An open letter to the people of Apopka
Chief Michael McKinley
From Chief Michael McKinley of The Apopka Police Department
The Holiday Season brings out the best in people and each year around this time we see more ‘good’ in society than ‘bad’. However, if you watch the news, or you work in the law enforcement profession, you might become jaded and believe the threads that hold society together are unraveling. As we move through this season, I for one, just don’t buy into this.
The police profession is harder and more challenging than ever before. I hear it from the men and women at the agency all the time. Every week we learn of a police family that no longer has a father or mother or sister or brother. This takes a toll and makes one ask, “Why continue?”
During my thirty-three plus years in law enforcement, I have seen many changes and have learned that many of the things we see in society ebb and flow. Since becoming a member of the Apopka Police Department one of the things I have learned and cherish is that the Apopka community is solidly behind its police department. The overwhelming support provided to the men and women of the Apopka police department cannot be measured or compared against some of the things we see occurring in other communities across the country. From the community coming together to dedicate the 9-11 memorial at City Hall, to school children dropping off baked goods at the police station, we know we are appreciated.
Throughout the year, individuals and businesses donate money and goods to the Apopka Police Department so we can provide assistance to those in need. This season, we were able to provide gifts to almost 70 kids from Apopka during ‘Shop-with-a-Cop.’ We were able to give support to Loaves and Fishes, a community organization that provides food and hygiene items to individuals in need. I am not sure who gets more out of the giving, the officers or the recipients. These are only two of the many outreach projects Apopka police officers do for the community throughout the year and it would not be possible if not for the support we receive.
The support goes beyond the backing of these projects, it is the thanks the officers receive every day of the year. There have been innumerable times that members of the department have been at lunch and an unknown person(s) have picked up the tab, local restaurants have dropped off food at briefings, and people just come up to say, “Thanks for what you do.” These small tokens of appreciation mean a lot and do not go unnoticed. As we move to 2017, please continue to show your appreciation of your local law enforcement officers. They do the things you don’t want to do and they see the things you don’t want to see.
The Apopka police officers who work tirelessly for this community still feel there are more ‘Santas’ out there than ‘Grinches.’ Grinches get more publicity, but Santas exist, and are among us. I am proud to live in Apopka, proud to work at the Apopka Police Department and I am especially proud of the dedicated men and women of the Apopka police department.
For all the support the community has given us throughout the year, I want to say “Thank You”. On behalf of the men and women of the Apopka police department, we want you to know we appreciate everything you do for us and we look forward to working with and serving all of you.
Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year!
Mike McKinley
Apopka Police Department
