The Badge and the Burden
By Devonta Sullivan
Hello everyone,
I want to take a few minutes to talk about something real. Something uncomfortable. Something powerful.
This message isn’t just for law enforcement—it’s for anyone who’s ever been misunderstood, cast aside, or told they don’t belong because they chose to speak the truth.
There are others—strong voices within law enforcement—who’ve faced backlash for standing up for what’s right. Two names I deeply respect: Dominic Izzo and Former Sheriff Victor Hill. Both challenged the system from within. Both had the courage to say, “This isn’t how it should be.”
Dominic Izzo called out corruption—not to shame the profession, but to protect it. To demand better. To remind us that the badge should never be used as a shield for wrongdoing.
Sheriff Victor Hill—whether or not you agree with every decision—stood tall in the face of public scrutiny. He never backed down from his belief in strong leadership, community strength, and necessary reform.
These men didn’t quit. They fought back. And their stories lit a fire in me.
I’ve taken that fire and turned it into fuel.
From the Fire to the Front Line
Today, my company works with departments across the country to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community. We’ve been honored by the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association, and I’ve been nominated as an honorary member of the National Sheriffs’ Association, the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association, the Florida Sheriffs Association, and the Police Benevolent Association of Georgia.
I also run four “Back the Blue” Facebook pages that connect more than 15,000 supporters—officers, families, and citizens who believe in ethical, honorable policing.
What I’ve Learned: Fix the Badge, Fix the Culture
Let’s stop dancing around the issue—law enforcement is in trouble. Not just from outside forces, but from within. And if we don’t face the truth, we’ll keep watching the system fall apart, one weak link at a time.
Internal Breakdown
The culture behind the badge has changed—and not for the better.
We used to have pride, discipline, and brotherhood. Commanders led from the front. Now? Too often we see weak leadership more worried about headlines than honor. Officers second-guess themselves because they’re one viral clip away from losing everything.
Standards have been lowered just to fill uniforms. Some recruits join for a paycheck, not the mission. And those who truly believe in the badge? They’re burning out—and being pushed out.
There’s one point we don’t talk about enough:
If you wear the badge, you must know the law.
Not just departmental policies. I’m talking about the Constitution, use of force, search and seizure, probable cause—front to back. Authority without legal knowledge isn’t strength; it’s a liability.
A badge in the wrong hands causes damage.
But in the right hands, backed by solid knowledge and purpose, it protects everyone.
External Pressure
On the street, the pressure is just as intense.
Public trust in law enforcement is eroding—and to be fair, some of that is on us. But a lot stems from being asked to solve issues we weren’t trained for. Officers are expected to handle addiction, mental illness, homelessness—and still fight crime with both hands tied behind their backs.
Meanwhile, media clips go viral before facts are known. Officers are judged in the court of public opinion before they even file their reports.
The Fix
So what’s the solution?
We raise the standard, not lower it.
We train smarter. We hire better.
We make legal knowledge part of the culture, not just a chapter in the academy.
We rebuild pride and discipline.
We restore leadership—commanders who support their people when they act with integrity.
We let officers do their jobs, and social workers do theirs. Know the difference. Respect both.
We rebuild community trust by showing up, being real, and standing firm when it counts.
Law enforcement isn’t just a job—it’s a calling.
But right now, it’s a system at war with itself.
To protect our communities, we must fix what’s broken inside the house first.
To Aspiring Officers: Don’t Give Up
I know many aspiring officers feel frustrated—called to serve, ready to make a difference—yet facing silence or rejection in the hiring process.
That passion—seeing the badge as a responsibility, not just a status symbol—is exactly what departments should want. But reality doesn’t always reflect that ideal.
Why?
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High Standards & Bureaucracy
The process is long: background checks, polygraphs, interviews, psychological exams. Even when departments say they’re hiring, it often feels like nothing is moving. -
Supply and Demand Gaps
Agencies may say they’re hiring, but internal politics, funding issues, or shifting priorities slow everything down. -
Image vs. Substance
Departments claim to want passion, but sometimes they prioritize “clean” resumes over real-life experience and grit. -
Cultural Fear
Departments under scrutiny may confuse strong character or outspokenness for risk—rejecting exactly the kind of people we need.
If you feel this in your bones—don’t let the process break you.
Sometimes it’s not about whether you’re good enough—it’s about finding the right department that sees what you bring.
The Road Ahead
We’ve got work to do.
But I still believe in the badge—when it’s worn right.
I believe in officers who lead with courage and clarity.
And I believe in building something better—together.
Fix the badge. Fix the culture. Know the law. Stand with purpose.
And everything else will follow.
— Devonta Sullivan, VFAF Vet Force Volunteer
