It is the police officer - not the poet,
who guards our freedom of speech.

It is the armed police officer,
training in the use of deadly force,
ready to defend the innocent against aggression
and the weak against the violent,
even with his life if necessary.
It is the police officers who preserves your rights
to keep and bear arms.

It is the police officer - not the politician,
who insures freedom of assembly.

It is the police officer - not the campus organizer,
who safeguards the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the police officer - not the defense attorney,
who reads Miranda warnings and informs defendants
of inalienable rights.
It is the police officer who is willing to disclose
all evidence,
even evidence which may weaken a case,
in order to protect the innocent and insure
that justice shall prevail.

It is the police officer - not the preacher,
who safeguards our liberties,
including freedom of religion.

It is the police officer - not the judges,
who seeks out witnesses,
thus preserving rights of the accused.

It is the Police officer,
who salutes the flag,
who serves beneath the flag,
and who coffin is draped by the flag,
who allows the protester to burn the flag.