Police Choose Between Duty And Loved Ones Analysis

The United States can often feel like a divided country. However, when we face major natural disasters and tragedies throughout the year, we always come together to help one another. In situations like these, Police officers are faced with the dilemma of who they are obligated to help initially, the public or their families. I believe during a natural disaster, public officials and first responders, such as police men have a greater moral obligation to their individual families. It is immoral to punish police officers for abandoning their jobs during a crisis, if the officer’s reason is seen justifiable. In the USA TODAY article by Kevin Johnson, he writes about the story of the New Orleans police officer Paul Schubert. Schubert was fired from the New Orleans police department for leaving his job right before Hurricane Katrina in order to save his disabled wife. He was told his actions were “an unforgivable neglect of duty” (Kevin, Johnston. "Katrina Made Police Choose between Duty and Loved Ones.” 2016). While reading this essay, I was …show more content…
If we don’t protect and keep our loved ones first, before strangers, who else will? Obviously, Americans take on public service jobs to protect and serve. However, money will always play a significant role in taking on these demanding jobs as well. Although an income is important to survival, no amount of money should cause people to abandon their families. In conclusion, officer Paul Schubert of the New Orleans police department was faced with a no-win situation in which he made the decision that I, along with many others would have chosen also. He did not have money on his mind. He simply wanted to save his wife. This man was treated extremely unfairly and was wrongfully stripped of his job for a choice he felt was justified. Everyone has a moral obligation to their families before anyone else and should not be punished for