From Mark's Desk

When people see someone working in law enforcement, emergency services, catastrophe response, or investigation, it’s easy to assume that person is made of steel. That stress, tragedy, and human suffering don’t affect them the way they affect everyone else. But that’s not reality. It never has been.

The work I’ve done across this country, EMS calls, violent case investigations, catastrophic losses, and situations involving tragedy and high stakes, comes with weight. And I don’t say that for sympathy. I say it because anyone responsible for protecting lives, navigating crisis, or walking into the aftermath of pain needs to understand this: You must create time and space to decompress to release the pressure and keep your heart intact.

There were times in catastrophic deployments where everything around me was destruction, Homes ripped apart, families displaced, people staring at what used to be theirs, not knowing what to do next. There were also investigations where the circumstances were dark, disappointing, or heavy. And after dealing with that level of human experience day after day, I needed what I called “unwind sessions” time to clear the mind, breathe, process, and reset so I stayed grounded.

Officers carry weight with them. A lot of it. From the domestic disputes, the trauma scenes, overdoses, violent encounters, child-related cases, and every moment where the darkest parts of human nature come into view. Those experiences are not supposed to be shrugged off. They are supposed to be handled with humanity. If a person ever loses their compassion in this line of work, they need another job.

Compassion is not a weakness it is the core ingredient of real service. It’s what ensures people are treated like human beings instead of case numbers. It’s what separates lawful authority from cold enforcement. I’ve seen excellent officers who are dedicated to the community and carry themselves with professionalism, empathy, and respect. They serve with the right spirit. But they’re also human and when you deal with the hardest parts of society, you need healthy practices that keep you balanced. That’s why communication, mental reset, and decompression matter.

Leaders need to understand that. Agencies need to encourage it. And officers need to feel supported in it. Mental health isn’t a buzzword. It’s a requirement. Because whether you’re pulling someone from a wreck, walking into a home destroyed by a storm, interviewing a victim, delivering hard news, or responding to a violent situation, your ability to act with clarity, self-control, empathy, and professionalism is directly tied to your mental balance. The community deserves officers who think clearly, communicate calmly, respond professionally, and bring compassion into every interaction. And officers deserve leadership that values their humanity as much as their badge.