking to truly fulfill our Code will almost certainly fail (a secular critic of the Code, Dr. Michael Davis, wrote, "
Any officer who takes this mandatory language seriously will quickly learn that he cannot do what the code seems to require. He will then either have to quit the force or consign its mandates to Code Heaven.").
Davis is right! In truth, and because of a 3-letter word --
SIN
-- that has infected not only our profession but the whole human race, successfully living out both our Christian walk and the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics is all but impossible unless we are first living
"all in"
for Christ under the power of the Holy Spirit that indwells ever genuine believer (Is that you?). One has but to look at our horrific issues of adultery, fornication, alcoholism, suicide, etc. (let alone what happened with officers in Denver and Minneapolis) to understand this truth.
"You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil-the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God."
(Ephesians 2:2)
Friend, hear me on this. We are living in what are likely the most difficult times for us as a profession. We who are
"in Christ"
must be leading the charge against the lack of both true, Christian
servant-leadership
and
servant-warriorhood
within
our ranks and the wickedness coming against us from
without.
This again is why -- in part -- I have such a strong Code 3 (lights and siren) sense to urgency to share the
hope of Christ
with those serving in our mission field of a profession (again, most officers do not have a saving faith).
Finally, understand again that our service and so-called "good" works as police officers
CAN'T save us,
and unless we as Christian officers serve in
agape
love, our service is ultimately without meaning for others
(1 Cor. 13).
Accordingly, if you're reading this and have either never surrendered in faith the
Lord of lords
and Chief "Cop of cops," or you've fallen away and want to get right, NOW is the time to do so. Scroll down to the
Know God?
section below!
Amen?
Reach out
if I lost you or you have questions! Love you guys!
MC
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KNOW GOD?
(1) Do you continue to hold to an utterly false hope that you can "earn" or otherwise "badge" your way into heaven and escape hell because you consider yourself to be a "
good
" cop or a
"good person"
(the "I'm good" mess)? That you can be "good" enough without knowing Christ as Lord and Savior? That mere "belief" is enough to "save" you? That you somehow "deserve" heaven because of your so-called "good" service in law enforcement? Take the
Good Person Test
and see how you do!
(2) Jesus' first recorded words in His earthly adult ministry included,
"Repent and believe in the Good News...
" --
Mark 1:15.
To
repent
is a "180" -- a complete,
radical
change of mind and heart as it relates to our sin (as God defines it). To "believe" (
pisteuo
in the original Greek) as Jesus intends it here is to wholeheartedly trust and
surrender
your life to Christ in faith in the same way we have "faith" that our body armor will do its job against the rounds it is intended to stop; that a well-maintained weapon will function properly when used in against criminals intent on destroying us or others; or that our parachute will open when it is supposed to on a combat jump (we stake our very lives on it)! For more, see
What does it mean to believe in Jesus?
(3) This same concept of "
believe
" (the saving kind) is further revealed in
John 3:1-21
where Jesus says, "
... you must be born again
." Again, note our Lord's emphasis on the word "
must
" (not "may" or "should" or even "someday"): this is ultimately the life-saving AND life-changing personal relationship (and NOT "religion") with Jesus Christ that I stress here every week (see
What does it mean to be a born again Christian
?). HINT: there is no other kind.
(5) Need more? Then check out this powerful, short video message that also comes to us from
Travis Yates
:
Cops and Salvation
(6) Have you now said "yes" to Jesus as Lord and Savior but are wondering what to do next? The "now what" is also an important part in dealing with the issues that can lead to suicide and sin in general. Click on,
Now what?
MC
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ABOUT US
The
Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry
is
a national, FCPO-affiliated, non-denominational,
evangelical
Christian outreach to our own in law enforcement. These newsletters and profession-focused Bible studies are part of this effort and past editions can be found on our website and social media feeds. Our desire is (1) to be used of God to
WIN
the lost in our profession to a saving faith in Christ; (2) to
DISCIPLE
the Christian officer; (3)
SEND
out discipled (trained) officers to "repeat" 1 and 2; (4) to
SUPPORT
police marriages; (5) to transform our God-ordained profession by infusing it with all-in Christian officers; and (6) to
IMPACT
(reduce) police suicides and PTS with the
Cure
found in Christ Jesus alone. In keeping with these 6 points, please feel free to adapt these messages for your own individual or group use and
share
them with others.
The
Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers
(FCPO-USA)
exists to provide biblical support ("backup"), accountability and
iron sharpens iron
fellowship for Christian officers first in the U.S. and throughout the world as well. Our Denver-area FCPO chapter (
FCPO Chapter #217
) is a
Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry
affiliate. Locally, we meet approximately twice a month in the south Denver-Metro suburb of Highlands Ranch for profession-focused, sound (uncompromising) Bible study, prayer and servant-warrior fellowship (and spouses are both welcome and encouraged to attend with their LEO).
Contact me
for complete details.
The
Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry
and FCPO-Metro Denver (
Chapter 217
) are led by veteran Police Officer, Chaplain and Evangelist Michael "MC" Williams
.
MC is an active (32-years and counting) sworn police officer/investigator and sought-after instructor and speaker at churches (including the popular
Centurion Church Security Seminar
), retreats and both police and civilian training conferences and seminars around the country. Contact MC via
email
for details on how to book him for your event.
Finally, we covet your prayer and financial support for this vital ministry outreach. Reference the latter, you can give in two ways:
(1) Send a check to the address posted below.
or
(2) Go the the
FCPO giving page
and designate "
FCPO #217
" or the "Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry."
* All donations are tax-deductible.
The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry
, P.O. Box 630854, Littleton, CO 80163 |
Email Address
| (720) 371-1022 |
Website
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