There is not much in this world that police officers, throughout their careers, have not seen or dealt with in the line of duty. Their exposure to the diverse realm of society's dysfunctional aspects, some individual misfits along the way, and the nature of a variety of absolutely horrific crimes that, to an ordinary citizen, might be conceivable only in a fictional movie, lend credence to their reality-based perspectives that may, at times, be fueled with cynicism and disillusionment.

In short, cops have seen and heard it all, and it takes a lot to shock them. On a daily basis, they face dangerous environments, complex situations, and diverse challenges. However, in their work, they can also see the positive side of life and are better able to appreciate the good things they may possess and experience in their own personal lives.

Whether they are parents or not, and based on the looking glass of their careers, many cops have a valid understanding of the importance of proper parenting and the overall effect it has on children. For those who are parents, they may become better parents as a result of this awareness gleaned from their work and life experiences.

Children are innocent, vulnerable, and dependent upon adults for their care, sustenance, and nurturing. How they are treated and the environment in which they are raised is significant in the developmental stages of their lives and their outcome as healthy and productive individuals as they grow and mature. Both their physical and emotional needs must be met, and they not only deserve but have the right to be safe and secure.

For cops who are supposed to maintain an objective approach at all times, probably one of the most difficult issues they have to deal with is child abuse. Oftentimes, the nature of what they see and hear is profoundly disturbing, and it is not uncommon for them to be greatly impacted by their exposure to some of the most unconscionable acts on children.

A case in point is the recent one in Los Angeles, California, in which a 5-year-old, over a period of time, was reportedly tortured by his mother and her girlfriend. The young victim was allegedly burned all over his body with cigarettes, had his hand held over a stove and burned to the degree he could not completely open his hand, his genitals were burned, he was forced to sit in his own urine and feces, and he had a tooth broken with an exposed nerve. He was apparently physically and psychologically abused over the course of time.