Sheriff Goes Viral For Saying 'It's Not The Job Of The Officer To Raise Your Kid'

Spurred on by speculation from outside of law enforcement, Sheriff Wigington shared some thoughts about police shootings in the recent news cycle on Facebook, and his comments have since gone viral.

"The public is quick to jump on the officers involved stating a need for more training, better de-escalation tactics, and possibly shooting the subject in the leg," he wrote in his post. "Let me address these so called solutions."

"First this is not the old west movies and a leg wound is just as serious as a shot to center mass. When the use of deadly force is warranted that is exactly what it is DEADLY FORCE, not flesh wound force, not any other words to describe it just deadly force."

"As for the training of officers, we must have continuing education hours the entire time we are officers," he wrote. "Officers have state mandated schools that are required to keep their license. Officers have so much training that is required in some cases it is hard to find the time to complete the CE's. Training from family violence, cultural diversity to interaction with canines and everything you could possibly think."

"On de-escalation tactics, these only work when the subject is willing to listen and not in a rage," he wrote. "Just like when we as parents had a child throwing a fit, they would not listen well the same goes for adults."

"Officers have to make decisions of life and death in a matter of seconds that attorney's [sic], judges, and the general public can debate for years and possibly forever," he wrote. "It easy to post an opinion on social media as to 'how I would have handled it' instead of armchair quarterbacks we now have armchair police. If a person thinks they could handle the situation differently I encourage them to join an academy and become an officer."

"Now as for the final thought, IT IS NOT THE JOB OF THE OFFICER TO RAISE YOUR KID," Sheriff Wigington wrote. "Parents need to take responsibility for the actions of their FAILURE to raise their child to be respectful, responsible and listen to authority figures. Little tip...sometimes your kid is wrong and needs to be disciplined. Jumping on teachers, coaches etc. All their life gives the kids a feeling they can do no wrong and they do not have to comply with authority figures."

"Parents need to be parents to their kids not their best friends," Sheriff Wigington continued.

"So help your child, be a parent, teach them manners, responsibility, how to work, respect for themselves and respect for others. We have gotten away from treating others as we wish to be treated we need to go back to that soon. By the time that Law Enforcement has to get involved in your child's life its usually past time to be a parent."

"Agree with all you are saying Doc!" wrote one person. "I think that in many of the stories you hear about, if the subject would just respect the officer then escalation might not be necessary! And respect is learned as a child and so important! Yes there are probably a few bad cops that want to throw their weight around but I firmly believe 99% just want to do their job."

"Thank you for stating the words that we all need to hear 'teach your children to be respectful, responsible and listen to authority figures' and to comply with law enforcement," wrote another.

"I don't think anyone was under the impression that it was law enforcement's job to raise children. I would think, though, that it would be law enforcement's job to not kill them unnecessarily," wrote one person.

"Sometimes cops are also out of line and need to be disciplined, but you don't want to talk about that," another person wrote. "Look, I'm all about not raising kids in a disrespectful house but a customer service rep at a call center deescalates a bad situation faster than a cop, we have a problem. Everybody should be deescalating."

"Sheriff, with all due respect, all parents expect their children, as the public expects, to be protected and served by law enforcement," one person wrote. "Unfortunately, many in your ranks take extrajudicial measures and are easily corrupted."

"What about the many police officers who do not treat citizens with manners, responsibility, or respect?" wrote another. "You blame parents, but how do you hold your peers responsible? If cops prefer to draw their weapon to save their own skin, shouldn't they expect to be treated the same way by citizens as they are treating citizens?

"My children are taught respect, they are taught to obey any command THAT WON'T HARM YOU, but they are also taught to fear officers... Hands up, mouths closed, don't make any sudden movements and make sure the officer can see your hands the whole time," she wrote. "If they ask for your identification ask them to get it for you, because reaching for it could get you killed. You are a black man, you are perceived as big and dangerous. Your life doesn't matter to anyone but you and me. Not all officers are bad but you won't be able to tell when they pull you over. You have to be careful at all times."

What do you think about Sheriff Wigington's post? Let us know in the comments!

h/t: Facebook | Throckmorton County Sheriff's Office